I want a good modelers saw

[Roberts Orca]

Ok. Byrnes seems to be the cream of the crop. But there are so many to choose from. Can anyone actually make sense out of all the choices. Cost isn't really a factor for me. I want good quality, rugged construction, easy to use and adjust. 

If Byrnes is the one, please explain why. Thanks for any and all input.

[Edwardkenway]

Hi, if shipping had not priced it out of my budget, the Byrnes saw is what I would have bought, after all the comments and recommendations on here and elsewhere I would say it's a no brainer if you have the funds. Just my two pennies worth. 🙂

[bruce d]

The advice is overwhelming that the Byrnes is the best. Having finally got one, I agree.

I previously had a Proxxon FET and it cannot be faulted it if it is used for the light jobs it was designed for. It is a very good modellers hobby saw but the Byrnes is a precision tool. If you can justify the expense, no contest.

[Bob Cleek]

Why is a Ferrari better than a Corvette? :D  There is no comparison between any of the Byrnes Model Machines (I have all three) and anything else on the market. (I've pretty much seen them all.)  Read all the reviews on this forum, and others. I've never seen anything other than rave reviews on Byrnes tools.

 

As for the saw,

1.  Quality of construction is unsurpassed. The fit and finish is perfection. There isn't a piece of plastic anywhere on the thing, except maybe the insulation on the power cord and the shop vacuum hose spud. They are made in a small workshop by a master machinist, not a mass production factory with unskilled labor, and it really shows. 

 

2.  The machine is made of CNC-machined parts and nobody else can match its accuracy tolerances. Order one with the micrometer fence adjustment, the machine's tolerances are finer than your eyesight.

 

3.  Order the cross-cut table, and you will have a machine that can do whatever you need in terms of straight cuts in wood or light metals at a level of precision you can't get anywhere else.

 

4.  The saw takes four inch blades. Most all of the competitors take three inch blades. The extra inch of cutting capacity alone should convince anyone the Byrnes saw is the one to have.

 

5.  It has much more power than the other micro-saws. This is very significant. The other saws can zip through balsa and basswood as well as a Byrnes saw, but when it comes to hard woods, they often struggle. The Byrnes saw isn't a "hobby tool," it's a very serious piece of professional grade machinery.

 

6.  It's made in the USA and you can pick up the phone and actually talk to the guy who makes them. When ordering, you can have your saw configured exactly as you wish, e.g. extended table, tilt table, accessory choices, and end up with a "bespoke" machine. If you call, I'm sure Jim Byrnes will be happy to advise you how to best configure your saw to do exactly what you want to do with it.

 

7.  How often do you buy a tool that makes you feel good just looking at it? The Byrnes saw is the Purdey shotgun of small table saws.

[Roberts Orca]

Thank you to all who replied to my question. Being new to ship modeling, I have much to learn. One thing I have learned in my over 35 years of cabinet making is, the very best tools, coupled with the right blades, makes for a much more accurate and enjoyable building experience. Having said that, there is also something to be said about the mind that demands excellence. 

I'm looking forward to getting my own Byrnes saw. I'm falling in love with my new ship building hobby. And I greatly admire the caliber of skill and excellence that is displayed within these pages. Thanks again for giving me some of your time.

Much appreciation,        Robert 🙂