Many people said that a scroll saw is a waste, but only real woodworkers know the importance of this tool. After reading the best scroll saw reviews, you will understand why we need it.
A band saw can’t perform some tasks which only a scroll saw can do, making intricate cuts, for example.
However, before making perfect results, having a suitable scroll saw is a must. Many readers said that they don’t have enough knowledge to choose the best one. There is never the best for everyone. You can base on your demand and preference to pick up an appropriate product.
Below, we will let you know what the scroll saw is, how to choose, and of course, the top 5 products on the market:
A scroll saw (pedal-operated saw) is a small electric machine which is used to cut intricate pieces of metal, wood, and other materials. Compared to a power jigsaw, the fineness of its blade makes more delicate cuts.
It’s easier to use than a fretsaw or a hand coping saw. The best capacity is to create curves with edges when you pivot its table.
How To Choose The Best Scroll Saw?
Choosing the best scroll saw based on your demands
Investing in a proper scroll saw can change your life, but buying the wrong product is a waste. Therefore, you should carefully learn how to choose the best scroll saw with the following considerations:
Platform
The platform of a scroll saw is the work table. Usually, everyone wants to have a big enough work table, which allows them to perform many different projects.
Furthermore, it must be sturdy because the running blade may cause vibration. A stable platform can minimize vibration and make more delicate cuts.
The arm of the scroll saw
The link arm and holding down the arm can also help you reduce vibration. Each different model has different kind of arms to hold your work in place.
Based on our experiences, we strongly recommend you choose the double parallel-link arm. If possible, you had better purchase the adjustable link arm that will determine the thickness of the wood.
Throat size
The throat size helps you determine the volume of work that you need to complete when using the scroll saw. It is the distance from the front to the back of the blade. Usually, you will see 22-inch-16-inch scroll saw on the box.
It’s best if you can cut double the size of the scroll saws throat, but this thing depends on your preference and demands.
Blades
This is one of the most critical parts of a scroll saw. There are two basic kinds: pinned and unpinned blades.
Pinned blades work well for bigger and less intricate pieces of wood while unpinned ones are great to make the fine detailed cuts. Thus, you must know what you need to cut to choose a proper saw and blade.
The majority of the newest products allows you to change the blade quickly. This is important and necessary for those who use their scroll saw regularly because the blade tends to wear over time.
Another crucial thing is the blade storage. We see that most of the workshops are usually messy all the time. You won’t want your important item is misplaced in a mess, right?
Variable control speed
The variable control speed allows you to adjust the different cuts to fit each project.
The more powerful unit allows you to cut through thicker pieces of wood while the slow blade suits to cut delicate pieces more.
Other features
The best scroll saw should have other added features such as an adjustable dust blower/ a dust port, and a light. Pay attention that using flashlight is hard to make exact cuts. We strongly recommend adjusted LED lights.
Best Scroll Saw Reviews 2021
Even when you know how to choose an appropriate scroll saw, it’s difficult to pick up one while there are thousands of products available on the market. Thus, let you refer to our top 5 machines based on our experiences as well as others’.
1 – Shop Fox W1713 16-Inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Although this saw isn’t designed with the parallel arm link to minimize vibration, you will still feel great after learning its amazing features as follows:
It’s straightforward to remove the blades. Moreover, all essential tools are available in the package to perform different tasks. You don’t have to spend any extra amount of money.
Here is the best part:
The majority of the projects which need to use a scroll saw is in low-lighting conditions such as basements and garages. Thus, you should consider Shop Fox W1713 with price under $200, which comes with the gooseneck work light, supporting you to have a clear view of your working space.
Apart from that, there is a fixed dust blower and dust port to blow dirt away from your working area.
While its variable speeds allow you to adjust your work on the table, its variable tilt table can tilt up to 45 degrees to make sure that you cut your items at many different angles.
Though the cast iron material brings durability, this compact model is lightweight enough to move around your workplace.
It doesn’t create significant vibration, so you should invest in this great product at a reasonable price if your cutting skill is good enough.
Pros
A two-year warranty
Quiet
Reasonable
Stable table
Cons
A bit hard to adjust the proper amount of pressure
WEN 3921 has a lot of outstanding features which you find in the expensive brands.
Here are the examples:
The dual direction cutting capability allows you to cut both forwards and backward, so you save a significant amount of time, and you will complete your projects quicker.
It’s fine to use WEN 3921 for bigger projects because of its enormous 16 inches – 11 inches cutting platform allows you to cut wood up to 2 inches thick.
Are you worried about an accident when using this machine?
There is a hold down to lock in your works. It will keep the whole model from moving and sliding while the blade is working. The lockdown clamp makes sure that you cut all the time precisely.
Moreover, the saw comes with other accessories like an adjustable air pump and flexible light. The former will clean off the dust to ensure that you can see your work clearly to avoid wrong cuts. The latter provides you with more light to support your work in low-light conditions better.
There are two blade cutting positions, so you have 2 choices: the standard use (cutting front and back) and the pinned position (cutting the width of the table.)
Like other products, you can adjust 550-1600 strokes per minutes to control the moving speed of the blade. This guarantees safety for beginners while performing.
Though the design of this scroll allows you to switch the blades, it’s not easy to perform. You may seek help from professionals.
It is not easy to find high-level safety and effectiveness, so you should invest in this product if you can solve its problem perfectly.
Pros
A two-year warranty
The support of the skilled technicians
Impressive design
Low price
Smooth operation
Cons
Not well-built
Best Scroll Saw Around $300
3 – Delta Power Tools 40-694 20 In. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Its electronic variable speed allows you to adjust from 1750-400 SPM, so that you can perform a variety of cuttings.
It features dual parallel link arms to make sure an effective operation without causing primary vibration.
Because it comes with a tilt table, each cut is at an ideal angle.
If you want to change the blade, the good news is that it’s effortless. This task only requires you a few minutes without any tool.
Apart from the machine, the package also includes a storage thing, which contains 2 blades (this is great to retain their sharpness).
When it comes to accessories, we can’t but mention its adjustable dust hose, helping you blow dust from the working area. It enables you to see everything around to avoid cutting wrongly.
Moreover, there is an adjustable light, supporting you to work in low-lighting conditions.
Although this Delta Power Tools 40-694 is pretty heavy, about 60 pounds, this is a long-lasting investment.
In case you want to improve your overall performance, its upgraded versions with a higher price may be useful. However, we think that this machine is good enough to complete most of the tasks. For us, the weight is not a big issue since we don’t tend to move it regularly.
Dewalt DW788 with price under $500, which is famous for long-lasting products, is a trustable brand. It is designed for beginners, which means even the most novice can cut intricate and detailed pieces on any project.
Here is its exceptional feature:
The double parallel-link arm significantly minimizes the vibration, which is a regular issue of any scroll saw. This helps you produce clear cuts as precise as possible.
It also features the flexible dust blower, which takes responsibility for blowing dirt away. There is no build-up of dust that will obstruct the clarity while cutting.
How do you think about the design of this machine?
It is unique, right?
The saw pivots from front to back to cut down the overall movement so that the end will be smoother.
Its variable speed controls (ranging 400-1750 strokes per minute) allow you to slow down or speed up at anytime. This works well for each specific project.
When it comes to weight, it is 56 pounds, so it’s pretty easy and convenient for you to move this lightweight and compact machine from place to place.
This product doesn’t fit those who have a tight budget.
Although it’s expensive, this is a worthy investment. If you can spend this amount of money, you should consider this saw.
Pros
Unessential to change the blade
A Dewalt warranty package including 3-years limited warranty.
Quiet
Sturdy and stable
Easy to use
Cons
Not good customer service
5 – PORTER-CABLE 18″ Variable Speed Scroll Saw with Stand
Because its frame is made from aluminum that is not stable for cutting, we don’t highly recommend it for regular precision cuts of a severe woodworker.
But, the saw has other outstanding features as follows:
The dual tilting table allows you to cut your work at 15-degree bevel to the right and 45 degrees to the left.
What’s more, the cutting table is big, so you can freely make your cuts without worrying about hitting into somebody or something.
When it comes to accessories, this machine has a tool-free blade removal, helping you remove and change a new blade quickly, an LED light which is useful to work in dark places, and an adjustable dust blower for blowing dust away and keeping a clean working area.
Besides, its control knob and bevel scale allow you to adjust the cutting speeds in front of you. This feature is ideal for beginners who have less cutting experiences because it doesn’t suddenly increase speed, causing danger.
Overall, though the die-cast aluminum frame leads to a few issues such as lack of performance and weak cutting ability, it’s fine to make cuts for small projects.
Pros
3-year warranty
Well-built
Reliable brand
Easy to set up
Cons
Not cheap
Poor instruction manual
Cutting your pieces now!
Are the best scroll saw reviews informative? Have you chosen an appropriate scroll saw after reading this article? What information do you want to know more? Please leave your comments below.
In case you are not sure about your decision, you can refer to our choice. We choose DEWALT DW788because it is a long-lasting product. We can cut intricate and detailed materials. What’s more, we are not an expert in this cutting work, so its double parallel-link arm will help us minimize the vibration.
Now, it’s time for you to make your decision and don’t forget to share our article with the people in need as well.
Shop Fox W1713
WEN 3921 16-inch
Delta Power Tools 40-694 20 In
DEWALT DW788 1.3 Amp 20-Inch
PORTER-CABLE 18" Variable Speed Scroll Saw
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