Scroll Saw Reviews | How to Shop For A Good Scroll Saw

A scroll saw can be incredibly useful If you have a need to make precise and intricate cuts on wood and other materials. However, with so many types and brands available, choosing a scroll saw can become a daunting task. Today, we'll look at a few primary considerations that can help you make the right choice that is most suitable for your particular needs. We'll also dive into a few scroll saw reviews and helpful tips to help you start shopping!

Choosing the Right Saw for Your Needs

A scroll saw is an electrically powered saw that has the ability to cut and make cut-outs in wood and other materials such as metal or plastic. It cuts like other saws, such as a band saws or jigsaws, but it is much more accurate, faster and sharper to use. To choose the right scroll saw for your needs, you first need to determine the type of work you will be doing.

If you only require simple cut-outs, a lower-quality saw might suffice as you do not require a scroll saw with many features. However, if you will be doing some intricate woodwork and cuts that require precision cutting, then you may need a higher-quality saw with many of the bells and whistles. If your woodwork falls somewhere in the middle and is used for more craft-inclined projects, then a mid-range model would probably be most ideal.

For professional work and precision cuts, a high-end model with several features is the right choice. It is important to note that you should choose the best saw that is within your budget. To learn more about using a scroll saw versus a band saw, watch this helpful video:

Major Advantages of a Scroll Saw Versus Other Saws

There are many types of saws that can cut scrolls or make non-linear cuts such as scroll saws, band saws, and jigsaws. The major advantage of a scroll saw versus a band saw is that a scroll saw makes much more intricate cuts, including 90-degree cuts; whereas a band saw is more appropriate for making gentle curves.

A jigsaw can also make intricate cuts, however, a scroll saw is stationary, whereas the jigsaw is handheld. There are several advantages of a scroll saw vs a jigsaw, as the scroll saw can do 3D fractal and pierce cuts which a jigsaw cannot. The scroll saw also has varying speed controls due to its powerful motor and making the scroll saw nearly vibration-free and relatively quiet.

The arm of the scroll saw is designed to avoid under or over or cutting as the blade will stay perpendicular to the cutting surface. The scroll saw has several advantages. A major advantage of the scroll saw is it its ability to cut intricate patterns with small radius curves. It also uses very thin blades and can be small enough to thread through a 1/32″ hole. It produces precise and clean cuts which require little or no sanding.

For help choosing the right blade for your scroll saw, use this informative video:

What Features to Consider While Comparing Scroll Saws

Although there are many types of scroll saws to choose from, there are several features for scroll saws to consider while comparing each for purchase. The most common features to consider for the average at-home woodworker are the speed and capacity of the scroll saw.

Metal and plastic require slower cutting speeds than wood, so you should choose a saw equipped for your most common usage. Older scroll saws may only offer a few speeds, while newer, higher-end models offer variable speeds making your saw more versatile. Saw size, or capacity, is based on throat depth, which is the distance between the blade and the rear frame.

Most scroll saws with a 16- or 18-inch capacity is suitable for most home users. Professional use might require a larger capacity such as a 20-inch saw size. Although there are several features, look for saws that have a blade-tensioning system that will provide for quick blade changes, and tilting tables for better cutting angles.

Other Considerations When Choosing Scroll Saws

There are also other features to consider when comparing different scroll saws. For instance, there are several blade related features such as quick-release tension levers and tool-free blade changes. The type of table can also be an important feature to consider as it can vary in the type of material it’s made of.

Unlike the aluminum of other types of tables, cast-iron tables are extremely durable and allows your material to slide smoothly over the table. You can also choose a table that tilts in both directions, instead of just to the left.

The table on most scroll saws tilts up to 45 degrees to the left but some tables can tilt in both directions, so you will not have to flip your work material. Since saw dust can be a serious health hazard and a pain to clean up, a scroll saw equipped with a dust port allows you to connect your tool to a dust collection system directly to your saw, so you can remove sawdust before it has a chance to enter the air.

To learn tips and tricks on how to use a scroll saw, watch this video:

The DeWalt 20-Inch Variable-Speed Scroll Saw is designed to help you create accurate, detailed workpieces with ease. It is user-friendly, has a cast-iron table, and has a flexible dust blower to keep your work area clean. The DeWalt DW788 scroll saw has a double parallel-link arm design that helps reduce vibrations.

The arm pivots from the back of the saw to the front, shortening the distance that the arm needs to move resulting in a quieter and smoother saw operation. You can control the scroll saw's electronic variable-speed control ranging from 400 to 1,750 strokes per minute. This saw also has tool-free blade changes and an adjustable table.

The DeWalt scroll saw weighs 56 pounds giving it a heavy-duty feel, yet it is portable enough to move around the shop easily. The table also bevels 45 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the right so you do not have to flip your working material.