Best Scroll Saw [2024 Review]

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Scroll saws are an integral part of any tool collection. If you don’t mind the analogy, whereas a jigsaw is more like a hatchet, a scroll saw is like a scalpel – it allows you to make clean cuts and carve intricate details with extreme accuracy.

I’ll start by sharing some things to keep in mind if you’re planning on buying a new model or upgrading your old one. I also provide my selections for the best scroll saw available.

My Best Scroll Saw Reviews​

​The right scrolling saw for you will depend on your specific needs. Below, I provide my comprehensive ​scroll saw reviews. Since a lot of the features depend on whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced, I’ve broken my reviews out accordingly. 

Soon, you’ll find my pick for a best beginner scroll saw, along with the best overall option. My star rating is 1-5, and it’s based on the following factors: saw power, precision, versatility, and features.

Dewalt DW788 1.3 Amp 20” Variable Speed

The Dewalt DW788 Saw is one of the top scroll saws available on the market. It’s a bit pricier than other options, but it also offers speed, silence, and accuracy.

The design of the Dewalt DW788 arm is the main reason for its impressive cutting capabilities. A double parallel-link arm design helps to reduce vibration and noise as you work, allowing you to create more accurate cuts. The machine’s arm is also able to move for easier operation. The arm lifts so that blades can be easily threaded through materials, allowing you to make interior cuts. It also pivots from the back of the saw to the front, minimizing movement for smoother operation.

Feature Highlights

  • Smooth and accurate
  • Double parallel-link arm
  • Adjustable arm and table
  • Tool-free blade changes
  • Cast iron base table​​​​​
  • ​Extremely sturdy
  • Expensive

The front of the saw’s liftable arm is home to its dust blower, power switch, speed adjustment panel, and blade-tensioning lever. This allows you to make necessary adjustments without having to move the machine. A tool-free blade clamp lets you change out blades quickly and easily. It takes just seconds to switch your tool in between cuts, helping you to work more efficiently. The mechanism is also stronger than in models such as the Shop Fox W1713.

Unlike ​other models such as the General International Power Products or the Shop Fox, the Dewalt DW788 has an oversized 20” cast iron base table that’s big enough to support larger-scale projects and helps reduce vibrations, making your cuts more accurate.​

Essential Specs

  • Throat Depth: 20″
  • ​Motor ​Power: 1.3 amps
  • ​Weight: 56 lbs

Unfortunately, this table’s larger size also means that it takes up a significant portion of most standard garages. It’s also heavy as well, weighing over fifty pounds. The Dewalt DW788 Saw might not be the best choice for someone with limited floor space.

No doubt – in my testing, the Dewalt DW788 is by far the best scroll saw. You’ll pay a pretty penny for it, but you’ll get an amazing and versatile tool.

Shop Fox W1713 16” Variable Speed

Like the WEN 3920, the Shop Fox W1713 Saw is another one of the top rated scroll saws. It includes a wide speed range to let you cut seamlessly through different materials and accepts both pinned and pinless blades.

Feature Highlights

  • ​Variable speed control
  • Compatible with both pinless and unpinned blades
  • Sturdy construction
  • Cast iron base table​​​​​
  • Adjustable holding shoe
  • ​Two-way dust control system
  • ​Flexible work light included

The machine’s pinless connector can be difficult to work with, unfortunately. The mechanism can be finicky, making it difficult to change out blades. It’s also not designed to hold up as well as the rest of the saw and is prone to breaking.

Fortunately, the rest of the machine is much sturdier. The arm is thick enough to withstand relatively heavy use, and the table is made of strong cast iron. Many connections that are weaker on other models are also made of heavy metal material. This is a great metal-cutting saw option. 

If you want to hold your material in place as you work, an adjustable holding shoe allows you to secure it in place without causing any surface damage.

The Shop Fox takes great care to keep your workspace clean as you cut using a two-way dust control system. A nozzle built into the machine blows sawdust away from the line or your cut, while a vacuum port connects to a shop vacuum to keep debris contained. 

Essential Specs

  • Throat Depth: 16″
  • Motor Power: 1.2 amps
  • ​Weight: 31 lbs

This brand has found a way to keep the saw from vibrating very much, making your cutting quite a bit easier (and more accurate). And isn’t that the whole point of the saw in the first place?

Wen 3920 vs Shop Fox W1713

​At this point, you might be asking what is the big difference between the Wen (reviewed above) and the Shop Fox. And it’s true – ​they both have very similar feature sets. ​You’ll find the same motor power, same throat size, same cut depth, and virtually the same weight. ​​​And, the Shop Fox is typically 50% more expensive than the Wen… 

Where the Shop Fox is significantly better than the Wen 3920 is in cutting accuracy. Shop Fox does a much better job reducing vibrations while the saw is on, thus making it a lot more accurate through its cuts. In the end, both models have adequate features, but the Shop Fox excels in scroll accuracy.

A gooseneck work light is included with this model so that you aren’t limited to where you can use it. You can comfortably see what you’re doing at night, in the garage, or in another dim lighting.

WEN 3921 16” Two-Direction Variable Speed

The WEN 3921 Saw offers quality and durability for a very reasonable rate. It is also probably the best beginner scroll saw. Advanced carpenters like the versatility of the frame.

This saw boasts a unique blade holder designed to hold both pinned and unpinned blades. You can also easily change the direction of your cut by turning pinned blades 90 degrees using a tool-free system. A removable pinless blade holder keeps blades safely in place during operation, but the locking mechanism is not the sturdiest. The blade tends to vibrate in place, and the removable unit wears out quickly.

Feature Highlights

  • Affordable
  • Tilting of 45 degrees left
  • Holds both pinned and unpinned blades
  • ​Tool-free blade changes
  • Variable speed control​​​​​​
  • Strong base
  • Foot lock clamp
  • Flexible LED light
  • Built-in blade storage
  • Good with thin materials

The WEN 3920 can be set to a range of speeds, from 550 to 1600 strokes per minute. It’s easy to change the speed for different cuts using a convenient knob located on the front of the machine.

The bulk of WEN’s 16” saw is fairly heavy-duty, including a stable base and a cast iron table bevels up to 45 degrees to the left. These features make it easy to create clean, precise cuts every time.

While the WEN 3921 cuts thin materials well, it isn’t able to handle anything more than 2” thick. It’s best to stick to projects that involve softer woods, plastics, and laminates.

In addition to a strong base, a foot-lock clamp helps to prevent any unwanted shaking or sliding.

Essential Specs

  • Throat Depth: 16″
  • Motor Power: 1.2 amps
  • Weight: 27.5 lbs

The WEN 3920 Saw comes with a number of additional built-in features that aren’t offered by more bare-bones models such as the Dremel Ms20. This saw includes a built-in flexible LED light to help you work in low light conditions as well as convenient onboard blade storage.

It’s got everything you want for basic scrollwork, including a sturdy, cast iron base and a good range of variable speeds.

Delta Power Tools 20″

If you’re looking for ​the best rated scroll saw for beginners, the Delta Power Tools Variable Speed Scroll Saw is ​a standout, as it offers many of the same features as more high-end models.

You can set any speed between 400 to 1600 strokes per minute depending on your material of choice by using a dial located towards the front of the machine. The dial is easy to access and doesn’t require you to reach around dangerous or moving parts.

Feature Highlights

  • Variable Speed Control
  • Tilt 45 degrees left
  • Easy access dial
  • Dust collection port
  • Flex-neck LED light
  • Sturdy cast-iron frame
  • Good for small projects

The Delta Power Tools Variable Speed Scroll Saw is compatible with both pinned and pinless blades, allowing you to work with a variety of materials. It can only cut sections up to 1.9″ deep, however, so it’s best saved for smaller jobs.

A dust collection port helps to keep the area around your workstation free of debris as you work. This not only saves you time cleaning up later on, but also helps to prevent irritation in the lungs. The port fits a standard 1¼ inch hose.

The Delta Power Tools Variable Speed Scroll Saw model comes with a built-in flex-neck LED work light to allow you to work in dim lighting conditions safely.

Essential Specs

  • Throat Size: 16″
  • Motor ​Power: 1.2 amps
  • Weight: 24 lbs

The ​Delta Power Tools Variable Speed Scroll Saw is heavier than other ​similar saws such as the Dremel Ms20, but it’s also sturdier. A robust cast-iron frame holds up against wear and tear throughout the saw’s lifetime, making this one of the best scroll saws.

Dremel Ms20 Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact

The Dremel MS20-01 is designed to be a multi-purpose DIY tool that not only functions as a stationary saw but also detaches from its base to become a portable coping saw. A tool-free mechanism allows for quick change of replacement blades whenever you need to make a new cut, while a convenient auto-tensioning feature keeps the blade taut and ready to operate.

​​​​Feature Highlights

  • Acts as both a scroll & coping saw
  • Lightweight
  • Tool-free blade changes
  • Auto-tensioning
  • Great variable speed control
  • Fast clamp base​​​​​
  • Dust port adapter
  • Accessories included
  • No 45-degree tilt

Variable control of the speed allows you to safely cut through a variety of materials without damaging your saw or its blade. The Ms20 is able to cut through wood, plastic, laminate, and a variety of metals.

This scroll saw is much more lightweight and portable than others in its class, allowing you to use it just about anywhere. A fast clamp base lets you attach the unit to tables, workbenches, and a work surface. Setup is simple, though the included directions are somewhat unclear.

If you kick up dust as you work, a dust collcetion adapter can help you to keep your workspace clean. You can prevent sawdust from building up in the air around you and getting into your eyes, nose, and throat.

Essential Specs

  • Throat Size: 10.5″
  • Motor ​Power: 0.6 amps
  • ​Weight: 5.3 lbs

The Ms20 has a very small throat size in comparison to the other scroll saws reviewed here. Dremel makes up for it with all of the accessories they add.

The Ms20 includes several accessories in the box that you don’t expect, given that it is designed for beginners. In addition to the saw itself, you get an MS50 side cutting blade, four MS51 wood & plastic blades, four MS52 fine wood blades, an MS53 metal blade, and a vacuum adapter. This saw tends to work best with thin materials. The blades have difficulty making clean cuts through thick surfaces or particularly tough metals and plastics.

Scroll Saw​ Features and Considerations

​Most people are aware of the obvious things you can use a scroll saw for. However, it can also be great for:

  • Furniture: If you’re building furniture, you can use the saw for rounding out dovetails, and you can also use it for mortise-and-tenon template designs.
  • Glass for Table Top: If you have a table that you would like to add glass to, a scroll saw can help you cut the glass accurately. Most notably, if the table has any curves, this saw is the perfect tool.
  • Inlayed Pieces: Any woodworking piece that requires inlaying can make use of the scroll saw. For example, this decorative cheese board featured below makes use of inlay.
  • ​Marquetry: A scroll saw is great for adding detailed and sophisticated cut pieces of veneer to furniture to upgrade the look and feel.
A wood cheese board made with a scroll saw using in line technique

Here are the most important things to consider when selecting best value scroll saw.

Size

There are several key components that go into deciding on the overall size of your saw. I’ll review each in-depth:

Throat Length

Throat size is the distance from the blade to the back of the scroll saw. It is important because the maximum project size is twice the throat size of the ​saw you are working with.

For example, a 16″ scroll saw can cut a piece of wood that is 32″ in length.

  • Most homeowners only need a ​model around 15” to 20” for DIY projects. The most common size in this range is the 16” model, and will probably work just fine if you’re a beginner woodworker. 
  • You can find models up to 30” in size, but these are generally reserved for industrial settings. If you want to go big, my advice is to look at a 20” or 21” model.
The history of a scroll saw dates back four to five centuries

Thickness of Cut

Generally speaking, the scroll saw is not the saw of choice for cutting thick material. This tool works wonders at achieving intricacy and precision, but it isn’t set up for thick cuts.

It’s rare to find ​one that cuts material thicker than 2”. This type of saw does not have a powerful enough motor to push through thicker material. In addition, the blade and its tensioning are not set up for thicker cuts.

Work Table

You’ll be spinning and adjusting the material quite a bit as you cut, and a small work table will continually make your life more difficult. Tables that are around 16” will be adequate, with high-end models topping out at 20”.

When it comes to durability, you need your work table to be reasonably heavy and made from a strong material, such as cast iron. Not only does it extend the life of the table, but it is able to smooth out the vibrations of the saw.

Aluminum or cast iron work tables are both ideal materials, and wood should be avoided. You can wax a metal table to make it easier to slide the woodwork across the table.

Features that you need to pay attention to in the top rated scroll saw on the market

Power

Beyond the motor, your saw needs to have adjustable speed settings and compensation for motor vibration. I’ll walk through each of the factors to look into.

Motor

Most decent ​models will have a motor that sits between 1.0 – 1.5 amps. I have a​n option in my review under 1.0 amps that does a decent job cutting material. However, even still, you’ll find that other saws with more powerful motors outperform it, and they are not a whole lot more.

With that being said, a scroll saw with a 1.2 amp motor will do great on the vast majority of material and cuts you need to make.

Variable Speed Settings

In my opinion, the variable speed settings of the scroll are far more important than the outright power the motor brings.

Slower Speeds
  • Better for cutting ​light woods (plywood) and metal
Faster Speeds
  • Better for cutting hardwoods

All of the saws in my review have variable speed settings. Most bottom out at around 400 Strokes Per Minute (SPM), and range as high as 2,500 SPM.

Vibration

Minimizing vibration is very important and should be one of the main factors you take into consideration when purchasing. In my opinion, it is much more important than the power of the saw.

Best scroll saw for beginners

Noise

When you picture a power saw, you envision loud, noisy motors that operate at a high intensity. However, scroll saws do not fall into this camp. Compared to other power saws, these tools are whisper quiet, even when cutting the thickest of materials.

Double arms help to keep the noise down, as do sturdy tables. Some are just naturally quieter than others due to the style and build of their motor.

Arm Design

Blade rocker arm (or upper arm) allows the scroll saw blade to move up and down. In essence, it is what is responsible for allowing you to make cuts with your saw. Generally speaking, more arms is better, because it helps to reduce vibrations, thus increasing accuracy.

Parallel Arm Design and Double Parallel Arm

The parallel arm, or double parallel arm, replaced the rigid arm during the 1970s as the common design in scroll saws. This style of the arm attaches the motor near the back of the arm to facilitate cutting.

A double parallel arm is exactly as it sounds… two arms sit side by side on the​ saw, and work together, thus reducing vibrations, leading to a more accurate cut.

The third type of parallel arm, often referred to as the parallel link arm, incorporates rods to move arms for added accuracy. This type of arm is found in my Dewalt scroll saw review, most notably.

​Raising Top Arm

In addition to tilting tables, you can find saw models that offer a tilting upper arm. A tilting arm makes bevel cuts easier and more accurate by allowing you to keep your materials flat as you work.

If you plan on doing fretwork, then you may want to consider looking into models with a top lifting arm. A lifting arm makes it easier to make interior cuts in a piece and may include a locking mechanism for convenience and safety.

The scroll saw blade is vital to making an accurate and precise cut.

Additional Features

Most of the highest-rated ​options come with a handful of additional features. In my scroll saw reviews, I outline many of these, such as lighting, dust blower, lubrication, and a stand.

  • Dust Blower: I consider some form of dust blower to be essential.
  • Stand: This is great if you’re lacking a spot in your workshop or garage to put your saw.
  • Lights: Having a light on a portable, hand saw, such as the jigsaw, can be highly useful.

​Blade Considerations

As it is with so many power saws, the blade you chose for your saw is vital. While they all look the same (or similar) to the naked eye, understanding what makes each blade type unique will ensure you get the most out of your scroll saw.

You might need to change blades frequently, depending on the type of project you’re working on.

Scroll saw for cutting

​Types

​These saws can accept either pinned or unpinned blades depending on the make and model. Pinned blades are thick and used to cut stronger materials, while unpinned (or pinless blades) can make finer cuts.

Tensioning

Blade tensioning speaks to the area of the saw that allows you to tighten or loosen the blade. You adjust the blade tension quite a bit, almost every time you make a cut, especially if you change blades a lot.

How To Use a Scroll Saw For Fine Woodworking and Ornate Wood Projects

​Conclusion

​As you can see, there are quite a few features to examine and look into when you are evaluating the best scroll saws. My scroll saw comparisons help you analyze what is important, so you don’t have to do all the deep, time-intensive digging yourself. 

I hope my expert advice can help to guide your search and lead you to the perfect saw to add to your garage.

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!

2 thoughts on “Best Scroll Saw [2024 Review]”

  1. After a 3 year absence, I’m coming back to scroll sawing. This is an excellent refresher for me. Thank you for the best one I’ve read so far.

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