Once you have the tool, Paul, the real key is to select the correct blades for the job. (One size does NOT fir all.) I get almost 100% of my Scrollsaw Blades from www.mikesworkshop.com. Good prices, extremely fast shipping, and very knowledgeable advice. Just call Mike, tell him what you're cutting, and follow his recommendatations. Wait 'til you see the sdcrollsawn Grandfather Clock on his website!

Ralph

https://www.ptsxpress.com/home/home.asp

Production Tool Supply has shops all over the Detroit area, and probably elsewhere, but I'm not sure where.

This is a heavy tool, so shipping would probably kill the deal if you can't buy in persona.

Once I got my scroll saw, I don't know how I ever did with out one!  Mine sure beats my old method of cutting 1/8th" 5 ply fuselage formers with a coping saw!  Plus, I can undercut my maple motor mounts in the fuel tank area, cut tensioner spars to mount bellcranks, cut plates for removeable LG etc., etc.. I don't really know all the uses I have!

One thing I like to do is cut very shallow kerfs, about 1/4" apart, in the side of the maple mounts where they will epoxy to the ply (or balsa as the case may be) which just gives a better tooth to the epoxy bite.  I use the distance from the blade to one foot of the guide as a gauge for the cuts, maybe 1/64th" deep.

I had a Dremel scroll saw for many years( bought in 1962), it died of old age a few years ago.  I finally replaced it with one of the Harbor Freight ones last year.  It may be my imagination but it seems to vibrate a heck of a lot more than the Dremel.  It does work for the infrequent times I need to do something with it, mostly cutting clearance holes in plywood firewalls and similar stuff.