The Shopsmith scroll saw boasts a flexible hold down arm that is much more useful than the standard rigid one.
Shopsmith is well known for it’s multiple-purpose woodworking machines, but it also produces a high-quality scroll saw. The Shopsmith scroll saw looks like no other saw on the market.
A cover protects the moving top arm. A clear cover hinges up for access to the tool-less blade clamps. The tension-release mechanism is a flip lever, and tension is adjusted by a screw at the back of the arm. The power switch is equipped with a locking key.
The saw action is smooth, and when set up on the concrete floor in my shop, there is no noticeable vibration. The saw has a hold-down arm and I was surprised how flexible it is. I enjoyed not having to maintain a death grip on the stock to prevent chatter!
I decided to remove the hold down because it got in the way when I was bottom-feeding the blade through blade-entry holes. Unfortunately the dust blower hose is connected directly to the hold down; there is no way to direct the airflow if you remove the hold down. There are retro-fit kits that allow you to add a positionable dust nozzle, but I solved the problem with an aquarium air pump.
Shopsmith has been around since 1946. The Dayton, OH-based manufacturing company also makes a line of Mark V 5-in-1 woodworking machines (table saw, drill press, lathe, disc sander, and horizontal boring machine) that are perfect for small shops. The scroll saw can be attached to the Mark V body, Dave Folkerth, vice president of marketing for Shopsmith, said this causes a bit more vibration. The scroll saw alone retails for $765. The complete Mark V system retails for $3,484 (with scroll saw). For more information, contact Shopsmith at 800-543-7586, www.Shopsmith.com.