For any woodworking project you’re working on, it’s necessary to know the best wood for scroll saw cutting. While this isn’t a question of whether or not one wood is better than another, but rather a question of what works best for your particular project. For example, a straight scroll saw cut can be achieved with either graphite or soft wood. If your project will require stiffer cuts, then hardwoods such as oak and maple will work best. When making these types of cuts, however, softer woods such as pine will be a better choice.
Softwood scroll saws are excellent for small intricate pieces such as figurines or small toys. These types of wood work well because they tend to be more flexible and pliable. This means that even when your saw is forced to cut through a thick piece of wood with tight tolerances, the wood will still stay intact. If you have to make a very tight cut, however, soft wood will usually shatter rather than break because it is so brittle.
Many woodworkers prefer hardwood options for their scroll saw cutting needs. Soft wood is great for making ornate scroll cuts, but hardwood options are also available for professional woodworkers who prefer precision with every cut. Some professional woodworkers make a living using only hardwood options for all of their woodworking projects.
Cherry wood is the most popular hardwood for scroll saw cuts. It is available in different shades and grains and produces some of the best results on a scroll saw. Cherry wood is often used for making furniture, but some hobbyists to turn to it for detailed carving, creating elaborate flower decorations for displays and bookshelf-style bookcases. Cherry wood is particularly attractive because of its naturally warm color and distinctive reddish brown streaks.
Beech is another popular choice for woodworking enthusiasts because it offers a smooth consistency with subtle variations in color. The grain in beech makes it very versatile for intricate designs and intricate cuts. Beech can also be used for other woodworking projects because it is available in a wide variety of shades and grains. Being such a versatile wood, it is often used for both furniture and ornamental scroll saw cuts.
Mahogany is another popular option for scroll saw blades. Like cherry, mahogany is available in a wide array of shades and grains. While it is a hardwood, it is a softer wood than many of the other materials that are used for scroll saw blades. This makes it ideal for carving and other detailed woodworking projects that require intricate details.
Plywood is a lightweight wood that is usually particle board with a veneer of medium density fiberboard glued to it. It is a popular material for scroll saw blades because it can withstand high speeds, is strong, and is a soft wood with a smooth, uniform grain. It is also an inexpensive alternative to using hardwoods. Plywood can be purchased at most lumber stores or woodworking supply warehouses.
Hickory is a hardwood native to North America and is popular for making musical instruments. It is also a popular wood for saw blades because of its durability and affordability. Hickory’s grain patterns are unique and create a unique type of wood. Some experts compare the distinctive bark found in hickory to maple’s sapwood, which is what makes maple so valuable as a wood.
Birch is a hardwood that is commonly seen in home improvement and furniture making, and in fact, it is often listed as one of the best woods for scroll saw blades. Birch is a light-colored, coarse wood that is typically reddish brown in color. Birch has a tight grain that produces a smooth surface. Birch also has good quality knots and is an easy wood to work.
Walnut is a common wood material that is sometimes included in combination with oak in scroll saw blades. Walnut is popular because it has excellent strength and dimensional stability. It is popularly used in kitchen countertops because of its durability, and it also does not yellow easily like some other hardwood options. However, like many other hardwood options, walnut does have its drawbacks such as susceptibility to corrosion and scratches.
The types of wood that you use greatly depends on the scroll saw’s scroll pattern. There are actually several different types of patterns, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages when cutting. A popular type of pattern is the flat cut, which is more commonly called a straight cut. This pattern produces less wear and tear on the scroll blade and can produce detailed and intricate patterns with excellent sharpness and durability. Another popular pattern is the crosscut, which is also known as a “dagger cut.” A dagger cut pattern produces a more detailed result and has less wear and tear on the scroll, but it does tend to produce a lighter blade.