Last Updated on 2021-06-17 by Harry Masterton
We have looked at several products and taken into account what owners of those products had to say. Our own experiences dictate that the best hobby scroll saw includes several key factors:
- The saw needs to be easy to use. As a hobbyist you want to spend time making things, not learning how to operate complex machinery. The hobbyist's scrolling saw has to have simple controls, quick saw blade change-outs and operating instructions that are easy to understand so as a woodworker starting with scroll saw projects you can get started quickly using those scroll saw patterns!
- It should be easy to move and store. That will not be a problem for most benchtop designs, but using heavy materials for the housing or large throat clearances can create issues. Users will prefer designs that do not take up a lot of space and are light enough for even the smallest user to carry.
- A good mini scroll saw needs to be adjustable. A consistent theme that users and manufacturers alike look for is saw blade adjustment. Smaller scroll saws that offer the ability to cut bevels, miters, straight, and free-hand are preferable.
- Accuracy is a must for detailed cuts often associated with hobby scrolling. Anyone buying a mini scroll saw for hobby use is working with tiny workpieces that require intricate cuts, inside cuts and intricate curves. Saw blade support and tensioning need to prevent movement that will cause you to come off the cutline as you work.
- The best hobby scroll saws ensure that you have good cut line visibility while you're working. An integrated dust blower will generate puffs of air that help to keep sawdust from building at the point of contact. Some models include dust extraction that uses a shop vacuum hose to remove debris from under the worktable.
Mini Scroll Saw For Hobby Use
A scroll saw is only as good as the blades it uses. Products that use saw blades from several manufacturers are better than proprietary products.
You will find various types of standard scroll saw blades available for scroll sawing. The pinless blade or plain end blades, pinned blade , pin end blades or a spiral blade.
Ideal features you are looking for will be variable speed control, quick blade change and a front lever to get that blade tension just right for the type of wood you are using.
The more blade adjustments you have the better. Saws that use saw blades from several manufacturers are better than proprietary products.
You will need to have plenty of room to turn items around the blade on intricate cuts. Most hobby projects will not require more than 12 inches of throat depth, though.
A good warranty goes a long way towards building consumer confidence. Manufacturer support is helpful during the lifetime of your scroll saw.
Dremel Moto Saw Ms20 Review
Our Dremel Moto Saw Ms20 review highlights the flexibility of this compact power tool. The Ms20 is ideal as a mini scroll saw for hobby use with a length of 9.84 inches and a width of 8.5 inches. It converts between a handheld electric coping saw and a scroll saw secured to a table with little fuss.
Dremel Moto Saw Ms20 – Features
A 0.1 Horse Power electric motor powers the handheld scroll saw. It would be underpowered for larger projects, but users that make small decorations or miniatures can use it without overworking it.
We were surprised to find that several Dremel Moto Saw review articles glanced over the dust collection feature. The best hobby scroll saw designs include this, and it is impressive that Dremel adds it to this handheld electric saw.
What are others saying about the Moto Saw? Several owners were surprised by how effective this handheld coping saw was. It allowed them to do intricate work for models, figurines, and decorative scrollwork on thin materials.
Most users connected the Dremel to their worktable, but some have used it as a handheld on large pieces. The biggest complaint by far is the vibration transfer this scroll saw generates. That is understandable, though, when you consider the sleek design and lightweight building materials used in its construction.
Dremel Moto Saw Ms20 – Things We Like
- The Dremel F013MS20JA can be used as a scroll saw or as a coping saw. It includes a handle that allows users to make it into a handheld electric coping saw. A clamp system secures this mini scroll saw for hobby use to a table.
- Several Dremel Moto Saw review entries speak positively of the automatic blade tensioning system. It keeps the saw blade taught and ready for use at all times. Combining it with the quick blade changes, that makes it the best hobby scroll saw for many.
- A dust collection attachment point is included. That is something that many users, including ourselves in the review, were pleasantly surprised by.
Dremel Moto Saw Ms20 – Not So Good
- Several users indicate in their Dremel Moto Saw Ms20 review that the materials used for the housing feel a bit flimsy. Unlike some scroll saw designs, the Dremel F013MS20JA uses hard plastics for the handle and housing. That extends to the clamp included for table attachment, which does not offer the strongest connection.
- The handheld scroll saw generates a lot of vibration. Several Dremel moto saw review entries noted that the plastic housing vibrates, even when secured to a workbench. You may find that this can affect precision on extremely delicate cuts.
Proxxon 37088 Scroll Saw Review
Our Proxxon 37088 scroll saw review begins by highlighting the lightweight design. It weighs approximately 2.55 pounds, making it easy for woodworkers of any strength to move around. Combined with a table surface less than seven inches square and a throat clearance of 12 inches, and you have a product that is easy to store once you are finished.
Proxxon 37088 – Features
The best hobby scroll saw needs to offer precise cuts. If you are making models, tiny furniture, miniature figure blanks, or diorama pieces, this product delivers.
Beyond manufacturer specifications, this mini scroll saw for hobby use provides a stable platform made from cast aluminum. It includes a miter slot and gauge that adjusts. You can cut scrollwork, straight cuts, and cuts with a mitered angle.
The Proxxon 37088 scroll saw also has a moving head that adjusts for beveled cuts while providing the best surface contact on a flat worktable. Moving the top blade attachment allows you to use more of the teeth and prevents twists with a shorter overall length.
Proxxon 37088 – Things We Like
- The dust removal system is ideal for a mini scroll saw for hobby use. It has an integrated blower above the worktable that puffs are at the cutline, keeping it visible as you work. A hose attachment located below the worktable will help to collect debris and keep your shop clean as you work.
- Bevel cuts are made by adjusting the head of the Proxxon 37088 scroll saw. Keeping the table flat allows users to hold small pieces more comfortably. That keeps the items flush against the table for maximum support and get that angled cut just right.
- An adjustable head height makes this design the best hobby scroll saw for many hobbyists. You can adjust the top headpiece to maximum height for cutting thicker stock. It can also lower to provide minimal blade length for more precise cutting.
Proxxon 37088 – Not So Good
- Designed as a mini scroll saw for hobby use, the 37088 does not offer you a lot of material support. The worktable is small, with a surface that is under 6.5 inches in width and depth. It may not be an issue if you are using it for miniatures, though.
- Another issue mentioned in Proxxon 37088 scroll saw review write-ups is the time it takes to make saw blade changes. An Allen key is needed to loosen and tighten the blade holders. The biggest issue is the bottom connection point, which is behind a side hatch.
Proxxon 37088 Scroll Saw Video
Mini Scroll Saw For Hobby Use – The Final Cut
What we've got to look at here is realize the limitations these saws have. They are designed for small projects that will not put to much pressure on the saw. If you're making a whole house full of dolls house furniture or model railroading scenery then either of these saws will do the job.
What they are not designed to do however is compete with professional saws like the Dewalt DW788 a variable speed scroll saw that will give you an incredible precise cut. Check our full review here.
For us, the Dremel F013MS20JA and Proxxon 37088 are the two choices if you are looking for a mini scroll saw for hobby use. Each product stands out for specific reasons, however.
The Dremel Offers:
- Versatility – The ability to use it as a scroll saw with a worktable or as a handheld coping saw makes this the best hobby scroll saw for most needs.
- Easy to use – Blade changes are quick, and the automatic tensioning system keeps the blade taught from the start.
It has one major drawback, compared to the Proxxon:
- Vibration – The design and materials used in it's manufacture means it transfers vibrations. That is in the fixed scroll saw configuration or the handheld coping saw.
The Proxxon Offers:
If you are looking for precise control, you might consider the Proxxon to be the best hobby scroll saw. Its features allow for:
- Precise cuts with minimal kerf – The ability to adjust the head height allow you to keep the blade shank short. That prevents twists and binding that can widen the kerf or make cuts off the line.
- The cast aluminum table – It offers a stronger support surface for your workpieces. It also remains stationary, so you can keep pieces in place as you make bevel cuts along the edges.
The drawback compared to the Dremel would be:
- Mobility and versatility – You can not convert it into a coping saw, and it is not the proper power tool for larger workpieces.
Best Hobby Scroll Saw For the Money
The reality is, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best scroll saw for your hobby needs. Overall however the flag comes down firmly on the side of the Proxxon 37088. The Dremel is versatile scroll saw/coping saw combo but the Proxxon is more likely to stay the course and produce more accurate precise cuts through a long scrolling session. The Proxxon is also more suited to stacked cut's when you're cutting more than one of an item then the lighter weight Dremel.
A lot depends upon what the power tool's intended use is. Your budget can also be a factor when it comes to the products you can select.
Size, power, and other features become more or less important depending upon your needs, not ours or others. That is why we have come up with several articles that will focus on specific needs.
These comprehensive articles will compare and highlight the features need for the intended users. Our write-ups will include the best scroll saw for beginners, along with the best scroll saw for crafting.
More specific articles will look at the best scroll saws for hobby use, and the best professional scroll saws shall also go in-depth into high end scroll saws.
Our goal is to provide you with an in-depth look at features, how to use them in your shop, and what others (including ourselves) have to say about them.
The goal in woodworking is to have fun, and making educated purchases for your work shop prevents you from experiencing regrets. We want to save you time and money, and learning what others have experienced will allow you to make the right purchase the first time with a scroll saw that can grow with you.
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