Speed control at intermediate speeds was slightly erratic and caused mechanism backlash noises under no-load conditions. The underside of the upper arm housing has sharp edges - watch your hands if you pick it up there. The hinge on the blade storage compartment isn't strong enough and the door closure detent doesn't always line up. The lamp isn't bright enough. The hole in the table is a little large - an insert would be nice. The blade tensioner quick release has a pinch zone - can catch flesh. The knob on the lower blade jaw can hit the bottom of the table in one of the 45 degree tilts. Finally, this saw has a fairly aggresive fore-aft blade movement when cutting; cuts fast but not so good for fine work.

When I received the Dremel Scroll saw I was very excited. This was one thing I wanted for a long time. Since it didn't come with an idea book, I asked my wife to draw something up so I could make it. She then proceeded to write her name DEBBIE in 1" high letters. Although I encouraged her to write it larger, this is the way it was to be. I had to use the scroll saw blades that don't have the cross bar to complete her design. These blades come with the kit. Needless to say, it took me a little while to get the hang on how to work with these blades without them constantly pulling out when working with the piece. After a little practice, it wasn't a problem. Her name definitly wasn't a beginners project. After a little use, I did have problems with the on/off switch. I called Dremel and sent them an E-Mail. They responded to both promptly and had a work-around that worked, and had my replacement switch in the mail. They even answered some additional questions I had for them on what books they recommend for beginners.pOf course, I already had a wish list ready for them. A more powerful air blower, and a more powerful light so I can see the small lettering my wife draws. Anyways, I think you will be happy with the scroll saw. Make sure to wax the table top so it doesn't pick up any rust.

I too found several areas of this saw to be rather hastily designed for production. The larger table top is a nice feature, but, the blade opening on mine needed filing to remove casting flash. I will one day use some oil and xxxx fine cloth to polish the top to where I would like it. I found the pin blade feature somewhat awkward on access holes on the interior of a workpiece, often not catching. And, as noted, the forward bias in cutting action will produce heat strain on a blade, so, I cut several 12" circles from ply and center scored them with a small center hole to keep small cut-offs from falling through, and, I clamp or double side tape them to get more use from a blade. It is a nice machine, but, often, again, the accountants nixed a better design for "comparitive value engineering" saw. If a user looks at the type of work they are undertaking, they can come up with a few jigs and devices to accomplish the job. It is the best and, newest scroll saw I own. One is almost as old as I am, but, it has a side powershaft attachment that is not on the newer model. All in all, I think it is a good, forgiving saw to work with. The no tool blade change (plain end blade) is a very handy feature. Makes it a twist to install a new blade.

I use my Dremel scroll saw to create decorative scroll work for a furniture making shop that does most of it business in grandfather clocks and high-end dining room furniture. I like the speed control and power switch located up front where they are easy to use. Blade changes are far simpler that my old saw that required special tools in order to change a blade. The blade tension system is superior to anything else I've tried. Blade tensioning tip: When installing a new blade, tighten the tension knob until the blade first feels taught. Then rotate the tensioning lever 1 1/2 turns and that will provide the perfect tension for most blade types. When I bought the tool two years ago, I had one problem with the saw. It just quit working one day. One call to the Dremel toll-free number solved the issue. It seems they did have an issue with dust getting into the switch and making the saw not work. They sent me a new switch (for free) with dust boots on it and the problem was solved. I now see that this saw has dust boots on its switches as standard equipment.Other that that, I get pro-quality results for a hobby price.

Since I've retired I've been earning my living with my Dremel Scroll saw. I checked four different brands before choosing the Dremel. It has all the features required to do quality work: variable speed, tilt table, dust blower, light, soft start, large work table, and the ability to use plain-end blades.I heard that this saw had a problem with dust getting in the switch so I called Dremel customer service before buying. They said the problem was fixed when they added dust-boot covers over the switches (which mine has) to keep the fine dust out. All Dremel saws now have boots over the switches. I have had zero problems with the switch and I use the tool approximately five days a week. (I sell at art fairs on weekends).What I like best is the smooth operation of the motor. I find little vibration or noise and it has power to cut domestic and imported hardwoods. Thanks Dremel for a great tool ...!

I just broke into the scrolling field about 3 months ago. I did little researching on the various saws but could see real quick that the Dremel, with all of its comparable features to the more expensive models, was a very good value for the money. I find it very user friendly. But after a few projects I could quickly discern its minor drawbacks. The light is dim. The plastic spare blade storage door is flimsy and tends to misalign, making it hard to close. Just recently, the upper arm is starting to knock on the upper housing if the blade isn't fairly tense. I've got to call Dremel about this one yet. The stand included was ok to put together but I couldn't get some of the holes to line up with the base of the saw. The vibration is somewhat dissapointing but not major with this price range. Not recommended for fretwork. Bottom blade holder is hard to get to with large hands. The on and off switch gets a little tiring after several pushes during a project. Get a foot switch! The blade holders are a snap with changing. In short, a very good buy for the hobbyist.

I'm new to scroll sawing, but I've been a woodworker for quite some time, so talents on a bandsaw have come in handy here. I really like this saw, despite the tone of some other reviewers. I have used the saw a fair amount without any mechanical trouble at all. The upfront controls make it safe, and I find the light really quite useful. The speed range makes it possible to safely cut through both very thin, fragile materials, and hard, thick materials. As an example of how versatile this saw is, I have cut oak 2x4 with fair results, though I don't recommend doing this. Like all scroll saws, it's at its best in material .5" thick.pMy only complaints are minor: the bottom blade release is really in quite a tight location for big hands, and the blade storage drawer is too tight to be useful without wasting lots of time. The only other scroll saw I've used was a Delta 40-540, and this saw is drastically better and safer than that one, though I don't know how it compares to more expensive saws.

I'm new to scroll sawing, but I've been a woodworker for quite some time, so talents on a bandsaw have come in handy here. I really like this saw, despite the tone of some other reviewers. I have used the saw a fair amount without any mechanical trouble at all. The upfront controls make it safe, and I find the light really quite useful. The speed range makes it possible to safely cut through both very thin, fragile materials, and hard, thick materials. As an example of how versatile this saw is, I have cut oak 2x4 with fair results, though I don't recommend doing this. Like all scroll saws, it's at its best in material

I bought this saw a little over a year ago. 2 weeks after I had the first on the motor just shut down. I was able to return the unit to where I bought it for a replacement. Since then it's worked great. Last week this unit just shut down. It's not the reset switch as I've tested that. So now I'm faced with getting it repaired. While I like the oversized table and the vibration was good. I'm disappointed in this problem with the unit just stopping. I wish I had bought the Dewalt unit I was looking at.

I bought this saw two days ago. It meets all of the general requirements for a good scroll saw, as follows: Very heavy base with little vibration, variable speed, table tilts 45 degress in BOTH directions, easy blade change clamps, takes both pinned and blank blades, switches on the head. Very quiet. This is the answer to getting, in the $200 price range, a saw that is close in quality to the DeWalt or other $$$ saws, excepting only that the throat here is 16 inches instead of of 20 inches in the $400 saws. My shop is small, so getting this smaller high quality 2 year warantee saw w/o base is exactly what I needed, and I finally found it after a 2-month search. Comes with lamp, also, and a kit of extra blades. Very smooth, very nice.pNov. 1,2001. Now I've used it for for 6 months. Still a fine saw, no trouble with it at all. Lamp is dim, so use an overhead lamp. Also, I modified the holddown to use just one lever so it swings out of way to make blade changes much easier. All of the criticisms in the other reviews are valid (except re troubles). But is this still the best you can get for the money for a small shop.

I bought this saw two days ago. It meets all of the general requirements for a good scroll saw, as follows: Very heavy base with little vibration, variable speed, table tilts 45 degress in BOTH directions, easy blade change clamps, takes both pinned and blank blades, switches on the head. Very quiet. This is the answer to getting, in the $200 price range, a saw that is close in quality to the DeWalt or other $$$ saws, excepting only that the throat here is 16 inches instead of of 20 inches in the $400 saws. My shop is small, so getting this smaller high quality 2 year warantee saw w/o base is exactly what I needed, and I finally found it after a 2-month search. Comes with lamp, also, and a kit of extra blades. Very smooth, very nice.Nov. 1,2001. Now I've used it for for 6 months. Still a fine saw, no trouble with it at all. Lamp is dim, so use an overhead lamp. Also, I modified the holddown to use just one lever so it swings out of way to make blade changes much easier. All of the criticisms in the other reviews are valid (except re troubles). But is this still the best you can get for the money for a small shop.

I have owned this saw for a year now and have probably 40 or 50 hours scrolling on it-- and I have to say it is a very good saw- IF YOU TILT THE TABLE TO CHANGE BLADES!
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br /Pros-
br /Light
br /Blower
br /Good variable speed
br /all except tension release is in the front
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br /Cons-
br /Blade tension release is in back
br /some vibration
br /difficult blade change unless you tilt table
br /some motor bog down (strangely both when under load and not)
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br /I recently found out about tilting the table all the way to the right to allow access to the blade attachment knob on the bottom-- this greatly eases blade changes!
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br /Thanks for taking the time to read this review, overall this is a great saw, nicer then the ryobis,craftsmans,and delta but nowhere near the dewalt or excaliburs.
br /Lawrence
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I purchased a display model of this tool from HD. It was missing the blower hose. I called Dremel and asked for one and received it in a week. This is a great company to work with. I have used the saw for many hobby projects. The dust port works great with an adapter to your shop vaccuum or dust collection system. The saw is very powerful and smooth. I have used it to cut very hard woods like Purpleheart. The light, blower, variable speed and dust port make this a very nice saw. I wished the saw had a better way of storing the blades. I have seen tube storage on the sides of other more expensive models and wished this had them. I like this tool better than the Delta model. Blade changes are very easy with the little pins on them. Having this model with the sander on the side would probably be very nice.

As a beginner in the world of scroll saw, I did a lot of reading and came to the conclusion of the Dremel Scroll Saw. It had a big table top, Good location of on/off switch and speed adjustment, and the ability to bevel to the right or left was an added bonus. Overall I would say that this is a good scroll saw. I use mine a lot. Blade change is easy.

I am new to scroll sawing and this is my first saw. The one I bought came with a stand and had a little problem assembling. The light on the unit is dim so I suggest better lighting. It only took a few minutes to get the hang of blade changes. I started cutting right away. From what I can tell this seems to be a good inexpensive saw for the beginner or routine hobbyist.

My first Dremel scroll saw lasted about a month - I touched the scroll saw while vacuuming my shop, a spark jumped, and it immediately stopped working. Lowes was great - they replaced it right away. However, about a year and a half after that, the saw simply quit working. Everything looked ok - nothing jammed, bearings ok, power ok, it didn't overheat and reset, etc. It looked like, in a bone dry Arizona shop, that static was the culprit the second time as well. I concluded that Dremel didn't add adequate protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD), and that ESD fried the electronic motor control. This makes Dremel far too high a risk for me to ever buy another one - even if I lived elsewhere, as winters can still be very dry. Too bad, because the tool is otherwise great.

My first Dremel scroll saw lasted about a month - I touched the scroll saw while vacuuming my shop, a spark jumped, and it immediately stopped working. Lowes was great - they replaced it right away. However, about a year and a half after that, the saw simply quit working. Everything looked ok - nothing jammed, bearings ok, power ok, it didn't overheat and reset, etc. It looked like, in a bone dry Arizona shop, that static was the culprit the second time as well. I concluded that Dremel didn't add adequate protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD), and that ESD fried the electronic motor control. This makes Dremel far too high a risk for me to ever buy another one - even if I lived elsewhere, as winters can still be very dry. Too bad, because the tool is otherwise great.

Bought this tool over a year ago but only used it for a total of about 30 hours before the motor "burned out". The tool is solidly built, blade changes are easy, and overall I was quite happy with all aspects of the tool until, of course the motor went. Called the Dremel people, it's out of warranty and to get it fixed is cost prohibitive so I'll have to buy a new saw. If I had confidence that this event was a fluke I would buy another Dremel 1680, but another reviewer had a burned out motor with very little time on the saw. It's a shame because other than the motor this 4 star tool, alas a great saw with no motor is a $149.00 paper weight. I think I have to drop 3 bills on a Dewalt 20".

For the hobbiest who has a lot of time on his/her hands,this machine is probably ok. As a professional woodworker, I found the blade changing to be excessively difficult, hit and miss with the top rear tensioner. Also, it's foot doesn't fit right to the wood surface; causing strain when moving the piece around for precise cuts. Mine developed a loud clanking sound after only a few hours of use, and eventually blew fuses, and finally shut down completely. It has some nice features, like the controls up front, large base, and variable speed control; but, unfortunately, not very reliable for the serious scroll saw enthusiast.

This is my first scroll saw. It came with the stand. Stand was a little tricky to put together and mount the scroll saw on, but the scroll saw is working fine fine on it now. The blade change is quite simple. I have only practiced a little with the scroll saw, but I am finding it fairly easy to get the hang of using. The light attached light is dim so I suggest additional lighting. For the money I think it is a good machine for the first time user and occassional hobbyist. I figure to get several years out of it before upsizing.

This is a well built saw. It has a nice large table and the work light is a big plus. It does seem to have a little bit more vibration than some other saws. It should be attached to a heave work bench or stand with a rubber pad beneath it. This helps reduce the vibration a good deal but not totally.

Overall works fairly well but the hole in the center is too big for any fine detail work on small pieces. The lamp is inadequate and very difficult to replace. Cuts well, works well for most projects.

I received the saw for a retirement present, and it was a while before I had my shop organized. I had never owned a scroll saw before, so was unaware of how it should sound, or work. Noisy, vibration, and plain end blades are impossible to keep tight. Will not cut square, despite squaring the table and blade. Warranty is expired, so I will replace it, hopefully, soon.
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br /My next saw will definitely not be a Dremel, and from what I read, the DeWalt may not be such a good deal either, being built in the Orient.
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br /Word to the wise. Do not buy a scroll saw without having a hands on session.

I'd love to say how the product works but it has not arrived !!!
br /It has been on order since Nov 16,2004 and you still say you can get 1 day delivery or usually ships in 24 hours !!! Now I do not have a Christmas present for my husband and I thought I ordered it in PLENTY OF TIME !!!!
br /update: today is 12-30-04. It says my order shipped on 12-21 but UPS says they never got it. I am cancelling this order and returning the items I did get. I am so dissapointed.