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Best Scroll Saws Reviews 2021 – Top Picks & Buying Guide

Last Updated on January 11, 2021
Instance 1

Top Overall Pick

DEWALT DW788

DEWALT DW788.
  • 1.3 Amp
  • Blade-tensioning lever
  • Tool-free blade clamps
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Premium Choice

HEGNER M22-V

HEGNER M22-V
  • Double Quicklock System
  • Speed motor: 400-1700 RPM 
  • 7-Year Warranty
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Best Value

Rockwell RK7323

Rockwell BladeRunner X2 RK7323
  • Tool-free blade change
  • Built-in carry handle
  •  No-Load Speed - 3000 rpm
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Scroll saws are seen as very specialized tools, and many woodworkers consider a small bandsaw to be a suitable or even superior alternative.

Nothing can be further from the truth!

A top-rated variable speed scroll saw can be a super versatile tool, from cutting dovetail pins, to some very intricate fret work, or a custom tool holder for your cabinet. A well-tuned scroll saw can cut rings around other saws.

A lot of woodworkers find that after a while a scroll saw is their go to tool for small cuts. Another great advantage of a scroll saw is that compared to most other types of saw it is a lot safer and easier to use.

Choosing the best scroll saw for you in 2020 can transform your shop.


Contents

  • Our Favorite Scroll Saws on the Market
  • 10 Best Scroll Saws - Reviews
    • 1. DeWalt DW788 Scroll Saw - Top Overall Pick
    • 2. Rockwell RK7323 BladeRunner X2 Scroll Saw - Best Value
    • 3. Hegner M22-V Scroll Saw - Premium Choice
    • 4. WEN 3921 Scroll Saw
    • 5. Jet 727200K Scroll Saw
    • 6. Delta Power Tools 40-694 Scroll Saw
    • 7. Shop Fox W1713 Scroll Saw
    • 8. Porter Cable PCB375SS Scroll Saw
    • 9. Dremel MS20-01 Scroll Saw
    • 10. Craftsman 16″ Scroll Saw
  • Final Verdict: Our Overall Winner
    • DeWalt DW 788
  • Best Budget Option
    • Rockwell RK7323 Scroll Saw
  • Buyers’ Guide: Choosing the Right Scroll Saw for You!
    • How Does a Scroll Saw Compare to a Band Saw?
    • What Can You Do With a Scroll Saw?
    • What Features should you look for?
    • Other Factors to Consider
    • How Can You Take Care of a Scroll Saw?

Our Favorite Scroll Saws on the Market


Image
Product
Rating
DeWalt DW788
DeWalt DW788
9.8
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Rockwell RK7323
Rockwell RK7323
9.6
Check Latest Price
Hegner M22-V
Hegner M22-V
9.5
Check Latest Price
WEN 3920
WEN 3920
9.3
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Jet 727200K
Jet 727200K
9.1
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Delta Power Tools 40-694
Delta Power Tools 40-694
9.0
Check Latest Price
Shop Fox W1713
Shop Fox W1713
8.8
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Porter Cable PCB375SS
Porter Cable PCB375SS
8.7
Check Latest Price
Dremel MS20-01
Dremel MS20-01
8.4
Check Latest Price
Craftsman 16in
Craftsman 16in
8.6
Check Latest Price

10 Best Scroll Saws - Reviews


1. DeWalt DW788 Scroll Saw - Top Overall Pick

DEWALT DW788.
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When you first pick up the 20” Dewalt DW788 scroll saw, it screams quality, which reflects its price at around the $500 mark.  The machine comes in at over 65 pounds which makes it sturdy yet manageable, and with a stand and a cast iron table with two spare blades. The table is solid and can be tilted both left and right to 45 degrees.

The scroll arm can be lifted all the way by loosening a knob on the top, which makes changing blades a breeze. Once a new pin-less blade is in place, the top of the blade is easily fixed in position using a wingnut, and the blade is tensioned with the conveniently placed front mounted tension lever.

The dust blower that comes with the scroll saw is also excellent. It is long enough to be easy to position at any angle and is capable of producing a clear area of work approximately 2 inches around the blade. When it comes to precision the scroll saw is top notch mainly due to its blade rocker arms, which produce minimal vibration, and precise cuts.

What really stands out with the Dewalt DW788 scroll saw is the ease of use. The machine is pretty much ready to go straight out of the box and requires minimal fettling to produce quality work, that is why we pick this as our best scroll saw on the market today.

With variable speed control, easy adjustments, and a scroll arm that lifts up, the machine can handle almost every imaginable task, from Fret work and Intasia work, to general cutting of small work pieces–the Dewalt DW788 can handle everything you throw at it.

Sadly, nothing is ever perfect in life, and even though the scroll saw is a pleasure to watch and work with, it does have a minor issue. The only drawback of the scroll saw is the 2 blades that come with it. They are somewhat lacking in quality, and you are better off purchasing some aftermarket quality blades to get the best results.

Pros

  • Double parallel arms
  • Quick blade changes
  • Variable speed control
  • Lifting and pivoting arm
  • Quiet operation

Cons

  • Can lose speed
  • Large space between clamps

2. Rockwell RK7323 BladeRunner X2 Scroll Saw - Best Value

Rockwell BladeRunner X2 RK7323
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This compact scroll saw is one that you can use both on job sites and at home because it weighs only 15 pounds. Designed to cut through different materials such as plastic and aluminum, it doesn't work as well on hearty woods. The included rip fence both gives you more control and helps make accurate cuts.

It takes only three seconds to change the blade without any tools. Rockwell also gives you a five-piece blade set and a three-year warranty.

Pros

  • Cuts wood, plastic and other materials
  • Compact
  • Weighs 15 pounds
  • Makes 3,000 cuts per minute
  • Large rip fence

Cons

  • Doesn't work well with all types of wood
  • Takes time to make some cuts

3. Hegner M22-V Scroll Saw - Premium Choice

HEGNER M22-V
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Basically, the Hegner 22” is a beast of a scroll saw, with a price to match costing nearly $2000. It is the ultimate saw and costs nearly double the other most expensive scroll saw on the list. With that much throat capacity (22”) it can handle almost anything you throw at it.

This is a professional grade scroll saw that comes with a powerful motor that runs quietly and can cut just about anything. The variable speed has a SQM of 400 to 1700. The build quality means that even at the highest speeds there is no detectable vibration in the blade.

Hegner has its own unique dust management system that gives you three choices. You can opt to use the included blower to eliminate the dust from around the cutting area. You also have below table dust extraction. Alternatively, you can use both at the same time which will eliminate almost all the dust produced by the machine.

Overall the Hegner 22" variable speed scroll saw ticks almost every box; it is a quality machine that can slice through a variety of materials—even steel with the right blade. The scroll saw has a super solid table that and can be tilted both left and right giving you great versatility.

The only issue with the Hegner is the price; the machine has few drawbacks. Watching the Hegner do “its thing” might fill you with the desire to have one, but the price is hard to justify,unless you are making some serious money from your scroll sawing.

Pros

  • Quick tensioning system
  • Seven-year warranty
  • Variable speed
  • 22-inch capacity
  • 400 to 1700 RPM rating

Cons

  • Small size
  • Can fall over

4. WEN 3921 Scroll Saw

WEN 3921
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At 28lbs the WEN 3921 scroll saw is one of the lighter models on our list, but at under $100 it is our choice for the best scroll saw for the money. However, the weight and price do not detract from the quality of the build. The machine feels high quality and performs likewise. Seeing the scroll saw at work you can’t believe the price and weight of this machine. In Addition with a 16” throat depth and  a 2” depth of cut it is capable of handling most tasks.

Despite the lightweight the scroll saw is equipped with a cast-iron table that creates a solid base to work on. Coupled with the blade rocker arms and a variable speed control from four hundred to one thousand six hundred Strokes per Minute (SPM), the end result is a fantastic low vibration machine leading to high ACCURACY of cutting.

Changing blades is simple, and both pinned and pinless blades can be used. Changing the blades can be done without tools, and blade tensioning is relatively straight forward. The blower produces a clean area around the blade, giving a clear field of vision to your work surface.

The included work light provides adequate lighting although it could be brighter. The scroll saw comes with inbuilt blade storage which is convenient if you have a lot of blades for all your cutting tasks.

With features including a generous 2” cut capacity, variable speed, a large cast-iron table, and a budget friendly price the WEN 3921 Saw is an ideal purchase for beginners, or those after a great budget option.

The main drawback of WEN 3921 is the motor which is rated at 1.2 amps. At this level of power, it is slightly underpowered to cut through harder materials like metal even when fitted with a quality metal cutting blade. The scroll saw performs well with most wood cuts, although the motor can struggle a little when faced with thick hardwoods.

Pros

  • Variable speed of 400 to 1600 strokes per minute
  • 45-degrees beveling
  • Cuts boards of up to two-inches
  • Fast tool and blade changes
  • Built-in flexible light

Cons

  • Clamps can get in your way
  • Blower lacks power

5. Jet 727200K Scroll Saw

Jet 727200K
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The Jet 727200K Scroll Saw is one of the larger ones on our list at 22” and comes in at close to $1000. The scroll saw comes with a stand and is equally at home in a professional shop or a garage shop.

Like most quality machines, it comes with a large solid cast iron table, giving you a sturdy top to work on. One of the unique features of the table is the SLOT from the front of the table to the blade, as can found in band saw tables. You can tilt the table in both directions up to 45 degrees.

The scroll saw has an innovative and integrated blade clamp and tensioning system. The upper portion of the blade is easily inserted into its holder, and then a cam lever is used to both secure the blade and tension it at once. The lower blade is also easily removed and changed.

The machine comes with an inbuilt tool that lets you fully secure the blade in its lower mount. Changing saw blades is made even easier by the top arm, which can be lifted up to 10” to give you ample space.

The above table blade tightening tool is integrated in the blade storage rack, that can be mounted to either side of the scroll saw—making it easy to use whether you are left or right handed.

When it comes to dust collection the Jet 727200K is equally innovative and comes with both an above table dust blower, and below the table dust extraction. The blower makes easy work of dust particles and leaves the area around the blade clean and visible. The under-table extraction is good but like with all scroll saws, it is not exceptional.

This scroll saw is professional grade with plenty of cutting power, versatility and a generous throat depth. The footprint of the scroll saw and stand is small so if you need to tuck it away in the corner of your garage shop it won’t take up too much precious space, leaving you ample room for the rest of your power tools. A 5-year warranty gives you peace of mind and shows that Jet are really standing behind their product.

Unfortunately, the scroll saw is not ready to use out of the box and needs a little tune up and maybe some research before first use. You may find that the blade holder screws need tightening before first use.

Pros

  • Larger size
  • Variable Speed  range: 400 to 1550 spm
  • Tilting top arm
  • Blade storage rack
  • Dust collection

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Blade screws can be loose

6. Delta Power Tools 40-694 Scroll Saw

Delta Power Equipment 40-695
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The Delta Power Tools 40-694 Scroll Saw will put a near $700 dent in your pocket, but it is a great variable speed scroll saw, with a range of strokes per minute going from 400 to 1,750 SPM. The scroll saw features a 1.3 Amp motor which delivers plenty of power for most cutting tasks, although with harder wood you will have to back the SPM down to ensure a smooth clean cut.

The variable speed scroll saw has parallel link arms which eliminate vibrations, resulting in stable and accurate cuts. At 20” throat capacity and a cutting depth of 2 1/8” the scroll saw can handle most tasks. The table is made of cast iron and is large enough to support most pieces of work. The table tilts to 45 degrees both left and right, although at that angle the depth of cut is REDUCED to 1 5/8”.

Delta Power Tools 40-694 scroll saw uses pin-less blades, and changing blades is tool-less. It only takes a few seconds to change blades, which is made even easier by the front blade clamp, and the lifting scroll saw arm which can be moved up and locked into position. Seeing the scroll saw at work, the included dust blower is seen to work reasonably well and leaves a nice clean area around the blade.

This Delta Power Tools 40-694 is the best scroll saw for entry level with plenty of features and enough punch for most tasks. The ease of blade change combined with low vibrations makes this scroll saw a great piece of kit, especially if you do a lot of fret work.

The tool does not come with its own stand, which can be a pain if you don’t have some dedicated space for it in your shop. You will either have to reorganise or build something for it to stand on. Opting to purchase the scroll saw with a stand and integrated light significantly pushes the price up.

Pros

  • Variable speed range 400 to 1,750 spm
  • Parallel link arms
  • Tool-free blade changes
  • Cast iron
  • Dust blower

Cons

  • Does not come with a stand
  • Expensive with the optional stand

7. Shop Fox W1713 Scroll Saw

Shop Fox W1713
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The Shop Fox W1713 variable speed scroll saw is the best scroll saw for DIYers with a host of features and will not cost you that much.  It comes with a solid cast iron table that can be tilted left up to 45 degrees. At 16” throat capacity the saw is ample for most jobs and the table provides a strong base to work on.

The saw accepts both pinned and pin-less blades. Changing blades is NOT tool-less and will require you to use a tool to loosen and tighten a set screw that holds the blade.

The saw has dust extraction both above and below the table. Underneath the table is a port to attach a shop vac, while on top there is a goose neck blower. The blower does a good job clearing the area of the cut from dust, although it does tend to blow it forward into the operator’s lap.

Shop Fox W1713 scroll saw provides a good balance of performance and price. It is versatile with a wide range of capabilities, that overall make it a good choice. One of Shop Fox best features is the included goose neck light which is bright and adequately illuminates the work surface, especially if you don’t have perfect vision and need a little help.

The main drawback with Shop Fox is the tooled blade change. While it seems easy at first glance, it does take some getting used, you might even have to check out some videos of the saw in operation to perfect your technique, before you can do it seamlessly. Even then it is not as quick or as easy as blade changes on other scroll saws on our list.

Pros

  • 18-horsepower, 1.2-amp motor
  • Variable speed range 550 to 1700 spm
  • 16-inch cutting width
  • Built-in work light
  • Dust port and blower

Cons

  • Produces a lot of shaking
  • Poor quality control

8. Porter Cable PCB375SS Scroll Saw

PORTER-CABLE PCB375SS
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The Porter-Cable PCB 375SS is a decent scroll saw that is mid-priced at around $300. It comes with a host of features including 18” throat depth , which lets you handle slightly larger pieces of wood. The saw has a solid aluminium table and comes with an aluminium framed stand.

With a 1.6 Amp motor and a variable speed of 500 to 1500 strokes per minute, the machine has enough power and versatility to cut through various materials.

The saw tilts both left and right, enabling cuts up to 15 degrees on the right and 45 degrees on the left. There is no dust collection below the table, however there is a goose neck blower that keeps the cutting area around the blade clear.

The saw takes both pinned and pinless blades and includes tool-less blade change. This is achieved in a second or two with two thumb screws, one at the top blade mount and one at the bottom. While easy to change, getting new saw blades in place can be a little awkward until you get used to it.

Porter Cable variable speed scroll saw has incorporated a host of clever features in the scroll saw. The small LED light is on a flexible arm and can be positioned just where you need it. Although small it provides ample lighting for the work. Another great piece of forward thinking by Porter Cable, is that most of the features like blade tensioning and such are at the front of the saw, making them easy to reach and use.

Checking out the saw you can see where this saw fails to deliver, and it is on its overall build quality and the aluminium table. Together they give the saw a less than stable feel, making detailed and intricate cuts difficult and a hassle.

Pros

  • Large aluminum table
  • Dust blower
  • 45-degrees beveling
  • LED work lamp
  • Variable speed range 500 to 1500 spm
  • Adjustable speed control knob

Cons

  • Blade can bounce and shift
  • May not be completely level

9. Dremel MS20-01 Scroll Saw

Dremel MS20-01
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Keep your area clean with this Dremel MS20-01 scroll saw, which comes with a dust port adapter that works with any vacuum system. Thanks to its design, you can use this as both a table saw and a handheld saw. When using it with a table, the included clamps keep it secured.

The quick-change design of the Dremel MS20-01 helps you quickly attach any accessories and adjust the blade to make it as taut as you need. It is compatible with various blades, including those designed for side, metal and fine wood cutting.

Pros

  • Quick accessory changes
  • Dust port
  • Handheld option
  • Blade guide
  • Clamps to worktables

Cons

  • No miter gauge
  • Lacks a ripe fence

10. Craftsman 16″ Scroll Saw

Craftsman 16 in.
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With a Budget friendly price close to $150, the Craftsman 16″ Variable Speed Scroll Saw comes with a 2” depth of cut, making it suitable for most simple scroll sawing tasks. The machine is powered by a 1.6 Amp induction motor which provides plenty of power. The scroll saw has a wide range of strokes per minute, from 400 to 1600 strokes per minute.

Like a lot of craftsman products, the build quality is great with most of the scroll saw made of metal, and the table made of cast iron. The table is only capable of tilting left, up to an angle of 45 degrees. The table is relatively large 17 1/8″ by 10 1/4″ which offers plenty of support for most work pieces.

The scroll saw comes with a dust blower, which although short is quite ingenious in design allowing you to accurately direct the dust both away from the blade and the operator. Under table dust extraction is also included, and you can hook up a shop vac to eliminate dust from under the table.

Both pinned and pin-less blades can be used with the Craftsman Saw. Although unlike most scroll saws on this list changing blades is not tool-less, and you need to use the supplied tool to loosen a set screw to release the blade.

The scroll saw comes with integrated blade storage, four pinned blades and 1 pin-less blade. The inbuilt storage is convenient and makes storing a multitude of blades very straightforward.

For a budget saw this craftsman’s motor is batting above its average and packs a lot of power. Combine this with a solid cast iron table, and the versatility of using pinned and unpinned blades, and the scroll saw provides a good balance across the board.

Not surprisingly with its budget price when you see this saw in action, it becomes apparent that the saw is suspect to a little vibration at higher speeds, although this is relatively minor and can be coped with by dialling the cutting speed back a little, which is a happy compromise between speed and vibration.

Pros

  • Multidirectional dust blower
  • Cast iron worktable
  • 45-degrees beveling
  • 1-1/4-inch dust port
  • 400 to 1600 RPM range

Cons

  • Lots of vibrations
  • Runs a little rough

Final Verdict: Our Overall Winner


DeWalt DW 788

DEWALT DW788
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The DeWalt DW 788 has it all. This scroll saw is robust, with plenty of features from a solid cast iron table that tilts both left and right, to simple and easy tool-free blade change, the DeWalt has every feature you would ever need, which makes it our Overall Best Scroll Saw.

When you compare price and quality this scroll saw is not too expensive and delivers fantastic value for money—performing as good as or even better than many more expensively priced power tools.

Simply put it is the kind of machine that your kids will be telling their kids dad taught them to use.

Scroll saws have a place in every workshop, even if you don’t do loads of fine fret work. They are incredibly versatile, and relatively much safer than a band saw, or a table saw. Our Top pick for our best saw reviews is the DeWalt DW 788. It has it all and delivers fantastic value for money. The saw performs as good as or even better than many more expensively priced power tools on our list, and is robust and high quality that it will last for generations.  


Best Budget Option


Rockwell RK7323 Scroll Saw

Rockwell BladeRunner X2 RK7323
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For those on a budget, you can’t do any better than the Rockwell RK7323 BladeRunner X2; the saw is very budget-friendly and offers a host of premium features normally found in scroll saws costing several times as much.

The blade rocker arms ensure there is minimal to NO vibration, and the cast-iron table provides a solid and stable base for your cuts. The ease of changing blades combined with the overall quality features, and robustness is top notch. At this affordable price, it is our winner for the best scroll saw on a budget.


Buyers’ Guide: Choosing the Right Scroll Saw for You!


Scroll saws are a great way to introduce beginners to the world of woodworking because they are so easy to use. You probably used some of these power tools or similar saws if you took a shop class in school. We'll use our buying guide to go over the top features of scroll saws and answer some of the questions you might have.

How Does a Scroll Saw Compare to a Band Saw?

Band saws consist of one large and sharp blade with several smaller blades along the edges. They are suitable for finishing work because they leave behind a smooth edge that usually doesn't require any additional sanding. Band saws are expensive and can take up a lot of space.

Scroll saws are like a scaled-down version of a band saw but use an up and down motion rather than a reciprocating motion. You can think of this saw in the same way you would a sewing machine. The blade moves down and into the wood, then comes back and punch down again.

What Can You Do With a Scroll Saw?

The best hand scroll saw can help you make intricate designs in a piece of wood and create a decorative scroll pattern. You can create new patterns just by the way you twist and turn the wood as it moves under the blade. Scroll saws are also suitable for projects involving two or more pieces or types of different wood.

Rigid vs. Parallel Arms

Scroll saws can feature either a rigid arm or a parallel arm. Rigid arms were popular up through the 1930s, which was when jigsaws landed on the market. As you cannot adjust the arm, you need to move the wood in new directions.

Machines with parallel arms are so popular today that you might have a difficult time finding one with a rigid arm. This arm can move in the direction that you need without producing a lot of vibrations and will work with the speed control that you usually see on the top of the machine.

Pin vs. Plain End

These saws can also have a pin end or a plain end blade. Pin-end models can limit the projects that you do because they are large and can get in the way. You may find that you cannot make intricate designs or fast turns too.

Those that feature plain end blades are easier to use and more flexible. You can easily move them into any existing holes that you drilled into a board also.

What Features should you look for?

1. Throat Size

The throat size is the first thing you will look out when purchasing a scroll saw since it determines the maximum size of a piece of wood you can cut. The throat size is the distance from the back of the blade to the back of the saw arm.

You can cut a piece of wood that is double this distance. The Throat capacity varies from 16” to 30”.

The throat capacity of a best scroll saws for most beginners and people who work with smaller pieces is 16” to 20” which is perfect for your needs.

If you are an experienced woodworker, the throat capacity of the best scroll saws is 20” to 24” inches as this works with bigger pieces. 30” scroll saws are pretty much a professional realm where you are making specialist cuts. Remember with big pieces unless they are internal you can always USE your band saw to make some of the cut.

2. Tooled or Tool-less Blade Change                    

Choosing a scroll saw capable of tooled or tool-less blade change is very important and will be the difference between it being a joy to use or a total pain. Having to constantly reach for one or two tools to change your blade can become very frustrating, especially if you are doing the kind of work that requires a large number of blade changes.

Most professional woodworkers prefer a saw that has tool-free blade change,since it is much more convenient to take out the blade, make and adjustment, and then attach the blade again.

One word of WARNING about tool-free blade changing, is that the mechanism used to attach the blade will often wear out after repeated use. Despite this drawback most professionals still prefer them, since changing the mechanism every few years is much better than the hassle of using tools all the time to change the blade.

3. Dust Collection

If you want a spotless table after using a scroll saw, then a scroll saw is not for you!

There is no machine available that features stellar dust extraction, since it is very difficult to extract dust efficiently from under and above the table without interfering with the mechanisms inside, or the operator’s vision from above.

Most scroll saws have a small blow tube that is used to blow the dust off the table and workpiece. Make sure the one you SELECT has a tube that can be moved and will easily hold its position. That way you can direct the dust off the table and ensure that you don’t end up covered in sawdust. Fortunately, scroll saws do not produce a significant amount of saw dust.

4. The Hold Down Foot

The hold down foot is an arm that comes down from the main saw arm and has a U-shaped tip which slides around the blade. Its main function is to securely hold down your piece of work.

The hold down foot is important especially for beginners and when you are working with thin stock and veneers. Professional woodworkers tend to remove the foot, since their skill level can compensate for its absence, and more importantly the foot can damage more intricate and delicate pieces.

5. Blade Type: Pinned or Unpinned

Scroll saw blades come in two flavors: pinned and unpinned.

Pinned blades have a small pin sticking out of the side of the blade at the top and bottom, used to securely fix the saw to the blade. As a rule, pinned blades are THICKER, which means they can be used to cut much thicker stock accurately. On the other hand, they DO NOT ALLOW for tighter detail cuts to be made.

Pin-less or unpinned blades are an improvement on pinned blades. There is a much wider selection of unpinned blades, from some designed to cut thick stock to those designed for intricate cuts and fine detail work.

6. Blade Tensioning

Blade tensioning is similar to tool-free blade change: select a saw that is awkward or difficult to tension and it will make using the saw a chore, since you have to tension your blade every time you change it. Some scroll saws have a cam or a lever located at the head of the saw, while smaller scroll saws tend to only have a knob located at the back of the arm.

The main DRAWBACK with a knob at the back of the arm is that it can be awkward to get to and difficult to use as you try and make minor adjustments to blade tension. What’s more, if you like to use your scroll saw in a seated position for comfort, you will have to keep getting up to reach the knob.

7. The Work Table: Size and Title

The size of the work table is important; think about the size of the pieces you would be typically working with, whether the table can support them, and whether you can spin the piece 360° and still have it supported.

You need a table large enough to be able to support your piece fully. Then you need to check out how durable your table is. Your best option is to go with a cast-iron table that will last a lifetime. If you opt for an aluminum table, make sure that it is relatively thick and strong. It is best to avoid scroll saw tables made from wood.

Next you have to look at table tilt. Some saws have a table that only tilts in one direction—either left or right. More high-end saws tilt in both directions, making it easier to make beveled cuts in both directions. Bear in mind that on some models the table itself does not move, but the saw arm with the blade will tilt.

The million-dollar question with any tilting table is the ACCURACY and holding of the angle. The best way to check this is to head down and actually get your hands on a model you are thinking of buying. Take with you a digital angle gauge, and you can easily determine the accuracy of the mechanism and how easy it is to adjust and dial in that perfect angle.

8. Blade Rocker Arm

The blade rocker arm is the mechanism that controls the up and down movement of the saw blade. The most common type is the single arm, which is long and reaches from the front to the back of the saw,and pivots around a point at the back. Due to the distance from the pivot point to the tip of the arm, an UNWANTED amount of side to side movement can be generated, especially when the blade is running at a high speed.

This side to side motion translates into vibration in the blade which makes fine detail cutting difficult. This type of mechanism is more common in cheaper saws since it is less expensive to produce.

Higher quality saws have a series of small levers that work like cams to move the blade up and down. Since each arm is much smaller the range of up and down motion is smaller. This reduction in range results in almost no side to side motion being created. This eliminates most vibration and means you can make very accurate and precise cuts.

9. Raiseable Top Arm

Some scroll saws have a raiseable top arm; while it is a nice feature to have its interest really depends on the type of work you are doing. If you do a lot of fretwork (cutting a shape out of the inside of a piece of wood) then a scroll saw with a raising arm is invaluable and makes life very easy.

10. Work Light

If you do a lot of detail work, then a work light can come in very handy. Even in the most well-lit workshop, nothing beats a light directly above your work. Know that if you have good lighting and you are not planning on doing fine detail, then the absence of a work light is not a deal breaker, and plenty of woodworkers manage quite well without one.

A work light tops the nice-to-have but not-essential list.

Other Factors to Consider

Scroll saws can come with a host of other little features, of which NONE are essential, but many nice to have.

With a large number of different types and style of blades, you can use on a scroll saw, it is convenient to have inbuilt blade storage. What is more, the blades can be delicate, so storing them in a purpose-built drawer in the saw is ideal.

Quite a few models of scroll saws come with their own stand, whether you use it or not will depend greatly on your shop layout and your preference; for example, will you build a mobile cart to place it on, or do you have space already for your scroll saw? Either way a tool stand should not be at the top of your priority list, but is nice to have.

Finally, one thing to be aware of is if the saw needs lubrication. While most modern saws have bushings and bearings that do not need lubrication, there are still some models on the market that require lubrication after several hours of cutting.

How Can You Take Care of a Scroll Saw?

While you won't find many tips on taking care of a scroll saw, there are some things you can do before and after using the best mini scroll saw or any other type.

  • Choose a No. 3 or smaller blade when working with lighter woods and a size of 7 or higher with heartier woods.
  • Always start at the slowest speed possible to make sure that you have control
  • Oil the arm bearing at the top and bottom of the arm to keep it lubricated and moving smoothly
  • Use a vacuum to remove sawdust and any other debris that the collection system missed
  • Check the clamps for burrs and other issues
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