So, what is the best wood for scroll sawing? The answer to that question will depend on what you are using your scroll saw for. If you are just a beginner and you are not going to be ripping or jacking up pieces of wood as much as you can with a regular table saw, then the answer to what is the best wood for scroll sawing will be different from what you would expect. If you are using your scroll saw to crosscut timber or you are using it to simply make intricate cuts from different shapes and sizes of pieces of wood, then the best wood for your scroll saw is likely oak or ash. Both of these woods are denser than many other types of wood which makes them ideal for cutting through thicker pieces of wood and what’s more, they both look and feel great when they get wet. This makes them perfect for cutters who like to be able to use their equipment in any sort of condition, including wet or dry.
However, if you want your scroll saw to rip through many pieces of wood and if you want it to stand up to a lot of wear and tear, then you are going to need other types of wood. Why many other types of wood? Because the scroll saw is an expensive piece of kit and to ensure that it lasts as long as possible, it needs to be treated to a very high standard. Many scroll saws are made of a hardwood, which is coated in a protective lacquer. Other wood used for scroll sawing will have to be purchased from a supplier or woodworking specialist.
Of course, you will also need to think about the scroll saw itself. You will need to ask yourself a few questions to help you determine the best type of scroll saw for your purposes. Are you going to need a rough or a stiff scroll saw? Do you need a table saw or do you want the scroll saw to sit on the workbench?
If you plan on working with wood and doing a lot of sawing, then you will want to get a stiff scroll saw. The more expensive ones will cost a bit more but they will last a lot longer than some of the cheaper ones. They will also cost a bit more to operate but this is an investment well made in terms of function and longevity. If you plan on doing a lot of sawing then a stiff scroll saw is advisable.
On the other hand, if you plan on using a scroll saw only occasionally, or if you simply don’t need a stiff wood, then you should purchase a soft wood. It is cheaper than its stiff counterparts and you can find it at most home stores and larger furniture retailers such as Home Depot. Soft wood can also be found at many hardware stores and discount warehouses and there are even some vendors that specialize in just selling soft woods. Although wood is the most common material used for scroll sawing, there are a number of other materials that can be used, including aluminum, brass and steel.
There are a few other factors that you need to take into consideration when you are figuring out what is the best wood for scroll sawing. For one thing, many scroll saws come with a wood scroll blade that is fixed to the machine and locks into place, so you’ll want to make sure that your saw comes with blades that lock securely in place. The width of the blade is also important because it will determine how much material you can cut through safely. The depth of the blade will determine how accurately you can move the scroll. Lastly, the speed of the scroll motor will affect both the speed and direction in which the scroll cuts the material.