TOP THREE
1) Best Value DEWALT Scroll Saw
2) Best Budget Rikon Scroll Saw With Lamp
3) Best Quality Delta Scroll Saw
With the wide selection of scroll saws available out there, it can be hard to know what suits your needs. So I’ve collected together nine of the best scroll saws on the market for different levels of performance and price to help you make the best decision.
These were chosen from both some of the most reliable brands and some lesser-known brands with great prices.
Without further ado, let’s check them out.
Specs
1.3-amp motor, 400 to 1,750 strokes per minute
20-inch throat depth
¾ stroke length
16 x 24-inch table size
Table tilt adjustment from 0-45°
70 pounds
Screw-down base
5-year warranty
Dust Blower
The Delta Power Tools 40-694 is a solid well-made scroll saw. It is a bit on the expensive side but the performance of the machine will last a lifetime. This is a great scroll saw for beginners all the way up to regular woodworkers. Delta has a great reputation in the woodworking business and this saw is no exception for their brand.
Positives
The Delta 40-694 has a parallel-arm design made with cast iron, reducing vibrations. In addition, it's got a good throat size for the price and a large table.
The power switch, speed dial, dust blower, and blade-tensioning lever are all placed on the front of the arm, making for easy and convenient access. In addition, both the tension lever and the blade release are well-designed for simple adjustment.
The arm lifts and locks when changing the blades, making the process simple and safe.
Negatives
There’s no vacuum port and no in-built light. This shouldn’t be expected but are nice features to have, so it’s disappointing that the Delta Scroll Saw doesn’t have them.
Also, the arm lock is useful but not as easy to use as it could be. This is because the pin to lock it is located on the back of the saw, out of arm’s reach.
Unfortunately, while the power switch is in a convenient place, it is also nearby other functions and so can be accidentally switched on and off.
Performance
The most powerful advantage of the Delta Scroll Saw is its performance. It has pinless blades that are great for fine detail work and moves at 400 to 1,750 strokes per minute. This should be enough to cut through both soft and hardwood.
Features
The 20-inch throat depth is quite good. Close to the typical maximum, which is about 22 inches.
The upper arm is designed to be lifted up for easier blade threading. This helps with fretting. Unfortunately, the lock for the upper arm is located on the back, which can be inconvenient.
The cast-iron table of the scroll saw is large at 16 by 24 inches. It can be tilted up to 45 degrees to the left or the right, making it easy to perform angle cuts.
There’s an easy-to-adjust speed dial located at the top of the arm, allowing you to choose between the entire 400-1,750 SPM range.
The blade tension adjustment lever also makes it easy to apply force while tightening the blade.
Specs
120-Volt 1.3-Amp motor providing 400 to 1400 strokes per minute
21-inch throat capacity
Direct dust extraction hookup
Large 13-1/2" x 23-1/2″ table surface
Unique “tilting head” design tilts 30° left for 16″, 38° for 21″ and 45° right.
Quick-release blade clamps,
On-board cutting light
Quickly adjustable tension and speed controls
Upper and lower blade guard assembly prevent injury
Positives
The scroll saw has an innovative design and comes with quality construction. Pinless blades are standard on this model.
The powerful motor can handle many material grades without getting hung up or losing power. Suitable for both hardwoods and even soft metals.
The saw is highly functional and accurate in its cuts. The 21-inch machine is large and best suited for heavy-duty use in workshops.
The arm tilts instead of the table so that it can hit many different angles. Great for a wide range of projects.
Finally, the foot petal comes in very handy for accuracy when working long hours cutting intricate pieces.
Negatives
The main negatives are that the machine is made from sheet metal and doesn't have any cast iron components. As a result, it has less weight and a little more vibration.
Second, it’s a bit pricey for a hobbyist. That’s why the renewed model is helpful to keep the price within budget.
Performance
This is a top-quality power tool from a leading manufacturer. Of course, the performance is what you’d expect from such a model, effortlessly slicing through almost anything you can throw at it with a 21-inch depth.
Setting up the saw is relatively easy. It works with a pin-less blade between clamps, which are then tightened with lock knobs.
It starts up quickly and quietly and effortlessly cuts wood, metal, and plastic. Vibration is significantly reduced when the machine is screwed down to a table.
Features
The speed is selected using a knob depending on the material to be cut. This model has nice safety features, including a removable top and bottom wire guard.
There’s a segmented blower fitted under the table for cleaning off the sawdust, which grabs the debris and puts it into a dust bag.
The tilting head is one of its unique features, giving you a stable platform to work with as you saw at an angle. Most scroll saws tilt the table to get this function. The cutting table itself is made of thick, folded steel suitable for industrial use.
The upper and lower parallel arms are designed with industrial use in mind, keeping the blade straight and preventing any deflection.
Specs
120V, 1.3 amp rating with 400-1,750 strokes per minute
56 pounds
20-inch arm length
3-year limited warranty
Positives
The DW788 is a whole-package scroll saw - it is relatively quiet, easy to work and designed to meet the needs of both a beginner and a discerning woodworker.
It features a double parallel link arm that pivots from the back to the front of the saw, shortening the distance it needs to move. This results in reduced vibration, allowing you to work more accurately.
The throat depth is 20 inches and allows up to 2 inches deep cuts. The power switch, speed control, and tension level are all located on the upper arm within easy reach.
It provides a lot of options for its mid-range price point. In addition, the straightforward design means you won’t have to spend too much time fiddling.
Negatives
Unfortunately, it’s not the most robust scroll saw available and can’t power through everything. However, it’s still plenty powerful. There are just other options.
It also only accepts pinless (straight) blades. This may be a bit of a learning curve for some people, but it does have easy, tool-free blade changes.
Performance
Solid performance for a 20-inch scroll saw. The variable speed knob works well to adjust the speed from 400 up to 1750 strokes per minute for everything from delicate work to high-speed, difficult wood.
The oversized cast iron table is excellent support for the material. It bevels up to 45 degrees to the left or right, allowing you to create beveled edges.
Features
Changing the blades doesn’t require any special tools. You can use the blade clamp to change the edge in seconds.
The numbered blade knob gives you exact clarity when tightening or loosening the blades.
It also comes with a flexible dust blower to help keep dust and debris away from your cutting edge. You can quickly move it around to pick up all the dust when needed.
Specs
16-inch throat depth
Variable speed 1.2 amp motor with 550 to 1600 SPM
2-inch cut capacity at 90 degrees
45-degree left table tilt
Accepts pinned, unpinned, and spiral blades
27.5 pounds
Aluminum non-corrosive table
1-1/2 inch dust collection port
Lockable power switch
Positives
The blades of the WEN 3922 have two different positions with variable speeds. It accepts both pinned and pin-less blades and can be placed into the standard or 90-degree position.
Its affordable price tag has the power and versatility to make basic shapes and cuts quite easily. It has nice versatility and variable speed settings that work on various woods and materials. It is excellent for most at-home projects.
Negatives
Compared with the WEN 3921, it doesn’t have an attached LED light and a convenient storage area. However, depending on what you need, the savings of the 3922 may be worth it for you.
Otherwise, it is a great value for your money scroll saw. At 16-inches, it’s not quite an industrial powerhouse but still works for most home projects.
Performance
The WEN 16-Inch Scroll Saw is decent for intricate cuts. It can cut through hardwoods of up to 1" thick with adjustable speeds from 550 to 1600 strokes per minute.
The cast iron base prevents vibration during operation with its fairly spacious 16-by-10 inch table with angles up to 45 degrees.
Blade changes are fairly quick and easy with the fold-down side panel and don’t require any special tools.
Features
The included adjustable air pump efficiently clears sawdust with the 1-½-inch dust port to keep your work area clean.
Blade changes work with pinned, pinless, and spiral blades. It comes with one 15 TPI pinned blade, one 18 TPI pinned blade, and one 18 TPI pinless blade.
Specs
120V, 1.2 amp motor with variable speed 550-1650 SPM
Large aluminum table tilts from 0-45 degrees left
Gooseneck work light
Built-in Dust Port
15-¾-inch throat depth
28.5 pounds
Table size is 10-1/16” x 15-5/16”
5 year limited warranty
Positives
The Rikon 16” Scroll Saw is one of the most affordable scroll saws on the market with exceptional performance.
It has a great range of variable speed settings from 550 to 1650 SPM that helps with precise and detail-oriented cuts. In addition, it is effortless to switch between multiple speeds.
Overall, the machine is quite lightweight and compact. The durable cast-iron base combined with an aluminum table makes for a good combination of durability and portability.
The 45° bevelling is nice and provides a steady and flexible experience.
It also comes with quick, easy-to-change blades and a flexible work light for seeing your work clearly.
Negatives
There are some issues with table stability. The vibrations can make for inaccurate cuts from time to time, which isn’t as much of a problem with other saws on this list.
The work light is a nice inclusion, but it isn’t one of the best on the market. The poor lighting conditions it provides shouldn’t be counted on.
Finally, the air pump isn’t the strongest on the market. However, clean-up of dust and debris is easier with some other models.
Performance
This is a versatile and easy-to-use scroll saw. Its exceptionally affordable price has excellent overall performance and is especially good for detail work.
When it comes to high speeds, stability becomes a problem and can make for more inaccurate work. However, the large tilting table is excellent for its versatility and works from many angles.
Changing speeds is easy with the knob at the front of the machine. Its lightweight and compact design means it can handle a variety of materials, but only up to its 16” throat capacity.
Features
Built-in dust port helps to remove sawdust quickly and efficiently. Not the most powerful but gets the job done. It works with both pinned and pinless blades.
The tilting table is made with a heavy-grade cast iron base and a large aluminum table surface. This combination works well for handling hard materials such as hardwoods.
The bevelling feature of the table gives you the flexibility to work up to 45-degree angles, allowing for many different cuts and patterns.
Finally, it comes with a clear work light to help keep your work visible even in low-light conditions.
Specs
110V, 1.2 amps with variable speed 550-1650 SPM
16-Inch maximum cutting width
Includes a gooseneck work light
It also has a dust blower and dust port
Pin or pinless blades
Positives
The Shop Fox Scroll Saw is an excellent combination of specs, a little less powerful than some on the list but still excellent. In addition, it’s made with high-quality materials so you can rely on this machine for a long time.
It has a large range of available strokes per minute, allowing you to deal with detailed work up to hardwoods.
Solid cutting thickness of 2 inches with a maximum cutting width of 16 inches is sufficient for most projects.
Easy to replace the blade with no special tools required. The variable-speed motor, cast iron table, and the gooseneck work light are all made of solid materials, so you’ll have no issues with durability.
Negatives
The blade change is a little different on the Shop Fox than on most other scroll saws due to their unique design. Therefore, it may require some patience and learning to figure out.
Otherwise, it is a substantial scroll saw for both performance and price once you are used to the blade changes.
Performance
This is a high-quality scroll saw with a decent amount of performance. It’s hard to beat its performance at this price range.
At 550 to 1650 SPM, this scroll saw can really bring the power to slice cleanly through all types of lumber. You can use either pin or pinless blades depending on your preference.
Features
With a 16-inch throat size, it can handle materials up to that width, with up to 2 inches of thickness.
It also does bevel cuts quite nicely. It is straightforward to adjust the angle on it.
It comes equipped with a dust blower connected to a 1-¼ inch dust port, cleaning your sawdust and debris quite easily.
Specs
0.4 Amp, 400-1600 strokes per minute
16-inch throat depth
2-inch cutting thickness
23 pounds
Cast-iron base for reduced vibration
Easy blade changing
Built-in air pump
Positives
It has a nice balance of performance and price and has a good amount of durability and versatility.
It’s compatible with a wide range of materials and designed to be easy to use. In addition, the sturdy design of the table itself is solid and will last for years.
This pairs nicely with its user-friendly design, as it’s compact and portable. Even a beginner can get started with it easily.
Negatives
Unfortunately, it can’t all be good news. The machine knobs are cheaply built so the threads may fatigue over time. Also the blades it comes with are of poorer quality than other blades on this list.
Performance
The capacity is decent for the price. In addition, 16-inch throat depth can satisfy most at-home projects.
It comes with variable stroke speeds of 400-1600 SPM, a solid range that maintains a good amount of accuracy. In addition, the cast iron base is suitable for reducing vibrations and increasing overall accuracy.
Noise-wise, it’s a reasonably quiet machine.
Features
It also comes with a large table for its price, 10 inches by 16 inches. In addition, the table comes with up to 45 degrees of tilting to achieve the kind of beveling you want.
It comes with a thin blade for accurate cutting and is easy to handle. There are no overly complex features here, so it is highly suitable for beginners.
The machine’s body is solid in terms of durability, but the saw blade and fixtures themselves aren’t the highest quality.
Specs
220V, 400-1600 variable speed SPM
Tool-free blade clamp for quick and easy blade changes.
Bevels 0° - 45° left and right.
Includes a gooseneck work light
Includes dust blower and dust port
Plain or pin blades
28 pounds
Positives
The 220V Scroll saw is an affordable scroll saw and has solid performance. The power it has for its size is especially useful.
It has a solid range of variable speed settings from 400 to 1600 SPM and is easy to switch between multiple speeds using its speed control knob.
The 45° table bevelling is nice and provides a versatile experience. In addition, the machine is relatively lightweight and compact, as one of the smallest on the list. This makes it highly portable.
It also comes with quick, easy-to-change blades. These can be either pin or pinless blades as it takes both.
There is also a flexible work light for seeing your work clearly in dim conditions.
Negatives
There are some issues with table stability. With the amount of power this machine has, the lightweight design allows for a lot of vibration to come through. This can lead to inaccurate cuts.
It also doesn’t come from a well-known brand. That means that while it functions well enough, it isn’t supported by a strong warranty or reputation.
While it does include an air pump, it isn’t the strongest on the market.
Performance
This is a versatile and easy-to-use scroll saw. It’s best for beginners looking for a decent amount of power, as it doesn’t have the most accurate cuts but has good performance.
For its affordability, it’s a solid piece of machinery. The tilt is stable and gives the machine a lot of versatility. It works from a variety of angles.
Changing speeds is also easy with the knob at the front of the machine. In addition, its lightweight and compact design mean it can handle a variety of materials.
Features
Changing the blades on this model doesn’t require any special tools. Overall a pretty easy experience.
It also comes with a flexible dust blower to help keep dust and debris away from your blade. You can easily move it around to pick up all the dust when needed.
It comes with an easy-to-use blade. There are no overly complex features here, so it is highly suited for beginners.
Specs
120V, variable speed 550 to 1600 SPM
16-inch throat depth
Cast aluminum table with up to 45-degree tilt
Blade clamp for pinned or pinless blades
Blade tension knob
Dust blower
Cast iron base to reduce vibrations
3-year manufacturer’s warranty
Positives
The Ryobi Corded Scroll Saw is relatively lightweight and suitable for beginner projects. In addition, it’s a great budget-friendly choice for your woodworking.
The cast aluminum tilting table is solid with the full 45 degrees most tables offer. This is pretty good for the affordable model. In combination with a cast iron base, this is one of the ideal pairs for a lightweight, affordable design with the stability and durability to last quite a while and keep accuracy during vibrations.
It’s also nice that it can accept either pinned or pinless blades, depending on your preference.
Negatives
There are just a couple of problems with this machine.
Some of the components are aluminum and plastic and not built for longevity. This is probably because of the vibrations from the machine are rough when it is on higher stroke settings.
Changing the blades on this one is also a little more difficult than on others. Unfortunately, while other parts are all well-designed, the actual switching of blades wasn’t as well thought through.
Performance
It has solid performance for a 16-inch throat depth, with 550 to 1600 SPM. The motor is built with longevity in mind, so it runs nicely without being too intense.
It is intuitive to set up and use, especially for beginners. In addition, the dust blower works well, making it even more beginner-friendly.
The one thing you may struggle with is the vibrations. It does have a bit more vibration than the average scroll saw on this list. This can lower your overall accuracy.
Features
The integrated dust blower works well on the machine, plus the control knobs are all intuitive and easy to use.
The blade clamp doesn’t require any tools and accepts both pinned and pinless blades.
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