I share your views completely C-Bag and by the way I'm also an old timer. Frantic in my view reflects my opinion that I would run the machine slower if I could, however as I mentioned, I have not experience with scroll saws.I figure that since the present speed of this machine is the original as designed so, "normal" for it. Plus remember if you read my description carefully, I am not holding the file by squeezing it between the nut and arm like a scrolling blade, but through a hole in the bar held by an Allen socket screw to both arms.
Make sure that you choose one for "plain" saw blades and not "pin" type.