If you are a woodworker, you might have wondered which is better: scroll saw or jigsaw. Both tools are used to cut curves and shapes in wood, but they have different features and advantages. In this article, we will compare scroll saws and jigsaws and help you decide which one is best for your projects
The answer depends on the type and complexity of the cuts you want to make. Scroll saws are better for intricate and delicate cuts, while jigsaws are better for rough and fast cuts.
Scroll saws and jigsaws are both electric-powered saws that use a thin blade to cut through wood. However, they have different designs and functions.
Scroll saws
A scroll saw is a stationary tool that has a flat table and a vertical blade that moves up and down. The blade is usually very thin and can be easily changed to suit different materials and thicknesses. The table can be tilted to make angled cuts.
Scroll saws are ideal for making intricate and delicate cuts, such as fretwork, marquetry, intarsia, and puzzles. They can cut very tight curves and corners, and even make internal cuts by drilling a hole and inserting the blade through it. Scroll saws can also cut other materials, such as metal, plastic, and leather, as long as they are thin and soft.
Some of the advantages of scroll saws are:
They produce very smooth and precise cuts with minimal sanding required.
They are very quiet and produce little dust and vibration.
They are safe and easy to use, as the blade is not exposed and the workpiece is firmly secured on the table.
They are limited by the size and thickness of the workpiece, as it has to fit on the table and under the blade.
They are slow and require patience and skill to make complex cuts.
They are expensive and take up a lot of space.
Jigsaws
A jigsaw is a handheld tool that has a motor and a blade that moves back and forth. The blade is usually wider and thicker than a scroll saw blade and can be changed to suit different materials and purposes. The base of the tool can be adjusted to make angled cuts.
Jigsaws are ideal for making rough and fast cuts, such as cutting out shapes, trimming edges, and making holes. They can cut curves and straight lines, and even make plunge cuts by starting the blade in the middle of the workpiece. Jigsaws can also cut other materials, such as metal, plastic, and ceramic, as long as they are not too hard or brittle.
Some of the advantages of jigsaws are:
They are versatile and can cut a variety of shapes and materials.
They are portable and can be used in any position and direction.
They are cheap and easy to find.
Some of the disadvantages of jigsaws are:
They produce rough and uneven cuts that require a lot of sanding and finishing.
They are noisy and produce a lot of dust and vibration.
They are less safe and more difficult to control, as the blade is exposed and the workpiece is not secured.
Scroll saws and jigsaws are both useful tools for cutting curves and shapes in wood, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Scroll saws are better for intricate and delicate cuts, while jigsaws are better for rough and fast cuts. The best tool for you depends on the type and complexity of the cuts you want to make, as well as your budget and space. We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision. Happy woodworking!
