Scroll Saw Old vs New

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:05 pm

tryinhard wrote:Now I am curious. It seems to me that there have been two color schemes to the scroll saws since their introduction. I assumed (I know what that really means!) that the color change was indicative of a major mechanical change as well.

Is there any truth to this recollection, or is the hole in my head just getting bigger?

Beside the change in color and the blade change system, the table was changed to one piece and eliminated the insert around the blade. The lower housing was changed eliminating the dust collection attachment. I picked up an older stand mounted gray model with the variable speed that I like a lot. I will dispose of a teal one after the first of the year that I don't need.

Regarding the older style jigsaw, the lower chuck does handle 1/4 in. diameter files making the machine a nice filing machine.You will see the files on Ebay from time to time.The arm can be removed like the old model 10 version and used with a saber saw blade for pieces over the 18" throat capacity. The jigsaw came originally with a cast iron table and later with an aluminum table. Of these, I prefer the older version with the cast iron table as I feel the extra weight helps with any vibration. If weight was an issue than I would go with the aluminum version.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:22 pm

I am guessing that the 'jig' saw you see on e-bay without a table is the older model 10 jig saw that mounts on top of the model 10 e/r. There are none currently on e-bay.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:18 pm

There is a third scroll saw with a self-contained variable speed motor and stand-alone stand. The variable speed controller/box for this jig saw is the same part number as the one used on the Thickness Planer. I was lucky to buy a couple really cheap scroll saw variable speed control panel/boxes on Ebay that I used on several Thickness Planers I repaired.

dusty wrote:Now, we are talking about the two versions of the Shopsmith scroll saw.

As far as I know, there are only two versions of the Shopsmith Scroll Saw. There might have been some other "minor" changes made to the mechanics but I believe that if so they were minor.

The older scroll saw is gray and the newer one is teal. The teal version was released with a quick release mechanism for blade change.

The older version was rather clumsy, using a screw type fastener for securing the blade. There was an upgrade offered that incorporated the quick release mechanism. I was very quick to purchase that upgrade.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:47 pm

The top left photo is the newer scrollsaw now sold by Shopsmith. It has a quick blade change system and also a clear guard on the top arm.
The top right is the older Jigsaw. It has been discontinued. The older ones were Green, some gold.
The bottom left is the saw for the Shopsmith model 10er. Will not fit the Mark V

Here is the older Gray scrollsaw.

bhurley · Post by **bhurley** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:50 am

Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm pretty well convinced that the new version of the scroll saw is the only way for me to go.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:49 am

cincinnati wrote:The top left photo is the newer scrollsaw now sold by Shopsmith. It has a quick blade change system and also a clear guard on the top arm.
The top right is the older Jigsaw. It has been discontinued. The older ones were Green, some gold.
The bottom left is the saw for the Shopsmith model 10er. Will not fit the Mark V

Here is the older Gray scrollsaw.

This certainly sums up the appearances! I overlooked the 'teal' color change. Makes it obvious which version of the scroll saw it is.

Is the base the same for both the stand mount and the ss mount, or are they different? i.e. are the tube mounts and the stand mount/holes common to both? - can they be used both ways if one has all the additional hardware?

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:59 pm

JPG40504 wrote:This certainly sums up the appearances! I overlooked the 'teal' color change. Makes it obvious which version of the scroll saw it is.

Is the base the same for both the stand mount and the ss mount, or are they different? i.e. are the tube mounts and the stand mount/holes common to both? - can they be used both ways if one has all the additional hardware?

The base of my 80's vintage gray stand mounted scroll saw is the same as the Mark V mount (i.e. mounting tube holes in casting, hole for input drive shaft, dust collection point, etc.). There is no input drive shaft to mount a drive hub on for the stand mounted machine. One would have to order a number of parts from Shopsmith to make the conversion. Could it be done..........probably. The only reason, I would do it is if the drive motor died and conversion was the cheapest route to get it back in service. As it is, it is quieter and probably more efficient with the stand mounted drive.

ddresser · Post by **ddresser** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:27 pm

I think there was a RBI Hawk model made to work on the SS for a short time also (more of a question than a statement)?

mistystarz · Post by **mistystarz** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:50 pm

I have the newer teal scroll saw from shop smith and also the jig saw. The scroll saw is on a stand and works great no vibration problems, easy to tension and variable speeds.Also easy blade change / insert for interior cuts. The difference between the two is the jig saw doesn't have as fine a cut and seemed harder to control for me.

kameljoe21 · Post by **kameljoe21** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:24 pm

well im not really up on whats jig v scroll all i know it that my Duro 30" works well enough for me and i can cut up to about 2 inches thick and it works good for me.... its a old metal scroll saw so it works pretty good