Definition: A scroll saw is a hand or power saw with a narrow ribbonlike blade for cutting thin boards, veneers, or plates into ornamental scrollwork. It is especially used for cutting curves or irregular shapes.

Cutting Curves

Bandsaws and jig saws can cut curves, but as power tools they're fearsome and often dangerous to use. The scroll saw, by comparison, is a domesticated beast. Its strandlike blade, which is just 3 to 5 inches long, moves between two parallel arms that pulsate rapidly up and down through a hole in the cutting table. So gentle is the motion, however, that if you accidentally touch the blade with your finger, it probably won't even make a cut.

For this reason, the scroll saw is a delight for the hobbyist. It is a favorite for turning out thin wood panels known as fretwork that can be used for boxes or wall decorations, and for creating fancy details for brackets and even the Victorian gingerbread trim used on porches.

• Hegner 18" Variable Speed Scroll Saw

Hegner 18 inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw

The Hegner 18" Variable Speed saw is compact, quiet, precise and versatile, lets you cut almost any material and make a wide variety of projects.

Hegner scroll saws are known for easy blade installation, long blade life, superb cutting control, smooth and quiet operation, accurate sawing, smooth edges without sanding, and unsurpassed reliability.

The 18-V is Hegner's most popular model.

• Hegner 22" Variable Speed Scroll Saw

Hegner 22 inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw

When you used your first scroll saw back in wood shop class, you never dreamed you would ever own such a capable and enjoyable tool as your Hegner. Now, whenever the creative urge strikes, your HEGNER is ready!

Features a large 22" capacity to handle virtually any project size and the unique Quicklock tension release system to make fretwork and inside cuts extremely easy.

• 22" Variable Speed Scroll Saw

A quality-built saw that lets anyone make intricate pattern cuts for professional or hobby work. Safety on/off switch with clear blade-shield. Comes ready-to-cut out of the box. Blade size 5.25" x 7/64", pin-end blade style. One-year warranty.

• 120 Volt @ 60Hz, 1.4 Amps Single Phase
• No Load Speed: 700-1400 spm
• Max Thickness: 2-1/3"
• Table Tilt: 0° - 30° left

• DeWalt DW788 20" Variable Speed Scroll Saw

DeWalt DW788 1.3 Amp 20-Inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw

• 20" variable speed scroll saw (400-1,750 rpm)
• Double parallel-link arm reduces vibration
• Tool-free blade clamps
• Front-located on/off switch
• Flexible dust blower
• Cast-iron table
• Includes saw, hex wrench, blades
• 29-1/2" x 19-1/2" x 12.1"
• Weighs 56 lbs
• 3-year warranty

• Accessories for DeWalt DW788 20" Scroll Saw:

• DeWalt DW7880 Scroll Saw Stand
• DeWalt DW7881 Scroll Saw Work Light
• Delta 40-620 3 Dozen Assorted Scroll Saw Blades
• Empire Manufacturing TSS-12D TopSaver Surface Protectant

• Delta SM600 Shopmaster 12 Amp 16" Var. Speed Scroll Saw

Delta SM600 Shopmaster 12 Amp 16-Inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw

Now there's an easy way to handle intricate, inside curve-cutting jobs. The SM600 Shopmaster 16 Variable Speed Scroll Saw offers a full 2" depth of cut for thick workpieces and a 16" arm-to-blade capacity with variable speeds for cutting wood, metal, plastic, and composites. For angle cutting, the table tilts up to 45 degrees to the left.

This unit also has a handy fingertip blade tensioning control that assures longer blade life and minimizes blade breakage. Blade changes are simple with the Quickset II Blade Chuck, which snaps open and closed for fast blade threading and changing.

A removable table insert allows easier access to the lower blade clamp and can be replaced with a plastic zero-clearance insert for splinter-free cutting. The variable speed motor allows you to select the exact speed needed for the best cutting results in a variety of materials. The parallel arm design keeps the blade moving straight up and down for more accurate cutting. An adjustable spring hold down keeps the workpiece against the table for safer, more accurate cutting.

Other convenient features include pre-drilled base holes for easy bench mounting and a dust blower built into the hold down to keep the cutting line free of sawdust for better visibility. Uses standard 5-inch plain end blades.

Choosing a Blade

Scroll saws can be fitted with an assortment of blades that can cut everything from hard acrylic to bathroom tiles with ease, making it a good all-purpose saw - as long as the job is a small one. Scroll saw blades come in a profusion of styles and teeth sizes, and choosing one for a job often comes down to a matter of taste.

See all scroll saw blades.

In general, precision-ground teeth are harder than regular blades, and rarely break.
Some blades cut only on the downstroke, but a reverse-toothed blade--the most popular choice for hobbyists--also has teeth that cut on the upstroke, making for a smoother cut.
Each tooth on a crown-toothed blade cuts both on the upstroke and downstroke, making it ideal for plastics and veneers.
Skip-toothed blades, as the name indicates, contain gaps that pull sawdust away so the blades can move without friction. This reduces the risk of leaving burn marks on the wood.

• Dremel 1830 120V 18" Scroll Saw

• Up-front user controls - Variable speed, blade tensioning, and on-off switch
• 18 inch (457mm) Throat depth - Accommodates projects up to 36 inches
• Tool-less blade holder - No tools needed for fast and easy pin or plain-end blade changes
• Large cast iron table - sturdy support to provide stability to the largest projects
• Accepts pin-end and plain-end blades - for maximum cutting capability

• Delta 40-680 20" Scroll Saw

This premier scroll saw features large 20-inch throat capacity, graphite parallel arm design, powerful six-speed belt drive and built-in dust port. The cast iron base and table minimize operating vibration for smooth cutting performance.

Features include:

• Large 20 throat capacity for larger projects
• 3.5 amp induction motor for cool, smooth running operation
• Cast iron construction for minimal operating vibration and a smoother cut
• Adjustable dust blower keeps sawdust away from cutting line
• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

• Shop Fox H5698 16" Scroll Saw

• 1/8HP, 1 Amp, 110V, 60Hz Motor
• 16" Maximum cutting Width
• Includes a gooseneck work light, dust blower and dust port
• Plain or Pin blades
• V/S: 550-1700 SPM

Curtis Rist, a writer for "This Old House" magazine, parks his power tool collection in New York's Hudson River Valley.

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Tutorial by Curtis Rist - in association with Amazon.com

Woodworking Tutorial: The Scroll Saw