What can you do with a scroll saw? Unlike many other woodworking machines, which have long, tapered circular spinning blades intended for making accurate cuts across stock, scroll saws tend to be the go-to tool for creating intricate woodwork, intarsia, or floral patterns. If you need to make detailed curved cuts, a scroll saw is often the best choice for the job.
Unlike other types of woodworking machines, scroll saw machines come in two basic varieties. The first type is “true” scroll saw; the other is “indle-driven” scroll saw. True scroll saws have a blade that spins along a miter slot, cutting the pieces to be cut in multiple layers. “indle-driven” scroll saws have blades that induce a counterclockwise stroke along the slot’s depth, producing a series of cut lines that are radially placed. With an “indle-driven” machine, the feeder and fence may be mounted outside the cutting area and fed separately, in different stages of the cut.
Depending on the complexity of the woodworking project, your scroll saw may be used for both boring and cutting. When making simple cuts, such as beveled angled cuts, or parallel to the surface of the stock, you can use your scroll saw with a stand to hold the piece while it cuts. When making cuts that need to be deep, wide, or angled, the piece must be held at a specific angle, which requires additional tools and training.
A “screwdriver rest” is another essential purchase for any shop, because it keeps your woodworking bench from becoming scratched during heavy use. The “rest” comes with a scroll saw patterns in various sizes and configurations, allowing you to choose the one that is best suited to your needs. Also available are special rubber feet designed to protect the bench while preventing the piece from slipping.
Another investment that should be made when learning about scroll saw patterns is proper blade tension. Most models will feature a tensioning mechanism that is either electronic or spring loaded, but some will require manual tensioning. Because the blade is a very hard piece of equipment, the blade needs to be properly tensioned to prevent over-cutting or damaging the wood. With proper blade tension, you’ll also achieve better accuracy when cutting, so you’ll produce clean, smooth cuts every time.
When making long, detailed cuts, it is common for a scroll saw to pull back on the stock as well as the piece. This results in uneven pieces that are closer in to the edges of the work piece than others are. This issue is most commonly seen when cutting long, wide boards. Some woodworkers try to solve this problem by switching pieces, cutting in different directions, or trying to realign the piece. While these solutions may solve minor issues, they can actually cause more problems down the line when the wrong piece is used.
You should also pay attention to the blade itself, which must be fitted tightly to the saw’s tension arm. Loose teeth can result in kickback or vibration when ripping or shearing materials. The teeth need to be accurately placed in order to achieve a sharp, clean cut every time. Inspecting the teeth regularly can help you identify problems before they become major issues, which can cause the wood to become damaged. Also, using high quality blade oil can improve the function and efficiency of your scroll saw.
If you are a first-time user of a scroll saw and have never used one before, it’s a good idea to start with a simple project such as a crosscut or other straight-edge project so that you can learn how to operate it properly. Always make sure to fully disengage the blade before attempting any type of cut. In addition, be sure to wear safety glasses and sturdy shoes that can protect you from flying materials. A well-designed beginners’ scroll saw can last for many years, but it doesn’t do much good if you don’t know how to use it!