So, what is the difference between a scroll saw and a band saw? Well, good thing you’re here to see the answer to those questions, and hopefully by now with some basic education, get a comfort level with buying your next machine. I’m a big fan of both machines but have had some trouble with some scroll saw designs that seemed to run a bit better than others. Specifically, I’d like to talk about my experience with what I thought was a fairly new company called “Millennium Moulding”. They’re located in Palatine, IL, just east of Chicago, and are actually quite popular as far as scroll saw and other machine shops go.
This company was started in 2021, by two guys named Ross and Michael DiCarlo. They were both highly experienced woodworkers, who wanted to start a business where they could share their love of art, machines, etc. With this unique combination, they created what is now known as “Millennium Moulding”. During the beginning years of their business, they weren’t doing much commercial work, instead focusing more on developing their brand name and making their variable speed saw. Over the years, they’ve added more features to their tool, which have led to their success.
First of all, one of the most obvious similarities between a scroll saw and a band saw is that they both use a sliding blade to cut materials. Obviously, there are a few different things going on in each of the machines, but the basic idea is basically the same. The big difference comes from the type of material being cut – which means there are a few different ways these machines can operate.
Band saws use a roller which is constantly spinning, allowing the wood to cut across its teeth. In scroll saws, there is a small blade located below the teeth. When the blade is down, the saw is actually in a horizontal position. Instead of pulling the wood along the flat surface, it’s counterbalanced with a series of gears and springs which allows it to bevel the wood. The band saw is usually faster than the scroll saw because it has higher cutting capacity, so some people consider them a better option for beginners.
Another big difference is the pattern generation capability of each machine. Band saw machines use an internal pattern generation system that generates cross-hatching patterns in the wood while scroll saws use a series of random patterns which are carved into the wood. Obviously, the result is that the band saw creates intricate and detailed patterns, while the scroll saw is simpler and more often uses a single-line stroke. This is a useful feature in many cases but can lead to poor accuracy in cross-hatching.
Both band saws and scroll saws are used for woodturning and woodworking projects where accuracy and speed are important. In general, the band saw is more accurate and can cut longer and straighter patterns more quickly. However, if accuracy is a main concern, then the scroll saw might be a better choice. Both types of saws can be used for detailed carpentry work and other specialty tasks, although band saws are often considered to be more versatile. It all comes down to what you’re looking for in your new machine. If speed and accuracy are important features in your new machine, then the scroll saw might be right for you.