Hegner scroll
saws are well known for their quality. In this review I
share with you my impressions on the model Multicut 2S
with variable speed. |
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The sturdy body of the Hegner
Multicut 2S is made of cast iron. It stands firmly almost anywhere.
With standard motor speeds no vibrations are felt, for very high
speeds you simply fix the saw to a table. Its 46 cm of
gooseneck (18 inches) provide ample space even for pieces far beyond
the usual sizes. Blade tension is set with an easy to reach
knob located in the rear of the arm. |
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The first impression you get is that
this scroll saw is designed with quality in mind, every part looks
good and strong.
A vacuum cleaner can be fit into a
especially designed tube to take away most of the saw dust.
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The Hegner scroll saw uses blade
clamps on the bottom blade end, which permits easy interchanging and
replacement of
blades. |
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Mounting the blade on the clamp is
an easy operation with the help of a small cavity with the exact
size of the clamp. You simply hold
the blade in position and tight the blade holder with the provided
tool. |
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The blade is then encased in
position
below the cutting table. |
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The upper part of the blade is held
by the quicklock tension release system (not in all Hegner models). Making a large number of inner cuts is
very easy, the upper blade end can be mounted, tensioned and released once and again
without effort: |
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You simply insert the blade in the blade
holder slot, |
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hold it by tightening the wheel, |
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and you reset the tension by pushing forward
the red handle. To release the blade you do the same in
reverse order. This process can be repeated many times and becomes
very effective and automatic.
Cutting quality can be described with just one word: excellent, even
with thick and hard woods.
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This model has a variable speed
control, between 400 and 1400 revolutions. I have never used more
than 1000. |
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The table can be tilted to a maximum
of 45 degrees. |
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The tilting degree
is controlled precisely by a graduated ruler.
This was my first scroll saw and I am
convinced I will never need another one, at most replace parts of
course. When I was hesitating which scroll
saw to buy Mike Moorlach recommended me to buy this one. Now I know
he was very right and I am grateful for his valuable advice. Sitting
in front of this machine and turning it on is always a nice
experience. |
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This picture is
courtesy of Tom Cocks from the United States. It shows the table he
has specifically designed for the Hegner scroll saw. Tom Cocks is a
member of the Carolina Scrollers Scroll saw club. |
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You can buy this scroll saw at Amazon at a very convenient
price by clicking on the left link. This recommendation is for
people living in the U.S.A. People living anywhere else should
contact their local Hegner dealers. You can also visit my
scroll saw
shopping recommendations page for other shopping suggestions. |
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Mike has sent me a few Flying Dutchman scroll reverse saw
blades for review. I had never tried these ones. |
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They have the particularity that they have upward and downward teeth. This design
produces remarkably clear cuts, without fuzz on the bottom of the wood. Standard
blades with all teeth downwards leave lots of fuzz on the bottom of the wood. The
picture on the right is the bottom of 1/2 inch plywood. The right side has been cut
with a high quality but standard blade, and a lot of fuzz is visible. The left side
is cut with one of Mike's blades. The cut is remarkably clear, no sanding is
necessary. This can be very practical with projects that involve many inner and
small cuts.
These blades are a discovery for me and I very much recommend them. If you live
in U.S.A. they are for sure your best option. They are called the FD-SR blades.
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