Author Topic: Hegner Scroll Saw  (Read 6031 times)

Offline Jo

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Hegner Scroll Saw
« on: August 13, 2017, 03:55:11 PM »
Ok, so I had a scroll saw (blue thingy in the background)  and it was not very good  :disappointed: It did prove a little useful for pattern making so when I saw this one I questioned it. Then my Supplier told me that other than it missing varispeed I needed it  :noidea: So he put it in the back of his car and dropped it home for me  :thinking:

I am hoping it will cut metal  :headscratch: and I am already aware of it being an early one without the toggle clamp on the blade but I have come up with a cheap way of doing that  :naughty:

And I am not impressed with its mounting arrangement  :ShakeHead: the previous owner would seem to have used it in his folding workstand/workmate  :hellno:


Thoughts gentlemen...

Jo
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Offline cfellows

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2017, 04:10:21 PM »
I've been watching some youtube videos and reading a bit about scroll saws.  Apparently the blade you use is every bit as important if not more so than the scroll saw itself.  Look for some good, metal-cutting blades like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Pegas-Swiss-Cutting-Platinum-Sawblades/dp/B00MWB3UT8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502636974&sr=8-2&keywords=metal+cutting+scroll+saw+blades

Chuck
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2017, 04:29:40 PM »
Looks much the same as mine ... MultiCut -2. not variable speed.

Bought mine years ago. Used it a lot when I was into boats then it got ignored for about 20 years  :headscratch:

Blades are crucial ... use the Hegner ones, they do work. Others are a lottery ...

I did get some from ebay that were just as good but a lot cheaper but forget where, but others I have used [1] were absolute rubbish.



Dave

[1] 'Used' is boasting, they don't last long enough to be tensioned .....  :cussing:  :cussing:




Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2017, 05:17:35 PM »
Snap  :)

Thanks Guys for the advice on the blades. It looks like this machine has not been used, or at least has next to no use only three of the blades are missing and all of the original Hegner ones are still there  ;D I found some Indian jeweller's blades that I will assume are substandard and only fit for wood or plastic use. I also have some German blades but not many are metal cutting blades  :(

The machine is off that horrible bit of  :censored: chipboard. Seems to run ok, its a heavy old lump.... I also picked up a RS foot switch than I was thinking of fitting to it  :thinking:

Jo
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Offline gerritv

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2017, 05:23:24 PM »
Jo, they're also useful for other things like sanding: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=65465&cat=1,42500

I have a very old Sears scroll saw that will soon have its filing option in full use again. They came with 1/4" holder for files with an adapter used for blades.
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2017, 05:32:54 PM »
Snap  :)

Thanks Guys for the advice on the blades. It looks like this machine has not been used, or at least has next to no use only three of the blades are missing and all of the original Hegner ones are still there  ;D I found some Indian jeweller's blades that I will assume are substandard and only fit for wood or plastic use. I also have some German blades but not many are metal cutting blades  :(

The machine is off that horrible bit of  :censored: chipboard. Seems to run ok, its a heavy old lump.... I also picked up a RS foot switch than I was thinking of fitting to it  :thinking:

Jo



https://www.hegner.co.uk/products/spares-accessories/scrollsaw-blades-accessories/scrollsaw-blades/blade-selection-packs.html

Beware some really horrendous prices on Amazon for Hegner blades....  :ThumbsUp:

Try the Indian blades, don't write them off until you know they're unsuitable.

If you're chomping at soft stuff, ie. 6082 and the like, the wood blades seem to work reasonably well providing you use a suitable TPI  :ThumbsUp:

Dave
« Last Edit: August 13, 2017, 05:37:48 PM by Bluechip »

Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2017, 06:15:55 PM »
Thanks Gerrit, that is an interesting idea. I did think about converting the old fret saw to a filing machine but I suspect there are much better designs around.

Wow Dave, it looks like Hagner are one of the cheapest place for blades. Before I go spending more moths  :paranoia: I think I may need to have a play with these. I'm tempted to put the machine out in the Porkiebin for now but I have a tendency to forget about my third workshop and the goodies out there  :ShakeHead:  :wallbang:  :old:

Jo
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2017, 08:02:47 PM »
Porkiebin ?   Wossat ?

Dave

Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2017, 08:34:13 PM »
Porkiebin ?   Wossat ?

PortaKabin.... Those leaky units you see all over industrial sites, used as site offices. Dave, I thought you had seen the one I had down the end of the garden, 20ft by 10ft shed in anyone else's language. Insulation less than 1" so you froze in winter and cooked in summer and the roof water proofing never lasted that long so you ended up with a build in shower when ever it rained. Mine now sports a corrugated iron roof (which the birds think is wonderful with all those wobbly holes along the edges as it provides a good nesting site in the spring: but I wouldn't like to be a chick under there on a spring hot day :hellno: ). I intend on replacing the insulation with some modern (cheap, preferably free  :naughty: ) stuff when the opportunity arises.

The lack of insulation means is not good for storing veggies as spring turns to summer :disappointed: But For the last few years that has been my veggie storage unit  :-\

Jo
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Offline Jasonb

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2017, 08:50:47 PM »
It is good for making steel go rusty though ;)

Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2017, 09:07:19 PM »
Portakabin   :)  ... Thank God for that, I was having all sorts of lurid thoughts involving pigs ...  :insane:

Insulation ????   I have a fair bit of this left over from doing out my garage:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016ADKDG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would think maybe half left.

Any good 2 U ?

Dave

Thinking about it, probably more than half left  ... :thinking:

Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2017, 07:19:55 AM »
Insulation ????   I have a fair bit of this left over from doing out my garage:

Any good 2 U ?

Yes, that would be handy. I was thinking about fibre glass stuff but the idea of trying to fit it above my head with the dust showering down :ShakeHead: and Celotex would cost more than the Porkiebin is worth.

Jo
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2017, 07:38:59 AM »
Yours !!!
Another bit I don't have to drag to the tip ...  :)

Dave

Offline Jasonb

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2017, 08:04:52 AM »
You can buy slightly damaged Celotex/kingspan for a lot less than new, usually has a few dings, punctured foil and the odd missing corner.

I've only used the multilayer quilt once but seems to work well provided you avoid squashing it and a lot easier to put into the back of a Scooby then fibreglass or rigid boards.  :)


Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2017, 08:20:29 AM »
I used that stuff as a vapour barrier.
It's not like the 'aluminised bubble wrap'. It's thin, 3-4mm at a guess.
Although it does seem to make the garage warmer ...  :headscratch:
Err ... either that or the generous dollops of Lamb's Navy Rum in my coffee ..  ;D

Not being in the trade I don't really know.  I only had some 25-30mm between the concrete panels and the ( now ) 11mm OSB3 inner skin and I wasn't about to
indulge in even more flamin' civil engineering to make room for anything thicker.  Noooooo Sireee  I weren't...






Dave



Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #15 on: August 14, 2017, 08:37:32 AM »
Bubble Wrap  :thinking: I seem to get lots of that stuff  :thinking:

Portakabin   :)  ... Thank God for that, I was having all sorts of lurid thoughts involving pigs ...  :insane:

:hellno:

Clearly, someone is still thinking about the recent miss hap on Andrew's shed build, it would have been better without the photo  :facepalm:

Jo
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2017, 10:32:41 AM »


Clearly, someone is still thinking about the recent miss hap on Andrew's shed build, it would have been better without the photo  :facepalm:

Jo

Possibly ...  :thinking:   Clydesdales are rather more impressive though .....  :lolb:

Dave

Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2017, 11:12:19 AM »
Upgrade 1 complete: It has a footswitch  :) I think it could do with a better presser foot, something more like you find on a sewing machine  :thinking:

I am not sure about the need for the toggle adjuster on the tensioner... I need to be more consistent with my mounting of the saw blades before that would be of use.

I have tried it on a few bits of metal and brass and ali  :ThumbsUp: I can't find any thin bits of steel  :headscratch:

I think it is a keeper.

Jo

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Offline Jasonb

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #18 on: August 14, 2017, 11:24:57 AM »
The toggle is only really needed if taking the blade in and out a lot which you would tend to use if doing a lot of piercing work where you are cutting within the work rather than coming in from an edge so the blade needs to be passed through a hole for each cut in which case it could become tedius having to keep winding the tension on and off to remove and refit the blade.

All you need to do now is stick a copy of your favorite engine picture to a bit of birch ply and you can make yourself a jigsaw puzzle to keep you amused, that Wheeler print of teh BB1 would be ideal :)

Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #19 on: August 14, 2017, 11:36:21 AM »
Jo

I am inclined to be a bit impressed by the hold down foot, mainly 'cos I don't have one.  :'(
When I've used mine to cut FR4 PCB sheet, there is a tendency for the job to jump about somewhat.

There does appear to be a newer / improved (?) version:
https://www.hegner.co.uk/hold-down-arm-for-multicut-m1-m2.html

I would think it would not be a big job to fabricate one  :thinking: ( better than shelling out £70-odd anyway )

Dave


Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #20 on: August 14, 2017, 11:56:11 AM »
 :o The accessories are expensive  :paranoia:

The previous owner does seem to have added a few bits and bobs to this including that hold down arm, the Quick Release clamp and a blade centralising thingy. I think the old foot could be improved .

Jo
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simplyloco

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #21 on: August 14, 2017, 04:05:19 PM »
Just a bit of market feedback on scroll saws. I have owned a PROXXON 230 scroll saw for some 10 years now. It looks pretty but it's probably the most useless piece of kit that I have ever had the misfortune to own! The blades break easily and are difficult to insert, it wobbles all over the bench, and it is NOT accurate. I use my jeweller's saw most of the time these days!
Beware...
John

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Proxxon-Micromot-230-Scroll-Saw/dp/B000PJ8CS8

Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #22 on: August 14, 2017, 05:24:00 PM »
John, when you visit remind me and I will let you have a go with the Hegner  ;)

Jo
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Offline Tin Falcon

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #23 on: August 14, 2017, 06:35:51 PM »
Quote
:o The accessories are expensive  :paranoia:

It appears these are the Rolls Royce  or Bentley of scroll saws. It appears the model you have sells for $795 here in the states and they go  from there to almost $3500.

Not a run of the mill  Delta or ryobi.

Offline Pete49

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #24 on: August 15, 2017, 04:20:38 AM »
Jo I have had a Hegner multi-speed and foot switch for 20 years and never a problem. I do a lot of pierced work with the brown stuff and some metal mainly brass. aluminium, silver sheet (twice), thin steel and stainless steel. Each blade is for specific work and the metal cutting blades need careful use or they break. Hold the stuff down well and cut slowly. Those of us that use it for woodwork (fretwork) have all sorts of blade from coarse teeth to superfine and even spiral blades. The first thing most of us do is get rid of the hold down as it tends to limit vision of the cut. Some single speed owners have had success in wiring in a light dimmer to adjust the speed. The best blades I found are Flying Dutchman blades bought via the internet sellers in the USA Australia and who knows where else. As an aside an old bloke I know has owned the multi-speed for 35 years and recently replaced a bearing for au$5 and he uses it at least an hour a day. Mine cost 20 years ago au$1800 so value for money. Enjoy it, its a fun thing.
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Offline Jo

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #25 on: August 15, 2017, 07:27:27 AM »
Thanks Pete,

Those of us that use it for woodwork (fretwork) have all sorts of blade from coarse teeth to superfine and even spiral blades.

I have a couple of those spiral ones. They claim to be for plaster, plastic or the brown stuff  :paranoia: I looked on them as a type of Abra file but none said anything about cutting metal.

A light dimmer with a capacitor start motor  :thinking:

Jo
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #26 on: August 15, 2017, 07:47:14 AM »

A light dimmer with a capacitor start motor  :thinking:

Jo

I noticed that bit  :)  It may be that the 'Multi-Speed' has a different motor fitted.

Ooops! Sorry! Missed the 'fitted to single speed bit' ...  :embarassed:

Somewhere in that heap of junk I've accumulated over the years are 2 36V DC motors, fairly hefty brutes, ex-tape drives.
Once thought of putting one on my Hegner. ( Would need to make a DC PSU & a PWM wotsit )
However, I got on OK with the single speed arrangement so I wonder if it's worth the effort.
If I ever get another lifetime to spare I might ferret them out.

Dave
« Last Edit: August 15, 2017, 09:03:07 AM by Bluechip »

Offline Pete49

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #27 on: August 15, 2017, 08:35:07 AM »
Thanks Pete,

Those of us that use it for woodwork (fretwork) have all sorts of blade from coarse teeth to superfine and even spiral blades.

I have a couple of those spiral ones. They claim to be for plaster, plastic or the brown stuff  :paranoia: I looked on them as a type of Abra file but none said anything about cutting metal.

A light dimmer with a capacitor start motor  :thinking:

Jo
Yep the spiral ones are good for qickturns or single line work. They take a bit of getting used to. 

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Offline petertha

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #28 on: August 27, 2017, 09:33:41 PM »
Clickspring on YouTube does a lot of metal cutting on his Hegner if you want to see some live action or contact him about specifics. He cuts primarily brass, I suspect as a function of the clocks & similar projects he makes. People have asked about his blades & as I recall nothing special other than good quality jewelers blades, like what might be used on a manual saw. I'm very impressed with how the Hegner goes through material. They are brutally expensive in N-Am. I think my Dewalt has similar HP but it does not seem to enjoy metal, mind you I've been doing mostly aluminum sheet. Hope this rambling helps.

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Hegner Scroll Saw
« Reply #29 on: August 27, 2017, 11:47:47 PM »
I bet one of these would be the perfect tool for that moving hummingbird sculpture someone posted a while back.  :naughty: Just what I need, another tool added to the list for after returning.

Bill

 

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