Last Updated on 2021-06-17 by Harry Masterton
Your woodworking journey can take you in many directions, including into the hobby of scrollwork. Using the best scroll saw for crafting will allow you to use your imagination to create intricate decorations and gifts.
So, how does the best scroll saw for crafters help your woodworking? It creates a stable platform to work from and allows you to make cuts with a fine reciprocating saw blade. The best scroll saw for crafting also creates the angle needed for beveled edges on your work.
Go straight to the Best Scroll Saw Reviews in these categories.
- The Best Scroll Saw For Marquetry
- The Best Scroll Saw For Intarsia
- The Best Scroll Saw For Miniatures
The best scroll saw for crafting aids you by:
- Cutting tight curves that other power tools can not make
- Allowing you to control your workpiece around the scroll saw blade
- Creating a small kerf that can follow detailed patterns
- Providing simple blade changes that are quick
With a scroll saw, you will cut out silhouettes or remove material along the edges to create shapes. That includes making letters or projects that spell out phrases. Your imagination is your only limit when using the best scroll saw for crafters to make holiday gifts or toys.
The best scroll saw for crafting will grow with you, allowing you to advance to inlay work on boxes, fretwork, or marquetry. Mastering these projects will improve your woodworking overall. You might even find that your work is in demand!
You can also use the best scroll saw for crafts to make scrollwork on all types of wooden projects. Frames for mirrors and pictures are popular. Functional items, like kitchen trivets, keep your countertops safe from heat damage and are made on the scroll saw.
Many woodworkers feel that the best scroll saw for crafters is a safe way to introduce younger family members to the hobby. It uses a short reciprocating scroll saw blade that is not spinning at high velocity. Protective covers and guards make it a comfortable power tool for anyone to use, regardless of their skill level in the shop.
Best Scroll Saw For Marquetry
The is now a revival of interest in marquetry as an art form in furniture.
Susan Zelouf of Zelouf+Bell says they worked with a fashion illustrator to design the Jungle cabinet using a form known as asymmetrical offset marquetry.
This is unlikely to be the level of work you will achieve even with the best scroll saw for crafting but it does illustrate what can be achieved with what is fast becoming a woodworking art form.
Image of Zelouf+Bell Jungle Cabinet curtesy of Luxury London
A traditional form of woodworking that the best scroll saw for crafting will excel at is marquetry. Marquetry uses thin pieces of wood that are cut and fitted together before gluing them into a single sheet. That sheet attaches to the face of your workpiece as a decorative surface.
Accuracy is critical to cutting along the patterns used in this form of woodworking, so you need the best scroll saw for intricate work that you can afford. The tabletop will support the thin sheets of veneer you are cutting to prevent chips, cracks, or breaks as you work.
You will find that the best scroll saw for marquetry has a table insert that sits flush with the tabletop and has minimal gaps for saw blade movement.
As you work, you will be tension on the blade from various angles. That is especially true with double bevel marquetry as it uses layers of thin wood veneers. The best scroll saw for crafting use quick blade tension levers and preferably a front blade tensioning lever to keep the saw blade stiff as you work and make the blade change process quick and simple.
A selection of saw blades allows the best scroll saw for intricate work to make the right cuts. These saw blades are thin and snap easily, so you need a power tool that allows you to perform quick blade changes. That is even more important in marquetry, as you need to insert blades in several starting holes on a piece.
Double beveled marquetry uses stacks of wood veneer, making the cuts for the top and bottom pieces all at once. Adding a beveled edge allows the pieces to fit together without a gap, and the best scroll saw for marquetry is ideal for making these cuts.
Buying the best scroll saw for crafting will improve your speed and consistency with intricate double bevel marquetry pieces.
What materials do I need for scroll saw marquetry?
You might have the best scroll saw for crafting in your shop, but it will do you little good without a few extras to keep you working. The list of tools and materials needed for marquetry includes:
- Scroll saw – The ability to cut angles makes it a go-to choice for cutting double beveled marquetry. Getting the bevel cuts right is an essential part of this process.
- Wood veneer – A selection of colors that contrast will help you to create intricate designs
- Scroll Saw Pattern – These establish the patterns you need to cut out
- Carbon paper/pens – You can trace the shapes on the pattern while using the carbon paper to transfer it to the wood's surface
- Adhesives/brush – Various tapes (double-sided, packing, specialty) and wood glues hold pieces together
- Hand tools – Drill/small bit for entry holes, knives and scissors for cutting, and a wood-safe hammer for forcing snug-fitting pieces together without damage
- Finishing products – Sandpapers and files to smooth surfaces and a preferred topcoat
The Best Scroll Saw For Marquetry – DeWalt DW788 Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Go here for our full review of the DeWalt DW788 Scroll Saw
The DW788 uses a double parallel link arm. That allows the saw blade to travel in an almost straight line as you cut. It produces less vibration than a C-arm scroll saw, helping you create better results on the thin pieces of wood used on marquetry patterns.
The DW788 generates approximately 89 dB, placing noise levels between a busy hotel lobby and a subway station. Its parallel arm generates less noise than other scroll saw designs. Less noise and vibration make the DW788 more comfortable to use on long marquetry sessions, where following intricate patterns will have you sitting for long periods.
Scroll saw blades do come under pressure, especially when you are making cuts on packets. Snapping saw blades and threading patterns requires lots of blade changes.
The DeWalt DW788 variable speed scroll saw has an arm that lifts, making blade changes easy. It also incorporates a tool-free blade clamp system into the scroll arm, allowing you to make those changes quickly.
Best Scroll Saw For Intarsia
How does the scroll sawing woodworker with the thicker wood piece differ from using the thin wood of a veneer?
Like marquetry, this form of woodworking uses contrasting pieces of wood to create decorative patterns. The best scroll saw for intarsia will help to cut the edges on these wooden pieces. It can also help to shape interior cuts on pieces receiving inserts of wood or other materials.
Intarsia ‘Cat Stretch' curtesy of Lumberjocks
What is intarsia woodworking compared to other scrollwork? Woodworkers use contrasting colors and grain patterns to create the illusion of depth in this type of decorative art. These patterns are curved or geometric in shape, so the best scroll saw for intarsia needs to provide you with control.
Specifically, what is intarsia woodworking compared to marquetry? Intarsia uses pieces of wood that insert into the workpiece surface. Marquetry consists of layers of veneered woods that glue to the project.
While the best scroll saw for crafting will not help to carve texture in the face of wood pieces, it can use saw blades with a thin kerf. That may moot for geographic patterns, but it will be crucial for cutting irregular edges that must fit tightly into an inlay.
With intricate cuts the most accurate cut will be achieved when you can clearly see cutting position so a dust blower or better still a flexible dust blower will keep the scroll saw project free of debris.
If you want to see real artistry in intarsia check out the Wood Vibe Tribe
Recommended – Best Scroll Saw For Intarsia
Intarsia is a complex woodworking artform and can be quite demanding on your chosen scroll saw. We have given two saws strong recommendations here. Which one you choose will depended on the size of your budget and the size of intarsia projects you are undertaking.
Hegner Multimax 18 Scroll Saw
Go here for our full review of the Hegner 18V Multimax Scroll Saw
It uses an electric induction motor rated at 2.83 amps, making the Hegner Multimax 18 one of the more powerful scroll saws on the market. That rating is double that of many models, and you should find it maintaining the speed you run it at, no matter how dense the wood grain is. Another benefit of the motor's size is that you will not overwork the Hegner Multimax with long scrolling sessions.
Another standout feature on the Hegner Multimax 18 scroll saw that improves its performance is the cast-iron table. Its surface has been machined flat and is polished smooth. The cast iron lowers vibrations by weight and through material density.
The old saying of “you get what you pay for” seems to hold the line with the Hegner Multimax 18. Your purchase gets a scroll saw that is nearly all metal, except for a couple of switches. A seven-year warranty shows Hegner's confidence in the durability of this product.
JET 727200B JWSS 22B 22 Inch Scroll Saw
Go here for your full review of the JET 727200B 22 inch Scroll Saw
The Jet JWSS-22B provides you with 22-inches of throat clearance. That is a lot of room when compared to most models that boast 18 to 20-inches of space. It may not sound like much of a difference, but those familiar with power tools understand that the Jet JWSS-22B can make all the difference with decorations or scrollwork pieces for furniture.
Another feature that woodworkers can appreciate, especially with intarsia pieces, is the tilting arm on the Jet 22 inch scroll saw. It is another stand-out feature in our Jet scroll saw review because it adds control and safety. You can control intricate cuts and operate more safely with a flat tabletop instead of one tilted on its side.
One more benefit worth mentioning in this Jet scroll saw review is the table size. The Jet JWSS-22B has a table that measures 12 7/8-inches by 23-inches. Extra material support from the Jet 22 inch scroll saw can improve your cuts.
Jet 727200B JWSS – Things We Like
- Left and Right 45 degree tilting arm
- Huge Working Area Combined With 22″ Throat Depth
- Great Speed Range
- Foot Switch
Jet 727200B JWSS – Not So Good
- Some noise issues
- Variable Customer Service
Hegner Multimax 18 vs JET 727200B JWSS 22B Comparison
For anyone comparing these two products, the big difference between them is the price. The Jet is not the least expensive scroll saw on the market by any means, so the Hegner nearly doubling its price might put it out of reach for budget-minded woodworkers.
Hegner's price tag comes with durability that is hard to match, even from Jet. Both scroll saws have cast iron tables, but the Hegner is a more solid build and uses far less high-impact plastics. Hegner offers two more years (seven) on the Multimax warranty in comparison to Jet's five-year limited warranty on the JWSS-22B.
Another difference will be in the tilting mechanism for the beveled cuts. The Hegner uses a standard tilting table that adjusts to the left or the right of the saw blade. Jet makes use of a tilting upper arm, allowing you to keep your work piece flat as you cut (we believe that this offers a more natural hand position that does not fight against gravity like a piece on an angled tabletop would).
Finally, a foot switch on the Jet provides a hands-free power control that the Hegner can not match out of the box.
Best Scroll Saw For Miniatures
The best scroll saw for crafting can be used for intricate pieces, including various miniatures. A full-sized design is not required, as a miniature scroll saw does not need the throat capacity for these small projects. That includes scroll saw miniature furniture and figures.
Miniature scroll saw
Then you could truly call it a table saw! With your partners permission of course!
The adjustable hold-down foot is necessary on the best scroll saw for miniatures. Hobbyists work with several pieces on each project and need to use the foot to keep them pulling up with the reciprocating motion of the saw blade. It will help prevent damage to the workpiece while making it easier to move it around the saw blade.
The design of several miniature scroll saw products offers tilting heads instead of a tilting table. Users can create beveled edges on scroll saw miniature furniture. Some woodworkers prefer a stable tabletop with small pieces since it is easier to hold them on a flat surface, which is critical when making tight cuts on figures.
The best scroll saw for miniatures has an adjustable head that can raise and lower. It adjusts to maximum height to cut through thick pieces of softwoods like Balsa and Basswood that you can use for miniature carving. It can lower, letting you use more of the saw blade while keeping proper tension during the cut.
That additional tension on the saw blade allows these products to make the most accurate cuts because there is less play in the reciprocating saw blade. You will be able to scroll saw miniature furniture, for example, without the flexing blade causing you to drift from the cut line.
Dust blowers and dust collection are advantageous, especially when working with small pieces. The best scroll saw for crafting has blowers that keep the cut line visible, and some models also include an attachment for a shop vac so that you can gather debris while cutting.
Recommended – Best Scroll Saw For Miniatures
Proxxon 37094 Scroll Saw DS 460
Our Proxxon DS 460 review begins with product measurements of approximately 12.5 inches W x 22.975 inches L x 12 inches H. The Proxxon scroll saw DS 460 weighs about 44 pounds, making it a workout for many adult woodworkers to move.
We think it's worth pointing out that on the face off it this saw does not seem to get good reviews. When you actually check reviews on sites from real miniature and model makers however the picture changes. Check the full Proxxon 37094 Review here by a model ship builder. This is an outstanding saw for miniature and model making work.
Proxxon 37094 – Features
The cast iron and other metallic materials used in its construction provide several benefits to you as a user, and that is the top feature of this Proxxon DS 460 review. Its weight and materials dampen vibrations and provide you with a stable cutting platform.
The Proxxon scroll saw DS 460 uses a tilting tabletop for beveled cuts that range from -5 degrees to 50 degrees. A well-designed air system provides power at the dust blower and helps create strong suction for the dust removal below the tabletop.
Proxxon 37094 – Things We Like
- The product in this Proxxon DS 460 review is easy to set up and operate. It would make a nice introduction to power tools for younger woodworkers.
- You can cut through a variety of materials using this scroll saw. It is powerful enough for wood, plastics, non-ferrous metals, and other crafting materials.
- Its dust collection system is located to the left of the saw blade. It provides plenty of suction to keep materials moving through your shop vac's hose.
Proxxon 37094 – Not So Good
- The speed controls offer only two settings, one at 800 Strokes Per Minute and the other at 1,700. You will not have as much fine control over the blade speed with this scroll saw.
- A wide opening in the tabletop near the blade creates a gap that small parts and chips can fall. It seems from reviews that it’s a simple enough job to make your own insert.
Scroll Saw Projects That Sell
Some woodworkers will break down items so that they can be recycled or thrown away. The best scroll saw projects should not end this way, and many hobbyists begin to sell their scrollwork. That leads many woodworkers to ask, what are the best scroll saw projects to sell?
The best scroll saw for crafting will create many items that you can sell, including:
- Christmas decorations
- Ornaments
- Toys
- Furniture pieces
- Specialty items
- Home decorations
Some of the best scroll saw projects include various home decorations. Adding scrollwork to enhance frames, wooden placemats, and name plaques are three examples. You can offer customized items that will fit your customer's lifestyle, home decor, and name.
Ornaments
Ornaments are some of the more popular scroll saw projects that sell. Holidays such as Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all provide themes that interest potential customers. Making non-holiday ornaments for inside and outside of the house is easy with the features found on the best scroll saw for crafting.
Toys
Toys are scroll saw projects that sell year-round. You can cut out various game boards or make components for animatronics. Cutting blanks with rough outlines can save you time and money if you like to carve figures.
Furniture pieces
Scrollwork will enhance the look of any furniture piece you make. The best scroll saw projects to sell often enhance functional items such as boxes, chairs, tables, or shelving. Many fine woodworkers are well-compensated for the time they spend on decorated furniture.
Specialty items
We have added this category to cover some of the best scroll saw projects that do more than decorating. You can use your scroll saw to create baskets, hook boards to hold things, protective items, or other scroll saw projects that sell.
Making money with the best scroll saw for crafting – Tips To Building A Business
If you price things correctly, you will find the best scroll saw projects to sell that allow you to cover the costs of your hobby. If you find popular items to sell locally or online, you might supplement your income with some extra “part-time” cash. Look for local craft fairs and Sunday markets. Very often you can find Sunday markets and local craft shows and fairs that hold regular events.
Crafters are regular visitors to markets and fairs and love to browse. Many large Weekend and Sunday markets will have designated sections for crafting, cooking utensils, hunting and shooting paraphernalia, antiques and even collectible toys.
A large fair my wife and I attend in Crump in Tennessee brings regular visitors all year round from miles around!
- Make sure you set up and have a regular stall where all the other crafters and makers are.
- Keep attending to build up your customers. If they know you're there they will visit and buy.
- Make sure you keep your stock current and seasonal. Look for what's selling and make variations of that theme.
- If Christmas is coming up make sure you have Christmas items on your table by September! Think of Easter, Valentines, Thanksgiving and the seasons themselves. Spring, summer and fall
- Have some calling cards. Get a logo done on Fiverr and your cards printed at Vista Print online. It's really simple and inexpensive to do.
- Finally set up a Facebook page and/or an Instagram account to show off your work online. If you don't know how to do that get one of your kids or grandkids to show you!
- Make sure to have the addresses of your social media accounts on your cards. And give them out freely!
Best Scroll Saw Patterns
The best scroll saw for crafting is useless without patterns to follow. You can find some wood patterns online, but collections of the best scroll saw patterns are in books.
The best scroll saw patterns book is a matter of taste, but it should include various subjects that interest you. If you are looking to make money on the side, the best scroll saw patterns are usually holiday decorations or toys. The best scroll saw patterns book should have clear written instructions with pictures showing complex steps.
Big Book Of Scroll Saw Woodworking
The book has contributions from 25 authors and showcases over 60 projects. It contains articles found in Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine. Each project helps to form a cohesive book that highlights projects ranging from fretwork to intarsia.
You can use the best scroll saw for crafting to create the boxes, decorations, and even jewelry found in this book.
Proxxon 37088 Scroll Saw
Recommended for: Hobbyists and small shops that make smaller miniature items like figures, models, or dioramas.
The 37088 is compact and lightweight. Woodworkers find that it is easy to move about and to store. A listed weight of 2.55 pounds is possible using a high-impact plastic for the housing with a cast aluminum worktable.
Proxxon 37088 – features
The Proxxon 37088 is a variable speed scroll saw
The worktable is machined flat, and a miter gauge fits snuggly in the slot on the table's surface. The Proxxon will help you cut straight, angled cut, and free-hand curves with precision and a small kerf.
Proxxon 37088 – Things We Like
- It has a variable speed control that provides a variable speed scroll cut between 150 and 2,500 Strokes Per Minute (SPM). That will match well with several materials and project thicknesses.
- Proxxon has included both an integrated blower as well as a vacuum attachment port. You can keep sawdust from obscuring your cut line while keeping debris from gathering under the scroll saw.
- The Proxxon has a reasonable price point, especially when you include its features. Many higher-priced models are less accurate with fewer cutting options.
The 12 inch throat size is just right for crafting
Proxxon 37088 – Not So Good
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- It takes a bit of time changing blades on the Proxxon. You need to access the bottom attachment through a side hatch, and an Allen-style key is needed for both top and bottom securing.
- The design is intended for smaller projects. It has a 12-inch throat clearance, and the cast-aluminum worktable is under 6.5 x 6.5 inches.
- The Proxxon 37088 is a crafting scroll saw and is not designed to compete with professional grade saws like the Dewalt DW788 or larger saws like the Shop Fox W1713.
- The best professional scroll saw is designed specifically to handle large projects, have a cast iron table to reduce vibration and accommodate the various blade type you will need such as the plain end blade or pinless blade, pin end blade or pinned blade.
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Scroll Saw Crafting For Fun And Profit
Finding the best scroll saw for crafting will allow you to create endless amounts of woodworking projects. Those projects might be personal items, gifts, or scroll saw projects that sell for a profit.
For an in depth look at the various types of power saws in your workshop check out our Band saw vs Scroll Saw 20 Point Checklist. This article also covers the various types of blades such as the skip tooth blade and when to use them.
A scroll saw can make inlay patterns on existing items or completely new projects. You can try your hand at making layers of veneer come to life with marquetry, or you might find the three-dimensional look of intarsia more to your liking.
Besides decorative designs, the best scroll saw for crafting will help you to create ornaments and toys. The reciprocating blade also cuts functional items that hold utensils or protect surfaces from heat or moisture.
Woodworkers can scale down to smaller scroll saws that focus on precise cuts and work with small pieces. That will open up several projects like tiny furniture, miniature figures, and models or dioramas.
You can make these things for yourself or as gifts for family and friends. Those interested in helping to pay for their hobby or earn a few extra dollars on the side can make scroll saw projects that sell.
You will find books filled with patterns and ideas, no matter what your interest is. The scroll saw is a fun woodworking power tool that will keep you excited about woodworking for years!
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