A scroll saw is a popular woodworking machine that combines the appearance of both a jigsaw and a lap saw, yet like a jigsaw it is situated in the woodworking shop with the help of a well secured revolving blade. The scroll saw is normally held by a wall mounted platform for safety while it is in use, although models with platforms attached to the table may be preferred if the scroll saw is frequently used. The blade of this saw is a bit smaller than that of the jigsaw and is held in a fixed position in a sleeve or blade holder on the saw’s motor. Unlike a lap saw, the scroll saw is not mounted to the table but sits on a stand on the floor or workbench. A scroll saw has a very large cut area and is ideal for making deep notches, curved cuts and circular cuts. The small blade is easier to control during small or intricate woodworking tasks.
A scroll saw has many different features, including an adjustable blade height, an adjustable cutting depth, a diamond pattern base material and an interchangeable cutting deck. It has many more features as well, such as a front bevel that provides an excellent edge for thin and straight wood, variable speed controls, a dust collection system and dual action closing mechanisms. The diamond pattern base material is pre-cut to exact precision and is perfectly smooth. The blade is securely fastened to the saw’s motor and the dust collection system is easily removed for cleaning. This saw is a compact and lightweight model that makes it easy to store in any workshop.
A basic scroll saw woodworking project consists of two or three cuts. One must be a straight cut and the other two must be angled cuts. Either one or all three cuts must be on the same plane. This is a very important factor in woodworking. If one of the cuts does not match the other, there will be a problem in the joint. This can result in pieces of wood that are not even.
Jigsaws with scroll saw blades have been popular woodworking tools since the inception of the concept of combining sawing with cutters. The early jigsaws had no blade support and used a wood shim that was placed over the blade and used as a spacer. This prevented the blade from slipping off the end of the saw. Today’s jigsaws use rubber blade supports and do not require a shim.
In general, a good set of jigsaws consists of four to six interior cuts. Most have a variety of blade styles with various levels of cutting depth and speed. Some have only one style of finish, while others allow the user to choose from among several different wood textures. Some models have only a single blade style, while others have several styles of blade patterns.
With the exception of some expensive commercial models, all scroll saws use a fixed, curved blade. It doesn’t matter which cut angle the wood worker chooses for a given project; a good blade will always work with the appropriate angle. However, because some woodworkers like to do more than one cut at a time, they may prefer to purchase a blade with a slightly curved finish. The additional sharpening and cutting edge these extra pieces of wood require is eliminated. There is also less chance of nick marks and cuts from sharp repetitive drilling.
Two of the most common types of scroll saw blades are the round and reverse skip-tooth blade designs. A round blade is used frequently for large cuts because it requires little ripping. Because the teeth are small, the woodworker usually doesn’t need as many of them. Smaller pieces of wood frequently have enough wood to get the cut with fewer teeth. For specialty blades, however, the number of teeth does matter because more teeth in a certain configuration to create a finer edge.
The reverse skip-tooth blade is the other common style of scroll saw blade. Like the round design, the reverse is used commonly for large cuts because the teeth are small and close together. In addition, the teeth of this style of blade are more difficult to make blunt cuts because there is a more complex blade design to prevent the blade from dulling quickly. Many scroll saw woodworkers prefer these specialized blades because the specialized angles allow the woodworkers to create detailed and intricate wood patterns. These wood blades are available in various sizes and styles to fit the needs of woodworkers of all skill levels.