Scroll Saw, Its Components, and Best Purchasing Hacks

When purchasing a scroll saw, there are several factors to consider. These include speed and blade type. For most scrolling tasks, higher speeds are best. 

For delicate materials and thin stock, you should use slower speeds. Some woods, such as walnuts, will burn if you use too high of a speed. This is why practice is important to get the best results.

  • Standard-tooth blades

Standard-tooth scrolling saw blades come in a variety of tooth configurations and tooth sizes. Most companies use a numbering system from 3/0 to 12, although metal blades may start at 10/0 or less. Generally, lower-tooth blades are better for thin, softer wood and are best suited for lower-feed rates. In addition, they are less likely to break than blades with higher TPI.

Crown-tooth scrolling saw blades are similar to standard-tooth blades, but feature a space between each tooth. Crown-tooth blades are often used for cutting plastic, Plexiglas, and other materials that require a smooth finish. Crown-tooth blades can be reversed for sharper sawing. Another type of blade is precision-ground, which features teeth that are ground on the side. The result is a finer, splinter-free cut.

The skip-tooth scroll saw blade is an easy-to-use design that has fewer teeth than standard-tooth blades. Unlike standard-tooth blades, skip-tooth blades do not produce as much sawdust. This makes them more suitable for beginner users and for rough-cutting projects.

  • Double skip-tooth blades

Scroll saws with double skip-tooth blades are designed for cutting thicker and harder woods. The two-way cutting action of these blades ensures a smooth, splinter-free cut. These blades are suitable for a variety of projects, including hard/soft wood, plywood, and lexan. They also have a large gullet design to eject chips efficiently. As a result, these blades are great for cutting wood from a quarter-inch to a half-inch thick.

The double-skip-tooth blade for scroll saws is similar to a standard toothed scroll saw blade, except that its bottom few teeth are angled upward. This creates wider ridges between teeth, which result in a cooler cut. These blades are ideal for beginners and for roughing out designs.

  • Precision ground blades

PGT Precision Ground Scroll Saw Blades are the top blades available on the market today. They outperform all other blades in both straight and curved cuts and have wide gullets to minimize burning. They are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet any requirement.

Precision Ground blades are especially beneficial for cutting hardwoods. Their razor sharp teeth and widely spaced gullets reduce the chance of splintering, burning, and chipping. They also deliver a sand-free finish that prevents splintering. Because they are able to cut through thick wood without any chip out, these blades are great for fast production sawing.

  • Final words

This table is designed to hold the project at an angle that is not too steep, so that the blade can run at a smoother angle. It also has positive stops for tilting up to 45 degrees left and right. The tilting table allows you to create bevels, which can be used to make bowls and inlays, so choose the best one before you question your decision.