When financial or space limitations force you to pick between two of your favorite saws, the decision can be difficult. Scroll saws and band saws are both handy tools to have in your workshop.
Each has its fair share of merits and demerits, which you’ll need to consider before buying. So in the battle of scroll saw vs band saw, which is the ultimate winner? Well, in the following guide, we’ve highlighted the differences between these two to help you make an informed decision.
What Is a Scroll Saw?
A scroll saw is the surgical piece of equipment of the woodworking world. It’s a stationary, pedal-operated power saw designed for fine woodwork tasks.
If you have a project that involves making intricate cuts - like those you’d need when you’re making gingerbread trim, crafting a jewelry box, birdhouse, or wood signs- your go-to cutting tool won’t suffice. The best device to use in these instances is a scroll saw.
In addition to being used in fine detail work, this saw creates almost perfect edges, and this minimizes the amount of sanding you have to do to get a smooth finish.
Wondering exactly how this type of saw works? Well, you can think of it as a sewing machine. In fact, the saw itself resembles and works like a sewing machine.
Start by applying light pressure on the foot pedal, and this will engage the motor, and kickstart the cutting action of the blade.
The scroll saw blade moves in an up and down direction while cutting into your material. Since the entire mechanism relies on your operation on the foot pedal, this frees up your hands to maneuver the workpiece as you'd like to achieve your desired patterns.
Scroll saws are equipped with different types of blades, so choosing one will depend on the scope of your work. Generally, these blades are narrow and not as strong as those you’d find in other saws. As a result, they’re best reserved for cutting thin workpieces.
We also like that some scroll saw designs involve a tilting table. This helps you make quick work of cutting at an angle. If you plan to tackle slightly bigger workpieces, ensure that the table provides ample space as well.
Advantages
Maneuverability and flexibility
There are a couple of things you’ll love about the scroll saw. One of these is the fact that it’s good at cutting scrolls or as they’re popularly known non-straight lines. Another tool that’s suitable for this application is a jigsaw.
Moreover, a scroll saw lets you cut from the middle section of your workpiece. It’s designed in a way that allows you to detach its thin blade. You can then insert this blade into a pre-drilled hole on your lumber, and make interior cuts to craft a masterful design.
You’ll also love the delicate approach this power tool brings to your projects. The cuts made with it are ultra-fine and accurate, and this is primarily because it depends on your handiwork to guide the blade on where to saw.
This piece of equipment also leaves room for flexibility. You have the freedom to move your workpiece through the blade in a circular pattern, letting you craft carves.
Easy to set up
A scroll saw is one of the easiest cutting tools to work with. You can equip it with a tilting blade, which lets you pivot your workpiece as you need to, to achieve those intricate cuts.
Most scroll saws also come fitted with dust blower nozzles, designed to keep your workstation free of dust. This, in turn, helps you achieve better accuracy in your projects.
Variable speed
Another feature that these saws are revered for is their variable speed. Since it works in a delicate manner, it lets you vary the speed of your blade as you cut.
It means you can work as fast or as slow as you’d like, something you wouldn’t be able to do if you were using other types of saws.
Safer
With scroll saws, you’ll never have to worry about issues like kickbacks. And since the blade moves up and down- as opposed to along the piece of wood- this significantly minimizes the risk of injury to your hand.
These saws are also safer in the sense that they don’t produce much vibration. Thus, you don’t have to wear protective gloves or hearing protection. In fact, this tool operates so quietly that you can have a conversation with someone nearby without having to raise your voice.
Disadvantages
The biggest downside of a scroll saw is that it cannot handle very large materials. The saw blades, though flexible, are also very small and thin. As a result, they can only tackle thin pieces of wood.
Sure, some models let you upgrade the blade if you wish to increase the cutting power and torque. But even then, these tools can only do so much. The truth is, if the material is any thicker than 1 inch, your scroll saw is going to struggle to slice through.
On that note, softwood is the most recommended for use with a scroll saw. Think of wood species like poplar or white pine.
What is a scroll saw best for?
For the most part, a scroll saw is used for making complex cuts in a workpiece, primarily wooden pieces. In addition to this, the best scroll saw can be used as follows:
What Is a Band Saw?
This is another cutting tool that is best known for its versatility. It gets the name 'saw band' from its cutting action, which is performed by a steel-made blade formed in a continuous loop.
The blade is attached to two or three pulleys, which are rotated by an electric motor. The blade is held firmly in place, and when the saw is powered on, it moves around the pulleys, creating a continuous cutting operation.
The blade of a band saw can be thin, allowing it to be used to make curves. It can also be used for straight cuts if it's fitted with a fence. Some band saws are designed with adjustable heights, making it possible to tackle very thick materials.
Important to note though is that band saws can be classified into two main types: benchtop and floor-standing models.
- Benchtop bandsaws
As implied in its name, this one is meant to be placed on a stable work surface such as a bench or assembly table.
The idea behind its creation is to minimize the amount of space it takes up, making it ideal for woodworkers with tiny workshops. Its compact design also makes it portable. But this comes at the expense of only being able to tackle small workpieces.
For more information see our guide to choosing the best benchtop bandsaw.
- Floor-standing bandsaws
Also based on its name, this is the kind of band saw that sits on a set of legs or specially inbuilt stand for support.
This machinery takes up quite a chunk of space; making it best suited for individuals with full-fledged workshops.
Unlike the benchtop variety, this one offers a decent amount of flexibility. It lets you easily saw a band by navigating longer pieces around it.
Advantages
Here are the many benefits of using a band saw.
Can handle thicker material
A band saw is the best tool to use when you want to cut thicker pieces of wood or lumber. The best saw can cut material with a thickness of 6 inches. But most entry-level bandsaws can only tackle 4-inch thick material. The beauty about this is that even these entry-level models can accommodate lumber thicker than what a table saw can handle.
Suitable for resawing
One thing that makes this power tool versatile is the fact that it can be used for resawing. If you’re new to this term, it simply means slicing wood along its grain with the aim of reducing it to thinner sections. Check out the best bandsaws for resawing here.
Resawing is actually a good example of rip cuts, and it paves way for a whole lot of opportunities in woodworking. It makes it possible to transform small logs into lumber, craft book-matched panels, and even make your own veneer.
Capability to cut non-wooden materials
Another benefit of this saw band is that it can slice through just about any material. Some models like the WEN 3970 T are fitted with a band ideal for cutting metal. Others can cut plastic or glass materials while others are suited for meat-cutting.
Disadvantages
A common complaint from band saw users is that the equipment takes up quite a bit of space, especially if you opt for the floor-standing design. Another thing you might not like about a band saw is that it produces rough or ragged edges.
What is a band saw best for?
The versatility of a bandsaw remains unmatched. This device can make cross cuts like a miter saw, rip cuts like a table saw, and even help you decrease the thickness of your workpiece like a thickness planer. Here are the most common applications of a band saw:
Similarities and Differences Between a Scroll Saw and Band Saw
The band saw scroll saw debate won't end any time soon. But learning about the features that make these power tools similar or different from each other can help you make the right choice.
Characteristics
Scroll Saws
- The saw can cut wood, but not other kinds of material
- Uses tiny, fine blades that move in an up and down pattern
- Can be used to cut tight curves and joints
- Can also be used to make inside cuts
- Equipped with a less powerful motor
- Can only support small pieces of wood with a maximum thickness of 2 inches
Band Saws
- A band saw can cut a large piece of wood
- The saw blade is bigger and moves in a downward motion
- If fitted with the right blade, it can also be used for cutting metal, meat, and more.
- Equipped with a powerful motor, makes it ideal for tackling thick materials
- Can be used to resaw and rip boards to width
Appearance
There's not much difference when comparing the look of a scroll saw vs band saw.
A scroll saw constitutes a flat work surface, with a column extending right up from its rear. At the very top of the column, you’ll see an arm that is completely parallel to the table. Coming out of this arm is a tiny blade that’s used for cutting.
A bandsaw also comes with a flat work table, with a column extending vertically from the back. The column also contains an arm but the arm lays perpendicular to the work table.
As with the scroll saw, the arm is what holds the blade. The distance estimated from the column to the blade is referred to as throat capacity. It's this throat size that's used as a reference for the bandsaw's size.
That said, it’s important to point out the difference that arises between the operation of the saws’ blades. With a scroll saw, the blade moves in an up and down pattern while that of a band saw moves in a constant downward motion.
Purpose
Given that scroll saws have much smaller blades, they’re the best suited for small, intricate, decorative work. Put simply, if you have projects that require a high level of detail, blade maneuverability, and flexibility, use a scroll saw. Crafting a jigsaw puzzle is a good case in point.
A band saw’s primary strength is the ability to make large and aggressive cuts. This is made possible by the blade’s operation, which involves a downward motion.
So if you have any big projects that don’t require a great amount of detail, a band saw is the best choice. This includes tasks like making shelves, planter boxes, and furniture.
Thickness
When it comes to a scroll saw vs band saw debate, the band saw is the ultimate winner here. It can tackle much thicker wood. Those classified as small-sized can cut a maximum thickness of four inches while bigger-sized band saws can slice through stock that has a thickness of six inches.
On the other hand, the maximum thickness of material that a scroll saw can handle is about two inches, and even this is a bit of a stretch. However, it also depends on the type of wood. If you’re using very softwood, then it shouldn’t struggle too much.
Cutting
Wondering which one makes superior cuts in the band saw vs scroll saw debate? Well, the truth is each tool excels at certain tasks.
With a scroll saw, you can cut in all manner of shapes: straight, angled, and round. One of the most intriguing things is that you can use a scroll saw to make interior cuts.
A band saw is designed to cut angles as well as straights. Given that it’s much bigger, you can use a band saw for cutting big pieces of plywood. On the downside, it cannot allow you to cut an inner circle in your workpiece the way a scroll saw would.
Ease of use
On the font of usability, there’s no clear winner in the scroll saw vs band saw fight. It depends on how you’re using each saw. If making precise cuts, a scroll saw with its thin fine blade, will be easier to use. But if you’re cutting straight, and tackling a bigger workpiece, a band saw is easier to operate.
Pricing
Which piece of equipment is cheaper when comparing a band saw vs scroll saw? The scroll saw wins the prize for affordability.
How to Determine Which One You Need
Should you get a scroll saw or a band saw?
Well, two things you should consider when picking between a scroll and band saws are the scope of your project and two, your experience with each of these power tools.
If you’re planning to make jigsaw puzzles for your kids or do any other task that requires detailed, intricate cutting, go with a scroll saw. But for projects that don’t involve precise cuts, and entail tackling bigger workpieces, go with a band saw.
In terms of experience, consider just how much time you’ve had using either tool before. If you’re not too confident about working with saws, you can start with a scroll saw as it’s relatively safer. A band saw is not necessarily more dangerous, but it’s certainly bigger, louder, and more powerful.
FAQs
Which is better, scroll saw or band saw?
Neither one is superior to the other, so it boils down to the scope of your woodworking project.
If you’re looking to make fine detail cuts, interior cuts, or patterns involving letters and numbers, a scroll saw is an undisputed champ.
But if you want a tool that can make large, straight, and aggressive cuts on much bigger workpieces or even metals, then use a band saw.
What is the difference between a scroll saw and a band saw?
A scroll saw employs fairly thin, short blades to cut wood that is about 1 to 2 inches thick. Contrary, a band saw uses a thick, long blade to slice through 6-inch thick wood and other materials like metal.
Is a scroll saw safer than a band saw?
Due to its smaller size, and less powerful motor, a scroll saw is regarded as being safer than a band saw.
How thick of wood can you cut with a scroll saw?
Ideally, you shouldn’t use your scroll saw to cut material, whose thickness is bigger than an inch. But if you’re slicing through softwood, it may be able to handle thick wood of up to 2 inches.
Conclusion
Wondering which power tool to purchase between a scroll saw vs band saw? Well, it depends on what you intend to do with it and your experience using saws.
While a scroll saw is great for doing detailed work, it cannot tackle lumber thicker than one inch. On the other hand, a band saw can handle larger workpieces, but it produces rather rough finishes; hence, not suited for detailed or intricate projects.