Weekend Workshop - A Review - Hegner Scroll Saw

[@joeyboyle7512]

*This is my second WEN tool and they are both great **MyBest.Tools** I needed to do some trim work around the house and needed a scroll saw for the intricate work. No complaints so far.*

[@martindudley7866]

Hi, Ben. I have a Multicut 2S, bought in 1991...it looks pretty much the same as yours, except the blower on mine is a neoprene pipe, not a segmented one. It's served me brilliantly over the years and I recently contacted Hegner for some spares - they were very helpful and prompt with the delivery; their technical chaps are really easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. I noticed that when you fitted the blade carrier to the top arm, you tightened the screw right down. There's a spring around the thread; the holding screw should be backed off a bit to allow the carrier to "hinge" as the arms oscillate. If you tighten the screw right down, the blade flexes during its stroke, reducing the effectiveness of the cut, causing it to overheat and not cut well. It looks like the blade could do with a bit more tension, too...think high E string...! Just a couple of observations, not a lecture....honest...! Great report and loving your enthusiasm for superb tools. My Shaptons arrived last Friday...woohoo...!

[@esa062]

Did you notice the blade tightness adjustment in the back? The blade seemed to flex a lot, hence the out-of-straightness.

[@TheCarvingman]

I like how Hegner scroll saw works, no noisy, no shaking , way better than Dewalt, Excalibur and Delta =D congratulations, very good video........

[@tcscroller]

I have two of these and its by far the very best saw on the market today---------

[@carlkrebs1]

when you cut your inlays of shell or stone use a backing substrate epoxied to aluminum , corian or brass scrap . it will make it a lot easier when cutting small inlays at a 5 - 10 degree angle to perfectly fit in the hole correctly without shattering so much . ive done this on clocks for many years . another older piece of equipment in your line of work you may want to get ahold of if you don't have one is an older gorton engraver or a Hermes . they are priceless on doing delicate cutwork and inlays . your going to find inlay work of this sort is very addicting !

[@kigtod]

I love your enthusiasm but take a moment to read the manual regarding blade changing a little closer. When clamping the blade it says insert it until you hit the screw and then withdraw it a little so that tightening the screw doesn't move the blade. Also the top blade clamp is not tightened down, but should have about a 1mm gap. Most KZbin videos on this saw get that last point wrong.

[@rylar4663]

This is an underappreciated review.

[@johnconway8492]

Hi Ben , I noticed you tightened that upper blade clamp. That upper clamp should be just loose enough so that it pivots. This way there is no stress on the blade,

[@thewrabbit8623]

You are quite correct John, the top clamp need to have a clearance of around one millimetre, allowing the blade to swivel slightly in its housing and maintain a true cut.

[@SamGamgee8012]

For inlay cutting i would set it up for a slight angle, so that there will be a little space at the bottom of the inlay, just in case the edge inside the cavity is not absolutely perfect.

[@tadeuszzasepa3285]

Hi, thank you for the video. I'm interested in next part when you`ll be doing the guitar using it :) I have same saw and it's flawless. The weak point is when you are doing angle cuts. Thickness of the material is limited and it's awkward to keep the material not orthogonally to the floor... I hope you don't mind to receive some tips: - tighten upper clamp before you`ll put tension on the blade. The clamp holder need to pop up into the small hole on the clamp. It was the cause that your blade was bent - don't push so hard wood against the blade and you`ll get more perpendicullar cuts. - turn around the piece-holder. It should be from left side. - you`ll have better results if you`ll give few passes with fine grade sand paper over the blades. Good luck!

[@Bob_Burton]

I don't recall hearing any mention of blade tension in this video which I would have thought fundamental to its operation. Did I miss it ?

[@kiwdwks]

Awesome...thanks for the video! Looks like a great saw.

[@TheCaptbob1]

Read the instruction book BEFORE using the saw!! You did not tension the blade with the rear tension adjustment!!

[@stephengent9974]

Have you tried using a hand router plane? Would take longer to make a trussed channel, but you can get great results, and no dust. Hunger looks awesome.

[@simonecamplani2430]

anyway, talking about handsaws, here in Italy Cremonese luthoers teach US ti use turning saws to cut thick stuff tight and fast

[@stevengoodman7311]

I disassembled the on off switch that was defective, replaced the switch, but lost the pictures that showed how the wires were connected. Now I have no idea how to put this back together. Could you open up the switch box & snap a few pics of the wiring so I can put mine back together? That would be great!

[@JosephUsher]

Hegner makes a great scroll saw indeed. RBI makes equally nice machines. My RBI 20" Hawk is still working just a good and is just as accurate as it was the day I bought it new in 1988.

[@viatierra]

I've had the chance to use Hegners several times and they are really wonderful. But for the price you could by 5-6 small band saws that would probably do a better job of doing the kinds of things a guitar builder requires. I don't think this is really a sensible "middle of the road" option. Still, I love the channel Ben. I'm so inspired!

[@dinavillagran1957]

How can I fix the tensioner of the multicut 2 s saw, since when cutting the wood it loosens and I cannot continue cutting.

[@evandovskaya1266]

Great review. Liked it very much

[@carlkrebs1]

Ok , where's the next scrollsaw vid ? Let's see you do some fine inlay in shell and metal with it . I've been messing with these saws since 89 . It's amazing what you can do with em . I do VERY. Ornate grandfather clocks by commission , it pays me well , along with my leatherwork .

[@woodturnermark8529]

Well worth the money! A very nice saw.

[@townsey5612]

Ben, I have decided too build a Violin. I have done several Guitar related things but nothing as complicated as a carved top. What Gouges and planes do you suggest I get?

[@michaelmcsky]

i have the same machine. I have the problem that the saw always drifts to to one direction if I want to make a lineal line. How did you get a such perfect lines?

[@kiivje]

Congrats with your new machine! Reminds me of Deep Purple!

[@tombryan720]

It also takes spiral blades right?

[@lion39]

Blade system is a bit fidgety compare to typical scroll saw blades with pins on each end of the blade. The foot switch is a nice feature though.

[@PetefromTexas]

Great video Ben!

[@johnklein668]

Hey Ben, I'm getting ready to start a new build, and just for a quick overview, it's going to be another N4 style guitar with a 3pc body (either koa or walnut sides with a curly maple center) with a baked curly maple neck and fingerboard. I'm really interested in tye Vigier neck design, and was wondering if you might be able to shed some light on how its done? Seeing as baked maple is already ridiculously stable, I'd really like to understand more about how and why the Vigier design work and how its done. Is it really as simple as routing the maple and gluing a stick of carbon fiber in, then shaping it? if the headstock is angled and I'm using a scarf joint, does it have to go all the way to the end of the headstock or just up to the actual point where it begins to angle back? Also, any advice, comments, etc on the EVO fret wire? All gold hardware for the build has peaked my interest in those shiny gold tasties, especially against a baked curly maple board! Thanks so much Ben cheers!!!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Hey John, check out podcast 153, going live later today.. I have a bit of a rant on the subject :)

[@scubart]

Now have a look at how you can switch blades on a Pégas 👍🏻😏

[@griffithstoby]

Great video. Where do you get your blades?

[@dickchiggas1514]

Where did you get that scroll pattern on your head?

[@carlkrebs1]

Dick Chiggas from the hazmat unit......give it a lick .....hahaha

[@189harvesterofsorrow]

I would like to see you build an explorer or a flying v.

[@larscw74]

I've never heard of Hegner, I understood the Excalibur was the scroll saw to go with. Do have to say I like the color of the Hegner and generally German build machines last a lifetime. Wouldn't an angle on inlays create a larger glue surface or is it so minute that it's not worth the extra effort?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

One of our head toolmakers was a design and technology teacher for about 10 years, he said in that time they tried several makes (I'm assuming excalliber was one) and the hegner were the only scroll saws the kids just couldn't break :) I think it would improve glueing area by such a small amount I can't see much benefit. However with marquetry, I think, people use angled cuts for a 'slip fit' where you get a better, less visible, joint.. This could work for inlay too I suppose but I've not ever tried it.. Could be fun?

[@larscw74]

+Crimson Custom Guitars I will have to look up what marquetry exactly is. My path to the excalibur started watching Steve Garrison's video's on youtube, who makes these awesome nautilus shells. He uses a scrollsaw without an angling head, like your Hegner. Doing more research and seeing another video, I saw someone use an Excalibur EX21. While typing this up, talking to my wife, asking her if she remembers me saying something about, it I get the answer. "Try looking at Avalon" Sorry, I lost my train of thought after she started saying things like "The guy with the tv running in his shop" (Jason Beam) and "The guy in the baby bed" (Matt Cremona) She doesn't know the names of the guys in the video's so I get descriptions like that thrown at me. To get back to my rambling. The Excalibur allows for quick release of the blades, the top arm swings up and you can angle the blade so your work surface is always flat. I'd like to hear updates on tools like this, something like a 6 month or 12 month review, just to hear how the tools take the abuse. From seeing your review, I think you might have to buy more blade holders as those might tend to lead a life of their own if you do not watch out.

[@Le0n_2jz]

these are like the ones we use at our school

[@MravacKid]

Conclusion: "My name is Ben Crowe, and I'm a tool addict" :)

[@SCCFORUM]

Hi What do you do with your off cuts? RegardsPaul

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Generally make them into tool handles in our luthiers tool business. www.crimsonguitars.com/shop

[@NoyzyBoyZ3]

It's Aluminum Ben! From the looks of things,I'm guessing you would be able to cut out a body on that thing if you absolutely needed to,but it doesn't seem to be the best way to do so. I'm no expert on woodworking,just a guitar player who enjoys your videos,and thought he should put in his two cents worth! So,carry on Sir and thank you for the videos!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I wasn't sure what the main body was cast from, I think they use both. I will always recommend a good bandsaw if possible but so many of our followers don't have space for that and I've been looking at alternatives, in that case a jigsaw could do but they are finicky and rough and the hegner is neither. The best thing is it can be used for inlay, scratchplate and even metal work too equally as well.. I'm swiftly becoming a fan. Thanks for watching and for your support!

[@NoyzyBoyZ3]

+Crimson Custom Guitars I can understand why,it looks to be very well built,and the compact size doesn't hurt! Enjoy your Sunday,have a great week,and thanks for writing back.

[@scrollsawpassion2497]

That blade change would be a real pain in the behind for fret work where you might have 50 different cuts in a single pattern....

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

for the simple tools build it would be great to see chisels being used instead of a router, routing with hand tools is a bit of a lost art nowadays and few things beat the satisfaction of chiselling out a perfect cavity.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I agree, I will certainly do a video just about this.. I'll have to learn how in the process but it should be fun :)

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

awesome! looking forward to seeing it.

[@TheCarvingman]

Mikail Elchanovanich i agree, i always used chisels, i only used Scroll or rotating for making toys , spinner or charms, but when i doo a nice sculpture, museum quality, i used chisels and XACTO carving knife, everything by hand, hard work and more spiritual empowerment on the sculpture, Blessings☆

[@mosfet500]

You're not supposed to tighten the top screw down hard on the blade holder, it's just supposed to keep it from coming out.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Very true

[@alihaggis78]

It looked to my eyes like you had the work piece clamp/indicator guide thing sitting on the wrong side of the blade.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Yes, yes I did :( realised about 10 minutes after the filming finished :/

[@TomKrall]

That thing is awesome.

[@joshuatwhaley-novelist]

I've had 4 different scroll saw brands, Dremel, Craftsman, Porter Cable and now a Excalibur. I can honestly say none of the others can compare to the Excalibur's ease of use, lack of vibration and motor with no cavitation. but thanks to your video I now see where Jet stole their idea for blade instalation. they stole the overall design from Excalibur except for blade installation. I will say your new saw is great begin German made but the vibration seems to high for very fine scroll work. I know I writing 10 months after your video, so the question is, have you had any issues in that time?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

+Joshua Whaley no issues at all except the vibration and it turns out that was mostly my fault, I had it poorly set up for this video. With a good stable base she is as stable as anything I've seen. Though I must say I've not met an excalliber saw before..

[@joshuatwhaley-novelist]

Crimson Custom Guitars if you ever get a chance to check one out, do so. They are amazing machines. if it's on a concrete floor under full speed it'll pass a nickel test. instead of the table tilting the machine itself tilt while the table stays level and the upper arm extends upward helping you if you're a bottom feeder. however it $900 US they are quite spendy. But I will say this, even though the Excalibur is built like a Sherman tank, I'm willing to bet your scroll saw is still better made just by the simple fact of being Made in Germany.

[@loicleboursicault9241]

Joshua Whaley de y

[@Igorlp55]

Hi Ben! Love your videos! Could you tell your sister to boost audio a fev dBs? Audio level is very low. Greetings from Croatia!

[@allanmowz]

The volume in the youtube video stream is good. It'll be a problem on your end. Since I download these for my crappy connection speed, I checked it in my audio editor. The audio is actually clipping in the youtube version which means it won't get any louder. It has a few loud spikes that could be cut back but nothing major. For my own voice recording work, like this, I run a compressor over it to level out the spikes and then normalize the audio all to -2dB max which allows for any clipping that might take place in mp3 conversion. Done in Audacity (free of course 'cause I have scottish ancestry).

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Ben. love the info you put out. its a big help to me

[@necropolisarts1524]

When can we expect the video of building a guitar with few tools as possible? Grettings from Germany, Ostholstein

[@JgHaverty]

My unified theorem for males is summed up by my very simple equation. the objects we currently have (tools, guitars, etc) represented by "X" The objects we currently NEED, represented by "Y" Y = X + 1 Unified Male Theorem. Will be writing a proof soon ;)

[@ian-c.01]

I think this is a bit OTT for a guitar build with minimal tools, surely the whole point of that idea is due to minimal funds. Try cutting out the body with a coping saw or fret saw then shape it with rasps, that would be the way most (sensible) people on a budget would do it.

[@ian-c.01]

***** Yes a jigsaw would work but the problem with them is that they were not meant to be used on thick wood. The blade tends to deflect a lot which means the cut is not perpendicular to the sole plate so you have to stay well clear of the lines to be sure you don't over cut them. That means a hell of a lot of rasping down to final size. With a coping saw you can get much closer to the line.

[@JgHaverty]

ITS SO FUCKING QUIET! My scroll saw sounds like a god damn fighter jet, I didn't know they came this quiet haha

[@JgHaverty]

+JgHaverty Wow, at that price it better come with a toilet paper attachment to wipe my ass too lol. Yes yes, I know, I want one, its outside of my scope and I know you will use it for what its worth. congrats sir.

[@thesmokedeck]

I’m saving for a Hegner and it costs as much as my grizzly band saw

[@simonaldridge82]

little more tension required Ben

[@cplcombat]

Do your scroll saw patterns come from in your head or on it. 🤣

[@Wooddragon45]

...nice machine tool...

[@Scrimjer]

Name it

[@Cadw]

Sick!

[@tcscroller]

first thing I would do is remove the guard------it will get in the way----------

[@benjaminstorm3910]

Build a guitar using nothing but your favourite bradawl and your bare hands.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Or just using your teeth ?

[@РусланАбдуллаев-х4ы]

класс!

[@the1000expert]

Your kids playing with a black magic marker ?

[@larrywalden8893]

First time with a scroll saw I think.

[@tcscroller]

suggest to leave in the top clamp and remove blade instead-------you are making it more difficult to use--------I never use that blade at all----------I always use the PM blades regardless of thickness ------a number 7 or 9 would more than cut that wood and it would be clean------that blade will not allow you to do clean tight curves----------

[@jonathanbell899]

Watch this video for inspiration for using as fewer tools as possible kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2K5dX2qYraga7M

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

The blade already gets crooked with you tightening that top part. Loosen it and let the blade do its work.

[@thesmokedeck]

How in the world do you consider a Hegner “in the middle” 😂

[@charlescabrera5259]

😂😂

[@chuckmitchell8234]

I had as Hegner scroll saw and gave it away. It had the worse vibration and bounced too much to deal with.

[@theRussianJiu]

Baby Bam Bam Bigilo.

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

@20.21 shits burning.......tighten the blade in the back yo.

[@josipmustac3291]

I dont know man i am not sure that this machine is perfect for cuting out guitar bodies because as i sas in video you need to be very very cerful about pressure you put on so the cut stays perfectly straight

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

It's all to do with the blade at that thickness, I'll do another video soon seeing just what can be done.. Maybe a comparison between jigsaw, hand saw, hegner scroll saw and a bandsaw?

[@josipmustac3291]

+Crimson Custom Guitars that would be great man,looking forward to see that video,cheers

[@wmw0702]

This thing's very expensive but look how bad it vibrates....

[@iamrocketray]

Had to stop watching!! I love the saw BUT i couldn't afford it in a month of Sundays(do people still say that)so i have to stop torturing myself and look for a less expensive option.

[@nicobogaard2315]

Ray Tillman although long time ago since you reacted on this vid. I did have a ‘Topcraft’ 99gbp machine I refitted it with an Axminster set of clamps and used the machine with very acceptable results. Then I met the limitations of the Topcraft machine. Movement in the arm from left to right making it impossible to ‘lean into’ the sawing cut. Lots of vibrations which became annoying when you advance in sawing. Long story short. I went for a second hand Hegner, the oldest model which I got for a modest 175€uros. The dust blower is a drag but the machine cuts straight without vibrations or any ‘slag’. I am a stepfurther on the scrollsawing ladder.

[@tcscroller]

your using the wrong blade--------the wood is burning and your using a poor blade

[@PeterDUBBAHEAD]

Who on earth was the camera guy?! No offence but it was very distracting

[@Andyjpro]

Titillate

[@robbrown6495]

Sorry, find it difficult to take advice from anyone who has tattooed his head.

[@Simonfrios]

judge the content, not the dude

[@robbrown6495]

@@Simonfrios If the guy has tattooed his shaved head, I'm not even going to waste my time listening to the content. Tattoos are hardly recognised as a global symbol of intelligence.

[@shabehalre7]

.

[@mikionagai1]

ヘグナーより　坊主頭のタトゥーが気になる！

[@TerryTerryTerry]

Blade tension wrong. Tune by ear. Far too slack.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

yes, I really was not on top of my game when I filmed this.. B

[@cemoiidem5102]

How useful are these tattoos? You should take a hat

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Very very useful thank you. Helps me find out the sort of people I actually want to talk to and those who are immature enough to judge someone based on looks rather than deeds. B

[@rhshel]

wow, for all the hype about Hegner Saws, I'm not impressed! This thing jumps and vibrates like hell. I have a Hawk 26" depth old RBI and its so much smoother than this thing!