Best Scroll Saws For The Money

Last Update: October, 2023

If you are interested in woodworking, whether it’s for business or pleasure, it is important to have the proper tools. Scroll saws are hands down the best power tool for accuracy when cutting.

Its fixed position allows you to move your material around the saw, rather than the other way around for the best control over your cuts. You can also cut not only wood but plastic, plexiglass, thin metal and much more. Scroll saws vary in brands, features, and cost, but there is something for everyone at any skill level.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the best brands on the market that we’ve narrowed down. We’ll also share the factors you need to take into consideration to help you make the most informed choice.

More About The WEN 3921 Variable Speed Scroll Saw

The Wen scroll saw has a large range of speed options from 400 SPM to 1600 SPM. The best thing? It can take on a wide variety of projects with many types of materials.

The dust port keeps your work area clear and a flex light is built in to make sure you can see exactly where you need to cut. You can change out your blades without any tools and a cast iron base allows for greater stability and vibration reduction.

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More About The Dewalt DW788

The DW788 scroll saw is designed to cut down on both noise and vibrations to give you a more accurate cut. This is done through a double parallel arm that can also be lifted to thread materials through without having to jam them in.

A flexible dust blower guarantees your workspace stays clear and you can easily change out blades without tools. An oversized cast iron table allows you more room for control and balance as you work. It’s also very effective in reducing your vibrations while optimizing your blade’s ability to cut straight.

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More about The Shop Fox W1713

Shop Fox’s W117 scroll saw is designed with both a dust port and dust blower. These are to keep your workspace clear and prevent any build up that could interfere with your work.

You can choose between speeds of 500 strokes per minute to 1700 strokes per minute to take on a wide range of materials. A work light also provides added illumination to your work. There is also an option to use plain or pin blades depending on your preference.

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More About The Shop Series RK7315

The Shop Series RK7315 is made to provide you with a scroll saw that can be easily moved as you need it. It is designed with a 16-inch throat size and is a lightweight option for anyone who does not have enough space to leave it out when not in use.

Onboard storage allows you to keep your blades right in the scroll saw and never worry about misplacing them again. If you are looking for a hobby scroll saw for a small garage workshop, this is a great option.

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More About The Excalibur EX-21K

Excalibur’s EX-21K scroll saw comes with a steel stand so you can prop it up in any location. This allows you to work inside or outside, without needing to worry about something strong enough to support it.

The stand is also compact enough for you to negotiate around it with larger materials. You can choose between 400 strokes per minute and 1550 strokes per minute and a dust collection kit is included to keep your workspace clear.

An upper and lower blade guard and foot control switch are also included for added safety measures.

About Scroll Saws

Scroll saws are designed for accurately cutting through a wide number of materials. But it is important to look at the specific features that come with each model when determining which is best for you.

Blades

There are several different types of blades that can be used on a scroll saw and each serves a distinct purpose. These blades are distinguishable by the way the teeth are positioned in order to make certain kinds of cuts.

There is a standard tooth blade that has evenly spaced and identically sized teeth. A wood blade has larger teeth than the standard blade and has more space between the teeth for sawdust to escape and prevent build up.

A metal blade for a scroll saw is made with small teeth that are very close together to work through the more durable material.

The skip tooth blade has spaces where every other tooth should be. This is designed to provide a wider space between the teeth to keep the blade from overheating. The skip tooth blade is ideal for beginners.

Speed

The speed is a crucial factor in finding the right scroll saw for your needs. The speed typically ranges from 400 strokes per minute as the lowest speed and 1800 strokes per minute as the highest.

Slow speeds like 400 strokes per minute are ideal for thinner and more brittle materials like woods and veneers. The faster speeds like 1800 strokes per minute are designed to cut through much more durable materials like leather.

The best scroll saws will provide you with the ability to control the speeds. Variable speed control will allow you to make incremental changes to access the speed you need for the specific material you are working with. This allows you to work with a wide range of materials on one machine.

Throat Size

The throat size of a scroll saw is key in determining whether that model will work for you. Throat size is determined by measuring the distance between the blade itself and the rear frame. If the throat size is not large enough, you will not be able to take on larger projects.

Controls

To provide you with the most convenient experience, it is important to have easy to access controls. You’d also want the ability to easily change settings as needed.

There are many scroll saws that also have pedals to control it for a more hands-free experience. This is so you can focus on holding the material you are cutting.

Its Blades

Scroll saws have a variety of different blades. And some are standard while others are for specialty applications.

Pinned blades are intended for thicker materials, in particular, wood. Unpinned blades are better used in applications that require finely detailed, intricate cuts.

Wood blades are designed with more space between teeth to help clear sawdust as you cut. Meanwhile, metal blades have teeth more closely placed together.

Standard blades are true to their name and have evenly spaced teeth throughout the blade. Many beginners may opt to use a skip tooth blade rather than a standard design. This is because the teeth have wider spacing, and it keeps the blade cooler for longer.

Tips for Choosing A Scroll Saw

Check for Ease of Use

No matter how much you enjoy woodworking, struggling with a saw is a pain. It can make your work take much longer. The ideal scroll saw is easy to maneuver and has controls that you can safely and easily use.

This means that you should be able to access controls placed close to your hands and distinguish one control from another easily.

Next, look at how easy or difficult changing out the blade is.

Tool-free blade changes aren't mandatory. But they definitely make things much easier. For beginners, a compact scroll saw may be easier to use overall. This is because it will be smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable than a larger model.

Speed

The speed of your scroll saw will be different, depending on the model you select. So check to see how many strokes per minute your saw can handle.

These speeds can average anywhere from 400 (an average low speed saw) to 2,500 (on the average high speed saw). So it's also a good idea to look for a scroll saw with variable speed control. This will allow you to change your cutting speed to match the projects and materials you're working on.

Included Adjustments

There are a ton of different adjustable features that scroll saws can come with. Some will come in very handy depending on what kind of work you're doing.

As mentioned above, speed is a big factor to look at for possible adjustments. If the saw has adjustable cutting depth, it's even better!

Scroll saws that make the best bevel cuts have adjustable tables. They allow you to better angle your blade and get better quality cuts, so check for this feature. If the arm design is adjustable, that allows you even more specific control over the cuts you get.

Cut Depth

Depending on the materials you work with, you'll need to be able to cut at different depths or thicknesses. Typically, scroll saws can cut depths ranging from 1 ¾ inch to 2 ½ inches or more.

Make sure you have a good idea of the materials you mean to use with your scroll saw. This is so you can ensure your saw will cut deep enough to get through the material.

Added Features

Extra features won't make or break a scroll saw. But they can make a big difference in how you work. When you're looking at extra features, prioritize the features you want most. This will help you avoid overspending on the things you don't want or need.

For instance, some scroll saws may include extra blades (or different varieties). This could be a solid investment for a frequent woodworker. But it could also be a largely unused addition for infrequent or casual woodworkers.

Extras like safety features and dust removal systems or included air pumps are a good investment. They increase the longevity of your saw, and make it safer to work with. Convenient blade storage helps keep everything safely contained away.

Another popular feature is the work light. This is typically a led light placed on the saw. It helps illuminate your working areas, and provide extra clarity when you're working in tighter, more difficult to see in areas.

Scroll Saw Usage Tips 

If you want to get the best use of your scroll saw, follow these tips to get a better experience:

Safety First

Safe operation with power tools is discussed a lot, but it bears repeating: safety always comes first. Always wear protective gear.

That means before you even get to work, put on your safety goggles or glasses, gloves when needed, ear protection, and a dust mask.

Even the smoothest saw can have debris, so don't take the chance.

Watch Your Hands

Always keep your hands a safe distance from the blade, and pay attention to the placement of your fingers. When you're making a cut, use both hands. Use the thumb and forefinger of each hand to stabilize and move the wood.

While you can change the pressure and angle of either hand to better guide the material through the blade, don't entirely remove either hand. This is because your material will become unstable and possibly ruin your cut.

Pay Attention to Speed and Timing

You should be able to get a good feel for the speed (also called feed rate) as you begin to cut your material. If your saw has an adjustable speed, change the speed until you get to a comfortable feed rate.

A good feed rate will allow you to slowly move your material through the cut and make adjustments as needed.

Pay special attention to your speed when you need to make small, detailed cuts and go slower.

Keep the Blade at its Best

While it's well known among professional woodworkers, the fact is that a dull or damaged blade should never be used. If in doubt, just change the blade out (ensure the saw is powered off and unplugged before doing a blade change).

Make sure your blade is always secured and correctly tensioned. If you're doing a blade change, pay attention to the blade position. The teeth should be pointing down at the table and pointing forward.

Start Sawing Prepared

Taking time to prep your saw and workspace can make for a much more enjoyable and safer experience. Your scroll saw should be securely fastened to the table before you begin work. Don't neglect this step.

Make sure your workspace is free of clutter and debris. If your scroll saw doesn't have built-in lighting, make sure you have plenty of supplemental light so you can see clearly.

Lastly, always make sure all the handles are locked before you start up your saw.

Conclusion

Scroll saws are a great tool for hobbyists and professionals alike. They're convenient and require very little maintenance aside from blade changes when needed.

It's important to look for the scroll saw that's going to fit your needs, enhance your work, and provide user-friendly operation. We've gone over the main aspects and features you need to consider when you're looking for one of these handy tools. But if you want to do your own research, it's a good idea to look at scroll saw reviews.

You'll be able to get a look at how the typical user likes it, and what features make one scroll saw better for you than another. Whichever model you end up deciding on, always remember to wear proper safety gear.