When you look at a scroll saw, the obvious question that comes to mind is, “Can scroll saws cut metal?” The short answer to that is yes and no. Scroll saws were originally designed as a woodworking machine and used to make long detailed cuts into wood. Since they are so popular for use in woodworking now, many people wonder if they can still cut through metal.
scroll saws have a large band of steel between its teeth and the wood to help them cut through tough woods or metal. The saw itself is comprised of a blade guard, with each of those containing a number of teeth that can be turned. Turning these teeth can cause the teeth on the opposite end to catch on things, causing a “kickback” effect that closing the gap created by the cut. This type of problem usually only occurs with heavier materials, such as sheet metal, which tend to be stiffer than most other materials. Even with hard materials, though, it is possible to cut through metal using a scroll saw.
One issue that does arise with using a scroll saw to cut through metal is if the material is so thick that the teeth may not be able to make it past the edge of the material, cutting it in half. If the metal is so stiff that the saw cannot get under the thickness of the material, then the best solution is to file the saw’s edges down a bit to make it easier to penetrate the material. Filing the teeth down will also reduce the amount of the kickback that occurs when the material is cut.
Another thing that may concern some woodworkers who want to use a scroll saw for woodworking is how the material wears down over time. This is not always a problem, but some materials wear down faster than others. Soft woods tend to wear down slower than harder woods, while harder woods tend to wear down more quickly than soft woods. This means that the soft types of woods are usually better for scroll saws, while harder woods may be better for crosscutting. Hard wood tends to wear down faster, especially when crosscutting, so it is often better to purchase a scroll saw with a crosscutting feature.
Can scroll saws cut metal? Yes, but the answer has to be in the terms of speed and efficiency. Many scroll saws are designed to be more efficient than cross cutters. The more expensive models of scroll saws are also usually found in shops that specialize in electrical equipment, rather than general woodworking shops.
A scroll saw can cut through most types of wood and other materials, although it is usually found on construction sites where it is needed for easy moving heavy lumber around. It is sometimes used as a last-ditch attempt at finishing a project before it is moved to the construction site for painting or other finish jobs. Because of its heavy weight, a scroll saw must be used with caution, or it could cause damage to the area being cut. In addition, a piece of thin wood or metal could cut through the saw and cause the work to become a disaster. Before purchasing a scroll saw, make sure you know its capabilities and what kind of material it can cut.