Variable speed or not

[bobby01]

Hi all
1st post on here, hi. I'm looking at getting a scroll saw but with a limited budget. I'm looking at the axminster awfs18 variable speed and Hegner multicut 1 scroll saw singe speed
I know hegner by name is very good but single speed. Whilst the awfs is variable with generally positive reviews overall but with bad ones as well. I'll be using it for soft and hard woods, xmas decorations, compound cuts, basic angel shapes to name plates etc etc.

In the long run would a variable speed be better

Bobby

 

[toesy]

If it was my choice, I would go for the hegner over the extra feature, BUT I have variable on my H., and I like it.

So if budget was the limiting factor - I'd buy the AWFS18

 

[Stooby]

I had the same choice and went with the axminster and haven't regretted it. I use the variable speed a lot.

 

[scrimper]

I would not buy a scroll saw without variable speed, variable speed makes it much easier for cutting thin wood or intricate patterns and of course metals, it also makes it much easier to learn for a beginner to scrollsawing.

 

[toesy]

3 out of 3 ain't bad = your answer

 

[Bryan Bennett]

Hi Bobby a very warm welcome to the Forum,I have been a member on here for just over a year.I own a Hegner Multicut 1 single speed which is getting on a bit.The only part that has replaced is the blade tension spring,I can see the advantage of a lower speed but it hasn't been a problem to me not having it.
I was lucky to have bought mine not knowing at the time others were available,and did not have to choose which one to buy : ,the choice is yours and I hope that which ever you choose gives you the service for years to come. :roll:


Bryan

 

[smoggy49]

Hi Bobby,
I like Bryan am relatively new to the forum and scrolling. I scoured the pages as a "lurker" reading all the advice re variable or not and of course which manufacturer. I know that there are many who say they no longer use the variable once set to a speed that suits them or even full speed . However I'm not one of those (maybe that ability comes with practice) I use it all of the time, I think with out it I would forever be wishing I had it. Id go as far as saying without being able to slow the cut down there are some patterns I wouldn't be able to cut. As I said that might be my lack of ability but that's my two penneth anyway!

Good luck
Chas

 

[ChrisR]

Hi Bobby.

Welcome to the forum.

I have a variable speed Hegner, 95% of the time it runs on full speed, but it’s invaluable to have the option of slower speeds when as Scrimper said the need to cut very thin material or very intricate cuts, plus metal cutting.

Hegner, Axminster, Axminster, Hegner, the choice has to be yours, I am obviously biased to Hegner, but whichever your choice, I would strongly recommend you have a saw with variable speed, keep in mind that that if you purchase a single speed Hegner, it cannot be upgraded to variable speed, at a latter date, not economically anyway.

Take care.

Chris R

 

[finneyb]

+1 for variable speed.

 

[bobby01]

Many thanks all, seem the AWFS 18 wins. Blades what kind/size of blades should I have or can you direct me to a resource where it explains this to me???

 

[ChrisR]

Have a look on the Hegner UK site, they have a small amount of info plus their blade price is completive if you purchase at the gross rate, this is where I purchase all of my blades.

Blade type depends on the work you intend to carry out, as a guide I carry out a great verity of work, and my main go to blades are No 3,5 & 7 reverse tooth.

Hope this is a little help.

Chris R

 

[finneyb]

https://www.mikesworkshop.com/whatblad.htm may be helpful to you.

Axi do a mixed blade pack that would get you started. http://www.axminster.co.uk/pegas-scroll ... mixed-pack

Brian