Finescrollsaw

Hegner scroll saw review

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.

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 goose neck (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.

vacuum cleaner tube and beveler of the multicut 2s

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.

The Hegner scroll saw uses blade clamps on the bottom blade end, which permits easy interchanging and replacement of blades.

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.

lower part of the cutting table of the hegner scroll saw

The blade is then encased in position below the cutting table.

quicklock tension release system of the hegner scroll saw

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:

blade being inserted in the blade holder slot of the hegner scroll saw

You simply insert the blade in the blade holder slot,

hand tightening the wheel of the blade holder of the hegner scroll saw

hold it by tightening the wheel,

hand setting tension by pushing the red handle of the blade holder of the hegner scroll saw

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.

variable speed control of the hegner multicut 2s scroll saw

This model has a variable speed control, between 400 and 1400 revolutions. I have never used more than 1000.

hegner multicut 2s with its cutting table tilted 45 degrees

The table can be tilted to a maximum of 45 degrees.

graduated ruler of the hegner multicut 2s scroll saw

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.

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.

Flying dutchman scroll saw fretwork blades

Mike has sent me a few Flying Dutchman scroll reverse saw blades for review. I had never tried these ones.

flying dutchman blades with indications about their reversed teeth

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.

piece of wood with two cuts, one clean and other with fuzz