Scroll Saw Review: Top 5 Models Compared (Features & Pros and Cons)

What is a Scroll Saw?

Have you ever seen a finely carved piece of wood artwork and wondered, "what tool can make such intricate cuts on wood?" Well, in most cases, a scroll saw is the machine on your mind.

A scroll saw is one of the power saws that can be operated electrically or by a pedal. They're popular for allowing the operator to make specific cuts on different materials that are most commonly wood.

However, to a lesser extent, metals and other materials can be used in some scroll saws as well. The scroll saw has an ultra-fine blade that allows it to perform a more delicate cut than a power jigsaw.

While other saws can also do fine cuts like manual fretsaw or a coping saw, the scroll saw is much easier to use for less effort and time.

The scroll saw has got its name from being traditionally used in making scrollwork sculptures. These were ornaments that are graphically designed by artistically using spirals and incomplete circles.

Scroll Saw's Working Mechanism

In terms of design and sometimes size, a scroll saw is highly similar to the more popular band saw.

They both have a fine blade in the middle, and you need to pivot the work or the table to make the cuts. The main difference between them is that the band saw utilizes a continuous loop to cut the wood.

On the other hand, a scroll saw has a reciprocating blade that allows you to create curves with edges on the piece of wood's internal profile.

You can easily do this by drilling a hole in the wood piece and introducing the blade into the workpiece. After that, you can mount the blade on the saw's arm to shape the artwork. The operator then adjusts the speed and angle frequently to get the job done.

Scroll Saw Review: Buying Guide

Finding a good scroll saw isn't always a walk in the park. That's why it's important to find the best options before making such an investment.

To help you shortcut the journey of finding the best ones, I'll provide you with a carefully selected list that includes the top scroll saws available on the market. Here's a brief overview of each one of them.

Buying a Scroll Saw: Factors To Consider

Whether you're a carpenter, woodworking artist, or hobbyist, buying the best scroll saw is always a critical investment.

For this reason, you should take into account some crucial aspects while buying a scroll saw. These points will help you mold your design into the ideal choice for your needs. Let's check them out.

Price

Typically, a scroll saw can set you back a few hundred bucks all the way to $1,000. As the price goes higher, the features are more comprehensive, and the scroll saws are more resilient and long-lasting.

If you opt for a cheaper model, it might work fine for a few years. Yet, you should expect it to go out of service in a relatively shorter time.

If you're considering the woodworking profession as long-term work, I recommend that you go for a top-quality one in the higher middle of the price range.

Motor Speed

While motors in most saws determine how deep and strong it can cut through wood, you don't need that in a finishing scroll saw. Instead, the motor power here determines how easy and fast it can carve through the wood.

The speed is usually measured in strokes per minute (SPM). However, you should consider that faster speed isn't always better.

For example, a scroll saw with high strokes per minute will be ideal for hardwood. However, it won't be suitable for softer ones. Ideally, look for a scroll saw that allows you to choose between different speed settings.

Cutting Width and Depth

Depending on the size of the cuts you need while working, you should consider the saw's cutting width.

Sometimes, they're referred to as "cutting depth", measuring how deep the blade can cut into your workpiece.

Ideally, you need a scroll saw with a cutting width of about 2 inches. Its highly unlikely that you'll need a scroll saw that cuts deeper, as they're usually used on finished woodwork.

The Saw Blade Type

One of the most important aspects while choosing a scroll saw is the type of the saw blade. Scroll saws come in two main varieties that you need to know.

These ones are the pin-end and the flat-end (plain-end) blades. Here's what you need to know about both.

Pin-End (Pinned) Blades

These blades are usually thicker, so they're able to cut through relatively thicker pieces of wood. They're much easier to lock-in. Since they're more robust, they're easier to use in case of heavier loads.

Also, they set the correct tension on their own. However, they're sometimes too large to be inserted into ultra-small holes. Pin-end blades are simpler and faster to change than the flat-end ones.

Flat-End (Pinless) Blades

On the other hand, these don't have a pinhole. Instead, the flat-end blades will require you to clamp them and set their tension manually.

They come in a wide variety of sizes, including the finest ones, with the highest accuracy for intricate cuts. This makes them ideal for highly defined and intricate woodcuts that pin-end blades might not be able to pull off.

As you can see, choosing the ideal one here depends on your projects' fineness vs. how much time you want to spend on your clamping and to tension.

Throat Size

If you didn't use a scroll saw before, you might be confused about what a throat size or length is. That's why a lot of buyers ignore it while shopping for one.

However, it's incredibly crucial that you pick a decent one, so you can work comfortably, primarily if you work on larger pieces.

The throat size describes the distance between the blade and the arm that holds it while the wood hits the back.

In other words, it dictates how much "workspace" you have on your saw table. Ideally, you need it to be anywhere between 14 to 20 inches for the best results.

A throat size of about 16 inches is more than enough for almost all kinds of woodwork. Make sure that you choose one that suits your work style, so you don't run into problems with bigger pieces in the future.

Warranty

As always, make sure that you'll be covered by a good warranty policy to avoid future problems. A good warranty means that the scroll saw can be repaired or even replaced if there's a defect.

Most ideally, you need a scroll saw that's covered by three years of warranty. It also shows the level of trust the manufacturers have in their products.

In addition to the warranty years, you need to make sure that your warranty policy isn't so limited that it's almost useless.

LED Work Lights

As you know, scroll saws are used for a high level of cutting detail, so you need to clearly see what you're cutting.

One of the most appreciated accessories of the scroll saw is the LED work light. It helps you to work easier and achieve cleaner and more precise cuts. Make sure that they stay intact when the machine starts working, and they're not affected by the vibrations.

Dust Collection

Another excellent feature that you must consider is the presence of a system that gets rid of dust. This system can be either by collecting or blowing the dust.

Dust collectors are usually static, and they collect all the debris into a container to keep your workshop clean.

On the other hand, a blower will continuously clear the area around the blade. You can adjust its hose and control where it shoots the dust.

Tilting Angle and Directions

If you want to create a beveled edge cut, you need a scroll saw that lets you tilt the tabletop area. Scroll saws vary in terms of the titling capabilities. In fact, some of them provide no tilting at all or a very slight tilt of about 15 degrees.

The typical slope for tilting is about 45 degrees. If you want to cut in the other direction, you can flip the board.

However, modern tabletops on scroll saws can tilt in both directions to save you the hassle of doing so and all the mistakes that can occur.

FAQs

What is a scroll saw used for?

Used for woodworking, scroll saws are often used to cut complex curves and joints with great precision.

How long do scroll saw blades last?

Approximately, scroll saw blades last for 15 to 45 minutes of continuous use depending on the type of wood and motor speed.

What can I cut with a scroll saw?

You can cut through a variety of plywood, wood veneers, hard, and softwood with a scroll saw. The thickness depends on the saw model but usually start from 1/16 inches and up to 2 inches.

While a scroll saw is mainly designed to cut wood, some scroll saws can also work with other materials. Here are some of the materials that some scroll saws can cut through:

• Plastics and acrylic polymers
• Metals like brass, aluminum, copper, steel, and nickel.
  

Are scroll saws difficult to use?

After all, the scroll saw is still a power saw, so you need to be careful while working with it.

Having said that, among all types of woodcutters and power saws, the scroll saw is one of the easiest to work with. 

However, it might take a little bit of time to get used to the techniques followed while carving with them.

Conclusion

With that said, you have a thorough guide with everything you need to know and consider before buying the best scroll saw.

As you can see, the top 5 scroll saws are all great at doing their job. However, I recommend the DEWALT DW788 Scroll Saw as the best one to go for.