Genesis GSS160 1.2 Amp 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw with Quick-Change System, Dust Blower, and Die-Cast Table for Left/Right Tilting

Fantastic machine

Like many of the reviewers, my experience with the Genesis scroll saw was marred by bad problems. First, the table would not stay in position no matter how hard I applied tension to the set-screw, that orange knob on the front of the saw. I fixed it by adding two washers, one before and one behind the set screw. Then came the foot adjustment height. This too was lose no matter how much I tightened it. I resolved this problem by putting a small piece of emory paper in the raceway. Finally, there is a large sticker that covered half the table on the left side. This should have been easy to pull off. It wasn't. No matter how carefully I pulled the edges, it would strip down to the layer before the stick-um. It took a full hour to remove the sticker using a combination of a razor blade and acetone. I finally got it resolved and applied a layer of wax to the table to facilitate material moving over the table. Next came a test run of the saw. It was quite accurate at all speeds when sawing everything from pine, to oak, to poplar, cutting a small circle of 3/16th in diameter. I'll keep it, not because it's the best saw but because it's affordable and does the trick for me.

This saw is adequate for my needs. It came to me with a pin blade and blade guard in place. The feet, screws, allen wrench, flexible dust blower and two extra blades were in a sealed bag. The feet and flexible hose were easily attached, using just my left hand. I made sure all knobs were securely screwed in place. Having tested the saw on my level work bench I found that there is vibration increasing with ever higher speed adjustments. Removing the feet and applying rubber washers and ¼" lag bolts to attach it directly to the bench significantly reduced the vibration. I might add here that for my purposes I will be using only the lower ranges on the speed dial. However, I'm confident that if I should want to tackle a 1-2" wood project this saw will be very handy. It runs smoothly and quietly. My arthritic hands are no longer able to use a utility knife, X-acto knife, linoleum knife, scissors etc. for cutting shapes out of dense materials such as book board, craft foam, gasket materials, cork etc. I have a Logan mat cutter, a Carl and a Pazzles for dense paper and light gage card and mat board. All of my cutting tools will relieve the wear and tear on my hand joints. This scroll saw will allow me to continue the many crafts I enjoy creating when I'm not painting in my studio. I've used my hands pretty hard most of my life. Now, I'm recovering from re-constructive surgery on my right hand, my left hand will be operated on in several months. With great care and concentration the Genesis will allow me to work one handed for now and two handed later on. Yes, it's cheap, made in China. And, I'm sure that my retired father a master carpenter and certified teacher of the trade would not have bought this saw. But, for my crafty projects this is adequate and seems to me to be the best value for the dollar. (Under $100. in a damaged box from Amazons Warehouse Deals)

I needed to replace an old Craftsman Saw that I inherited and even though I don't use a Scroll Saw everyday, I wanted something I could depend on. I have had good results from Genesis before - so I gave this one a try. Knowing that the Smartest Tool Users spend time to set the product correctly - I made sure that everything was tightened properly and all guards were correctly in place before putting it in action. The instructions were clear and concise and I know they were written by someone who speaks good English - rare these days in many operating manuals... The tilting table adjustment in degrees is a little hard to read, but proved to be accurate and tightened quite well. The variable speed works well and allows me to match speed with thickness and density of my wood. The articulated blower is a nice feature and can be adjusted easily to keep the cutting point free from sawdust. I have been able to cut everything that I have needed to and bought some extra blades with different TPI for future projects on different materials and density of wood. One excellent feature is the ability to use both Plain End and Pin End blades. The item also has a full Two-Year warranty, so I have peace of mind on the quality. This Saw is well-built, recommended to others and is easily 5 stars in my book.

Noisy, hard to use, cuts run off line. Dust blower doesn't work, Spend a little more for a higher quality, better precision machine.

Bearing wore out only 10 hrs of use and Bearing exploded

This item is probably the worst power tool I've ever used and I've use a lot of tools over the years. It's poorly designed, severely unbalanced, and shoddily built. Mine arrived missing the rubber feet and with several loose screws. After I tightened the screws and set it on a cork pad the saw was somewhat usable. However after a total of about 30 minutes of intermittent use the one of the fasteners on the arm flew off and pinged on my safety glasses. I have to admit I would not normally have been wearing them while using a scroll saw but luckily I was working on a project with my 10 year old son so I was role modeling good safety and had them on. If not I'd probably have had a trip to the hospital with a scratched cornea. When the arm came apart it also beat itself into the workpiece ruining it. Anyhow, it's a pile of junk that's not worth the space it will take in your shop.

I read the other review and it is just flat wrong. Almost nothing is cast. BTW, there is no such thing as "cast steel" (just cast iron or aluminum). Some parts are steel (stamped), some plastic, and some cast aluminum (the table). When I got mine I figured it might be OK until I tried to run it. The speed rheostat was defective so it either ran at the wrong speed or not at all. I am returning it for credit. Like so many tools these days it is cheap Chinese junk. Cannot recommend. If you want a good one you will need to buy at least the Dewalt DW788 (about 470 bucks). It is get what you pay for, I guess.

It was a little shaky at first....better now bolted down

llego super rápido, pero nunca funciono la bomba del aire, después de unos minutos comenzó a hacer mucho ruido y rompió la sierra, la apague y debajo de la maquina estaban tiradas, estas piezas pequeñas. lastima, tengo mucho trabajo y esta maquina no sirvió para nada, la verdad la compre por el precio, pero aquí si aplica el dicho de que lo barato sale caro. les recomiendo que inviertan en algo mejor.

Saw works good, no way to adjust tension on the arms other then when installing the blade.

There is nothing I disliked about this iteminfacti couldn't ask for better.

Very please with the saw, works well, vibrate a little when on high speed. but I don't need to go on high speed. Couldn't install a spiral blade on it but I ordered a small piece from Sears parts that fix my problem., Tks