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Scroll Saws

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Scroll Saws are a key saw for woodworkers and other tasks for making intricate patterns and curves in wood and other materials. They might be a lesser-known type of saw but they are great for smaller projects and detailed work. These tools are very useful for specialty work such as detailing furniture or molding, making wooden puzzles and toys, wood home decorations, musical instrument making, and cutting wood joints for cabinetry. Besides wood, you can also cut plastic or fiberglass and softer metals with a scroll saw.  They are also one of the safest saw types to use. 

Scroll saws cut with a short up-and-down motion, in material usually up to about 2 inches thick, similar to a reciprocating type of motion. They consist of a arm containing a motor and holding a thin, needle-like blade a the end of the arm above a work table. The newer models have adjustable blade speeds for cutting complex patterns and using with different material types. Scroll saws are usually benchtop or tabletop sizes and can be rotated 90 degrees for flexible working angles and they can be used by both right-handed and left-handed people.

When looking at a scroll saws, you will want to consider their horizontal cutting capacity, also called the throat size, adjustable blade speeds, blade types of pinned vs. pinless, work table size, and adjustable arm or table.  Other features such as a work light and dust blower. With these features, they make completing projects much easier and precise.

There are many types of scroll saws on the market, so it is important to select the right one for the task at hand. 

I have listed a sample of my recommended scroll saws below to help you make a decision.

Brand & Model
Best Overall
DEWALT Scroll Saw, 1.3 Amp, 20 in Steel Blade, With Variable-Speed Trigger, For Precise Cuts (DW788)
Best Runner-Up
WEN LL2156 21-Inch 1.6-Amp Variable Speed Parallel Arm Scroll Saw with Extra-Large Dual-Bevel Steel...
Best Compact
Dremel MS20-01 Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact Scroll Saw Kit
Best Budget
WEN Variable Speed Scroll Saw, 16-Inch with Work Light (3921)
Low Vibration
Delta Power Tools 40-694 20 In. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Pro Grade
JET 22-Inch Scroll Saw with Foot Switch, Variable Speed, 120V 1Ph (Model JWSS-22B)
Preview
DEWALT Scroll Saw, 1.3 Amp, 20 in Steel Blade, With Variable-Speed Trigger, For Precise Cuts (DW788)
WEN LL2156 21-Inch 1.6-Amp Variable Speed Parallel Arm Scroll Saw with Extra-Large Dual-Bevel Steel...
Dremel MS20-01 Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact Scroll Saw Kit
WEN Variable Speed Scroll Saw, 16-Inch with Work Light (3921)
Delta Power Tools 40-694 20 In. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
JET 22-Inch Scroll Saw with Foot Switch, Variable Speed, 120V 1Ph (Model JWSS-22B)
Throat Size
20 Inches
21 Inches
9.8 Inches
16 Inches
20 Inches
22 Inches
Motor Power
1.3 Amp
1.6 Amp
0.6 Amp
1.2 Amp
1.3 Amp
1.3 Amp
Blade Speed
Variable 400-1750 SPM
Variable 550 to 1600 SPM
Variable 1500–2250 SPM
Variable 400 to 1600 SPM
Variable 400-1750 SPM
Variable 400 - 1550 SPM
Blade Type
Pinless
Pinless
Pinless
Pinned
Pinned and Pinless
Pinless
Price
$599.00
$375.87
$114.80
$119.00
$774.99
$999.99
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
-
Amazon Prime
Best Overall
Brand & Model
DEWALT Scroll Saw, 1.3 Amp, 20 in Steel Blade, With Variable-Speed Trigger, For Precise Cuts (DW788)
Preview
DEWALT Scroll Saw, 1.3 Amp, 20 in Steel Blade, With Variable-Speed Trigger, For Precise Cuts (DW788)
Throat Size
20 Inches
Motor Power
1.3 Amp
Blade Speed
Variable 400-1750 SPM
Blade Type
Pinless
Buy on Amazon
Price
$599.00
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Best Runner-Up
Brand & Model
WEN LL2156 21-Inch 1.6-Amp Variable Speed Parallel Arm Scroll Saw with Extra-Large Dual-Bevel Steel...
Preview
WEN LL2156 21-Inch 1.6-Amp Variable Speed Parallel Arm Scroll Saw with Extra-Large Dual-Bevel Steel...
Throat Size
21 Inches
Motor Power
1.6 Amp
Blade Speed
Variable 550 to 1600 SPM
Blade Type
Pinless
Buy on Amazon
Price
$375.87
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Best Compact
Brand & Model
Dremel MS20-01 Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact Scroll Saw Kit
Preview
Dremel MS20-01 Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact Scroll Saw Kit
Throat Size
9.8 Inches
Motor Power
0.6 Amp
Blade Speed
Variable 1500–2250 SPM
Blade Type
Pinless
Buy on Amazon
Price
$114.80
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Best Budget
Brand & Model
WEN Variable Speed Scroll Saw, 16-Inch with Work Light (3921)
Preview
WEN Variable Speed Scroll Saw, 16-Inch with Work Light (3921)
Throat Size
16 Inches
Motor Power
1.2 Amp
Blade Speed
Variable 400 to 1600 SPM
Blade Type
Pinned
Buy on Amazon
Price
$119.00
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Low Vibration
Brand & Model
Delta Power Tools 40-694 20 In. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Preview
Delta Power Tools 40-694 20 In. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Throat Size
20 Inches
Motor Power
1.3 Amp
Blade Speed
Variable 400-1750 SPM
Blade Type
Pinned and Pinless
Buy on Amazon
Price
$774.99
Prime Status
-
Pro Grade
Brand & Model
JET 22-Inch Scroll Saw with Foot Switch, Variable Speed, 120V 1Ph (Model JWSS-22B)
Preview
JET 22-Inch Scroll Saw with Foot Switch, Variable Speed, 120V 1Ph (Model JWSS-22B)
Throat Size
22 Inches
Motor Power
1.3 Amp
Blade Speed
Variable 400 - 1550 SPM
Blade Type
Pinless
Buy on Amazon
Price
$999.99
Prime Status
Amazon Prime

Stay tuned for more articles on Scroll saws coming soon.  

In the meantime, if you are new to woodworking or looking to buy your next saw, see my Different Types of Saws post to answer questions about each one.

And if you are on the “fence” about Scroll saws, Band saws, and Table saws, seem my Band Saw vs. Scroll Saw and Band Saw vs. Table Saw posts to answer key questions about these popular types of saws.  

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We’re a team of engineers, contractors, technicians, and woodworking experts who use power tools daily and share fact-based information, tips, and recommendations. At thetoolgeeks.com, we debunk myths about power tools and share methods to use them effectively.

The Tool Geeks Team

We're a team of engineers, contractors, technicians, and woodworking experts who use power tools daily and share fact-based information, tips, and recommendations. At thetoolgeeks.com, we debunk myths about power tools and share methods to use them effectively.