We understand how people interested in carving, building, and sculpting want the best quality equipment to facilitate their needs. Picking and choosing the perfect tools for your needs, such as saws, can easily get complicated.
So, we’ve brought you a solution – a list of six options to find the best scroll saw out there. Let’s get right into it!
1. WEN 3921 Scroll Saw
We were generally impressed with the way the blade holder accepts both pinless and pinned blades, adding variety to your toolkit. WEN has gone all-out and set a high standard as it relates to quality and functionality.
Features
- Product dimensions are 26.38 x 13.00 x 14.75 inches
- It weighs about 26 pounds
- Two-direction design (90 degrees and standard), which allows for greater control
- The speed is adjustable and ranges from 400 to 1600 strokes per minute
- Has a foot lock clamp
- Air pump
- 2 inch cuts
- Has a thumbscrew blade adapter for easy blade swaps
- Flexible work light
- Two-year warranty
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy blade changes
- Reliable
- Variable speed
- Quiet and vibration-free
- Great build quality
Cons
- Blades may be difficult to change without pins
- May not do a great job of holding plain blades
If you’re an occasional craftsman or someone who values intricate cuts, this saw is for you! Go get the WEN Scroll Saw. It’s a great saw, with a lot of cool features and you can get it at a reasonable price.
2. DEWALT Scroll Saw (DW788)
What appealed to us most was that a good scroll saw is generally expected to provide around 16-18 inches of throat depth. The DW788 goes a step further and gives you an amazing depth of 20 inches, making it easier to work with larger or more difficult materials. The catalog of user-friendly features was also a pleasant surprise that adds to the value of the saw. We found that the build construction is amazingly solid, so this saw will last you a long time. All in all, we had high expectations from this product, and this saw exceeded most of them.
Features
- Product dimensions are 29.5 x 19.5 x 12.1 inches
- Its weighs about 56 pounds
- Provides a solid 20 inches of depth
- Flexible dust blower, on-off switch, and blade-tensioning lever on the upper arm
- Low noise and vibration
- Quality starter blade
- 1.3 amps
- Variable stroke speed
- Exclusive features that provide high security
- Durable item due to thick cast-iron table
Pros
- High-quality build
- Easy to use: changeable speed and tensioning
- Dual parallel-link arm adds stability
- Tool-free blade changes
- Dust blower keeps work area clean
Cons
- The model is rather expensive
There’s not much wrong with the DEWALT DW788. It’s a great tool and we think it largely deserves its solid reputation. Regardless of whether you’re going to use it for casual scrolling or professional scrolling, the DW788 is a handy tool to have.
3. Delta Power Tools Scroll Saw
What’s most impressive about this saw is that it boasts several cool features at a low market price. A tool-free blade changer, a dust blower, a large tilting table, and some other convenient construction points only add to its resume. Let’s take a quick look at some of the features that give the Delta Scroll Saw its spark.
Features
- Product dimensions are 30 x 20 x 13 inches
- It weighs around 60 pounds
- Solid performance
- Speed variation from 400 to 1750 SPM
- The tilting table can be set from 0°-45°
- Provides in-built storage
- Flexible dust blower
- Large table with dimensions: 16-inch x 24-inch
- 5-year warranty by Delta
Pros
- Relatively less vibration
- A big tilting table
- Storage
- Great strength in the blade and good depth
- The upper arm can be locked
- The blade has a tool-free replacement
- Easy to use: changeable speed and blade tension
- Good price for its features
Cons
- The power button can be unsafe at times
- Does not have an in-built port for dust
- Does not have a work light
- The arm lock button is inconveniently placed
The Delta Scroll Saw is an amazing buy considering its price. It holds its weight amongst scroll saws that come at a higher price.
4. Shop Fox W1713 Scroll Saw
We found that the reason it’ss popular is because of its many features, its affordable price, and its quality build. It was introduced around 11 years ago, and since then it has garnered lots of positive reviews and praise.
Features
- Product dimensions are 12.8 x 26.4 x 15.9 inches
- 37.4 pounds
- Very accurate with its cast iron construction
- Durable because of its almost exclusively cast iron construction
- User-friendly features such as variable speed control of 550-1700 SPM and extra cutting capacity
- Work light
- Dust blower and dust port
- Big 45° table
Pros
- Not much vibration
- A big tilting table
- Storage
- Great strength in the blade and good depth
- The upper arm can be locked
- The blade has a tool-free replacement.
- Easy to use: changeable speed and blade tension
- Great build quality
- Good price for its features
Cons
- The power button can be unsafe at times
- Does not have an in-built port for dust
- The arm lock button is inconveniently placed
5. SKIL 3335-07 Scroll Saw
Moreover, what we found best when trying this saw out was the circular table and the bright LED light that enhances your experience. This saw is pretty good at cuts that require a lot of turning and twisting, so if that’s your priority, you should check it out.
Features
- Product dimensions are 26 x 13.15 x 14.6 inches
- 33.7 pounds
- Electronic variable speed control makes cutting easier
- Unique, bright LED light
- Accepts pin-end and plain-end blades
- Dust blower
- Lightweight
- Increased safety due to an adjustable blade guard foot
- Has a dust collection port
- Simple to use
- Bench mounting is very strong
Pros
- Very strong bench mounting
- LED light brightens up your experience
- Dust port
- A variable speed option/dial
- Works well with both pinless and pin-end 5-inch blades
Cons
- The LED light’s vibration can be irritating
- Unintuitive blade changing
- Does not have a stand for saw
It’s fairly obvious that the SKIL 3335-07 is a saw meant for people who want a good, clear focus as they scroll their way through various materials. It does have some minor problems, such as the LED light’s vibration, so be sure to weigh your needs before getting one. If you think theSCIL 3335-07 is a saw tailored to your needs, be sure to check it out!
6. Rockwell BladeRunner X2
What attracted us to this product is the fact that it has a portable tabletop. It’s best used in simple carvings and might not be able to carve intricate details like some of the other saws on this list.
Features
- Portable tabletop
- Cuts wood, metal, tile, aluminum and plastic
- Has a vacuum port
- Large steel rip fence
- Has a hold-down guard
- Lightweight
- 3-year warranty
Pros
- Tool-less blade changes
- Lightweight
- Cuts a wide range of materials
- Portable
Cons
- Can have poor accuracy
- Not suitable for large projects
If lightweight, simple, no-nonsense crafting is at the top of your priority list, the Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Saw should be your go-to tool of choice.
Buyer’s Guide
The features that come with the best scroll saw is important to consider when choosing one that works for you. Look for dust ports, customizable upper arms, LED lights, table dimensions, adjustable speed options, throat depth, and blade swap methods.
A saw with good add-on features makes it a lucrative commodity for casual and professional buyers.
Flat vs Pin-End Blades
One of the most important decisions you have to make when buying a scroll saw is whether you want flat (pinless) blades or pin-end blades.
Each has its benefits, so you get to pick and choose what works best for you. For example, a flat blade may work in a lot more different situations, such as tight fits, than a pin-end blade. However, it is rather difficult to swap out. Conversely, a pin-end blade is easier to change out but it lacks the variety of a flat blade.
Throat Size
Another important thing to remember about this is the size of the throat. That indicates the length of the scroll saw from the rear of the blade to the very bottom.
As you get more familiar with throat sizes, you will want to experiment with different sizes for different projects.
Pricing
We recommend that if you’re someone who will be using the best scroll saw regularly, you should consider paying for some extra features that facilitate your scrolling experience. However, if you’re a casual user, you don’t need to pay for the extra features you don’t need or won’t use.
Some sturdier saws might be costlier than others but they pay off more in the long run in terms of stability and longevity.
Best Scroll Saws – FAQs
These are some of the most frequently asked questions that may help you in choosing the perfect scroll saw for your needs.
What Type of Blade is Better for Scroll Saws?
For most people, we recommend flat blades that fit into a larger variety of tight, intricate molds, and situations. Saws with pin blades can occasionally be a nuisance for smaller, indoor sawing and cutting. Also, pin blades can break.
Can a Saw be Used on a Table or Do We Have to Use a Stand or a Horse?
Yes, you don’t necessarily have to use a stand or a horse, but it’s generally better to do so. If you use it on another surface, make sure the surface is sturdy and doesn’t vibrate.
How Much Vibration Should I Expect?
Some of the bulkier models don’t vibrate too much, but you should expect some lighter models to produce significant vibration. It will cost a bit more but you can get vibration-resistant saws quite easily.
Can I Use a Spiral Blade with a Scroll Saw?
Yes, most saws allow you to use spiral blades that allow for better cuts and curved designs.
Final Thoughts
This sums up our list for the best scroll saw for your cutting and sculpting needs. However, we strongly recommend that you assess your needs beforehand and get a saw that reflects what you want out of your sawing experience.
For example, if you want intricate and detailed cuts, go for the WEN 392, or maybe you’re a professional who prefers the popular Shop Fox W1713 scroll saw. If we could recommend a single product though, we would urge you to go for theWEN 3921 Scroll Saw.
We do hope you found this article useful! Happy hunting!