The Delta SS350LS comes with the leg set that puts the saw at a nice sit-down height. Click image to enlarge

Delta SS350LS 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw

Fun, features and value

Text & Photos by Tom Hintz

Posted - 11-7-2004

   Scroll saws can be lots of fun to use but they also bring serious woodworking capabilities to the average woodworking shop that are unmatched by any other machine. Super fine, intricate cuts and near zero-radius corners allow home woodworkers to create appliqués, fretwork and many other intricate pieces with which to enhance projects.

   Scroll saws also have their own subcategories under the woodworking umbrella such as the widely popular Intarsia. The range of projects applicable to even moderately priced scroll saws is restricted more by the users creativity than limitations of the machine itself.

Initial Impressions

   The Delta SS350LS comes fully assembled except for the leg set included with this package. All of the components and fasteners were present and emerged from their protective wrappings in perfect condition.

   One of the first things I noticed about the Delta SS350LS was its 60-lb. weight. As I would discover later, a substantial portion of that weight comes from a cast iron table and base, material choices not often found in a saw selling for $199 (street price, 11-6-2004).

Assembly and Instructions

   While the Delta SS350LS itself requires no assembly, the leg set included in this package, does. The written instructions for building the leg set are a little minimal but a clear photograph of the assembly saves the day. The main point to remember is that this is a triangular stand and the front-to-back rails have a more radical bend at their rear attachment points. Get this one point right and assembly of the stand goes quickly.

   Attaching the saw to the stand can be a little difficult because the bolts securing it to the stand run down between other bolts that secure the legs. This is not an impossible task, just a little awkward.

   Overall, the instructions are complete and well written. Supporting photographs are nicely sized and clearly printed.

   The only clean up the Delta SS350LS requires is removing corrosion-inhibiting oil and a sheet of plastic that covers it from the table surface. Simple household spray cleaner and a few paper towels handled the task.

   As I do with all new machines, the table surface was treated with the TopSaver system immediately after cleaning to keep it slick and protected.

Work Table

The cast iron work table is large, flat and tilts (left) to 45-degrees. Click image to enlarge

   The most visually prominent feature is the 11 ¾"-diameter by 22"-long cast iron table. Though aluminum or other cost-cutting metal might be expected at this price point, Delta thankfully decided to go with the old stand-by, cast iron. The table is solid feeling, the surface machined flat and the edges rounded to insure smooth stock movement during cutting.

   The base of the saw is also made from a full-length chunk of cast iron that keeps the machine rigid and absorbs what little vibration is generated during operation.

Bevel Cutting

   The table tilts from 0 to 45-degrees (left only) with an adjustable stop for the 0-degree position. Our table alignment checked out fine.

   The accuracy of the built-in scale was also checked by setting the table at an indicated 45-degrees and then measuring the actual angle between the table and blade with a reliable combination square. The pointer needed a tiny adjustment to make it spot on.

   The tilt feature is released and locked by a knob located behind the dust cup. Removing the cup to access the tilt knob is relatively fast, making it an insignificant operational hindrance, especially considering the relative infrequency of bevel cutting.

Dust Control

   The dust cup does a good job of catching sawdust below the table. A single spring-loaded knob is used to release and secure it. While the dust cup has a huge capacity, it is a good idea to empty it frequently. When dust collection actually works, it requires maintenance.

(Top) The speed control dial is infinitely adjustable and the On/Off switch can be locked. (Bottom) Generous cooling fins keep motor temperature down during long cutting sessions. Click image to enlarge

   The flexible dust blower is more effective than anticipated. The area it keeps clean is small but more than adequate to keep a layout line clear. Also, SPM (strokes per minute) rates appear to have little impact on the effectiveness of the blower.

Speed Control and Motor

   The 2-amp motor is smooth running and showed plenty of power to maintain the selected speeds throughout our testing. Though several of the "get acquainted" sessions were rather long, the motor showed no sign of heating up thanks in part to a generous section of cooling fins on the case. The motor has a lockable On/Off switch that is separate from and has no effect on the speed control settings.

   Speed of the motor and blade is controlled by an infinitely adjustable speed dial. The speed control has hash markings with only the 600SPM and 1650SPM ends of the available range labeled. Turning the speed control dial produces smooth, consistent SPM changes. The setting remains constant during operation.

   To protect the motor circuit, an easily replaced automotive-style tubular glass and steel 3 amp fuse is used, located on the right side next to the On/Off switch.

Blade Changing and Tension

(Top) The blade clamps are secure and finger-operated. (Bottom) The knob atop the upper arm controls blade tension. Click image to enlarge

   The Delta SS350LS features a tool-less, clamp-style blade retention system above and below the table. The clamps are adjustable to accept most types of blades. During testing, the blade clamps held fast and required no adjustment. The finger-operated blade clamps make changing blades easy, even the end below the table.

   Blade tension is adjusted through a finger-operated stem at the top arm. Though appearing a bit simplistic, we had no trouble setting and maintaining the proper tension for any blade used during testing.

   The adjustment stem is also used to engage and release blade tension. Flip the stem up to engage blade tension and flip it back down to relax the blade for changing or when the saw is not in use.

Hold Down and Insert

   The material hold down is simple in design but very effective. The hold down arm can be adjusted vertically with a single knob, plus can be angled side-to-side for bevel cutting. The round blade insert installed at the factory can be turned 90-degrees when working with small pieces that could fall into the insert opening or when angle cutting. The stock insert can also be replaced with a zero clearance version, supplied uncut with the saw.

In the Shop

Throughout our testing, the SS350LS cut cleanly, handled a wide range of material thicknesses and didn't kill many blades! Click image to enlarge

   The Delta SS350LS is remarkably smooth operating, even in the higher SPM ranges. While its substantial overall mass helps, the operating mechanism itself seems well built with no obvious play or rattles.

   The upper and lower arms controlling blade movement track very well with no signs of wandering or deflection throughout the SPM range. This translates to smooth cuts in all materials tested, even in surprisingly tight turns. Technique certainly is important to cut quality but cannot hide the gouges and scratches left by a blade cycling through a less than straight path.

   All of the basic features performed very well. Though testing the Delta SS350LS involved cutting lots of wood, it performed consistently and required no corrections to settings or adjustments along the way.
   The cast iron table provides very good support for all but the largest of work pieces. The 16" throat depth, 22" overall length and 11 ¾"-diameter (forward portion) make controlling large work pieces easy and predictable.

   The Delta SS350LS is capable of cutting wood up to 2"-thick at 0-degrees and 1"-thick at 45-degrees. Most of our testing used ¾"-thick stock but we did cut our test pattern in 1 ½"-thick scraps with equally good results.

   Blade breakage is an accepted part of scroll sawing, mainly because their physical dimensions are necessarily tiny to make the cuts we expect from these machines. While testing the Delta SS350LS, the only broken blades resulted from poor technique, not something the machine did.

Conclusions

   With a street price of $199.00, (11-8-2004) the Delta SS350LS scroll saw is a great value for the average woodworker. It brings a wide range of capabilities and the capacity necessary to handle a very large range of scroll saw tasks.

   Whether your interests focus on Intarsia or cutting intricate decorations for other woodworking projects, the Delta SS350LS brings a full set of capabilities to handle those jobs and more.

See more Delta Tools at www.deltawoodworking.com.

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