In order to answer the question “which is better, scroll saw or band saw?” we need to first understand the basic difference between the two machines. The main differences between scroll saw and band saw are:
Scroll Saw: The scroll saw is primarily used to cut wood, it has a larger blade that is able to cut long and thin materials easily. However, the downside of having large blades is they can be difficult to control. You will find that there are many cases where the blades will get stuck in tight places, and they will also get tired due to the pressure caused by cutting. Also, because of the large size and weight of the blade, scroll saws tend to be loud, and it can be difficult to maintain and clean.
Band Saw: Band saw is mostly used to cut soft woods. Usually, band saws have a single blade that is able to cut through materials with a large tooth pattern. The advantage of having single blades is the ease of sharpening it compared to a scroll saw, which can be very difficult to sharpen. However, because of the large teeth size and design, this machine is also noisy, which some people find uncomfortable when working on wood.
Which is better, a band saw or scroll saw? Another factor that is often confused as “bandsaw versus scroll saw” is whether to get an expensive blade or a cheap blade. It’s best to get an inexpensive blade as a beginning woodworker and then purchase the right blade later.
The difference between a scroll saw and a band saw lies in its arm design. A band saw has a straight arm and scroll saw have an inclined arm design. As you saw earlier, with a scroll saw, you can cut right through objects with a large tooth pattern while a band saw needs to have an inclined arm. Band saws tend to run quieter as well. With this said, you’ll find the scroll saw to be the easier of the two to work with as it can be used right away to the band saw requires sharpening.
As you can see, both machines can be used effectively for wood cutting tasks. Each machine can also produce various cuts depending on its capability and application. If you’re just starting to learn woodworking or if you’re just cutting smaller pieces, it’s best to start off using a scroll saw. Once you gain more experience, it’s time to upgrade to a jigsaw!