I too went with the DeWalt after much research. The problems Barry points out seem to have been resoled a while back. Mine is currently about 3-1/2 years old. I've been through countless blades and hours of use, I primarily use it for 3/4" hardwood stock although it has done its fair share of thin stock for Christmas ornaments, desk signs, window hangings and so forth. The only issue I had was one of the ones often reported on the type II's; the table was not flat. The service center ordered me one without any issue at all (it seemed like table problems with this saw were almost standard procedure). The new table was flat as a pancake and I have had no issues since. LOML uses it as well and we both enjoy it. It is probably the lowest end saw I would consider if you are looking at getting into it. Others I tried were akin to the comparison of a Black and Decker $25 jigsaw (a jumping jack) to a Bosch 1590 (smooooth); totally different animals. Saws seem to come up on the used market with little use from those who thought they were going to get into scrolling but just didn't. Key elements on my list are variable speed, a large table surface, easy blade changes, clear line of sight to the blade to wood contact area and ease of threading for fretwork. YMMV.