Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw: Which to Use?

0-Right from the tables in our houses to even the best wood carvings in the world, wood is everywhere around us. But from its introduction to date, there are many saws found with differences in each of them. Any finished items with wood would be impossible without a proper saw. Two such saws are the scroll and Jigsaw. One big question in garages is how the scroll saw, and Jigsaw differs from each other. So let’s dig in and compare Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw.

Our Verdict

Both the saws have their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re not a woodworker and you need your saw for small works at home, then you can prefer the Jigsaw. It is a lot handier and can get your job done on time. The price of it is not a worrying factor too. If you need to practice every minute cuts, then it’s the scroll saw you should prefer. It has the accuracy and ability to do those minute cuts. It’s the saw used when there is a need for very proper cuts.

These come to use while doing crafts and other areas where the finish is more important to the customers. Whereas the Jigsaw is your normal daily use saw. The price tag is worth it if you’re into cravings or wood designs as a serious profession or passion. Everything finally concludes on the purpose you buy you saw. If you could analyze the reason you need your saw well, then you’ll be able to find your perfect saw. Other than that, no one can judge you for the saw you work with as it varies for each person based on their need.

Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw: Differences

1. Price

When it comes to price, the Jigsaw is the preferred one. The scroll saw is quite expensive and not very affordable by small scale workers. The price of a scroll saw is about five times the price of a jigsaw.

2. Type Of Wood

When the thickness of the material gets increased, the scroll saw may give you problems. The blades in it are a bit thinner. This is not good as thinner blades take more time, and also it gets tough to dig in thicker wooden surfaces. The Jigsaw can go through even materials like pipes, tiles, etc. in a much easier way. The blades of the Jigsaw are much more robust so it can move through surfaces more easily.

3. Weight And Space

If you wish to set up everything at a small space and you’re searching for the right saw. Then you can go on with the Jigsaw compared to the scroll saw. The scroll saw occupies more space and is also a stationary machine. It weighs almost three times the weight of the Jigsaw. The Jigsaw doesn’t weigh much and could be easier in used compared to the scroll saw.

4. Accuracy

When it comes to accuracy, the scroll saw is the winner. It can make any type of cut in the best way with a lot of accuracies. All those complex cuts make those carvings look more beautiful and perfect. These are the result of the precise work by the scroll saw. Whereas unless the user has a lot of experience with the Jigsaw, it would be a tough process. While cutting through with Jigsaw, it may leave a lot of edges back. This results in roughness, but the more experience with the saw might solve the problem.

5. Handiness

The Jigsaw is quite handier than the scroll saw. The reason is that the Jigsaw is hand-held and can be even taken along to places. This is the reason why many carpenters prefer Jigsaw as it could be handy. They would also be able to take it with them wherever they go for work. But the scroll saw can’t move to places whenever needed as it’s a stationary tool. If you’re are a person who likes to do everything by yourself, then the Jigsaw is the right saw for you.

6. Cuts

The most crucial factor for choosing a saw is the number of cuts it does. If you need proper and accurate cuts with a tiny margin of error, then scroll saw is the best. When there is a lot of different material you need to cut, then Jigsaw is the better one. But the Jigsaw leaves a lot of rough edges and may never be exact unless you get experienced with it.

7. Safety

The Jigsaw compared to the scroll saw is much safer as its very light and movable to places too. The scroll saw may be very dangerous and should be in a very safe place. The portions of the blade in the scroll saw, if not covered well, may result in minor injuries. Even people operating the scroll saw take a lot of precautions before operating it.

Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw: Comparison

Let us look, which is best for you in a glance. Both these tools may look similar in uses, but there is a lot of differences. Here is a table that helps you to familiarize yourself with each tool.

Scroll Vs Jig Saw: What Is It?

What Is Scroll Saw?

The scroll saw After looking at a scroll saw; it looks like a sewing machine with a plate. Back in the 18th century, a British man Mr.Duff found a patent of the scroll saw. This was the first proper recorded discovery of it. He used the machine to cut out the American continent from the world map. This explains the accuracy the scroll saw gives in cutting curves. The scroll saw is a tool with a moving blade fixed well to it. It is a tool used to create patterns and cravings. It gives the user the ability to cut various patterns and difficult shapes out of the wood. See the list of some best scroll saws.

A woodworker based on the complexity of his cuts can choose his scroll saw. Each saw differs by the type of blade attached to it. There are many blades like tooth blades, ground blades, etc. The scroll saw has excellent speed. The speed ranges from 400-1900 strokes per minute. The speed of the cuts depends on the material which is being cut. The same machine could result in different speeds for different materials. When we need the scroll saw? The scroll saw even works almost like a sewing machine. The way we pass the cloth to the sewing machine, here we do the same to the wood.

When we need to make some beautiful cuts on wood for decorations and gifts, we prefer the scroll saw. This is due to its ability to make complex cuts with perfection.  Even making curves becomes an easy job with the scroll saw on your side. Remember how tough it gets solving those giant wooden jigsaw puzzle. All those hard cuts in the pieces get done with geometric precision through the scroll saw. Even small mistakes could prove costly in the process. But with the scroll saw, all those precise stuff could finish off in a matter of minutes.

Curves with a good finish in any wood products will tempt the customer to buy the product. That’s how essential curves are to the products. The scroll saw is one of the best saws for making curves in the woods.  The scroll saw could perform sanding along with sawing in a scroll s, which is a huge added advantage. Sanding the wood removes all the roughness from the surface. Polishing materials play a significant role as they help in performing sanding more easily.

Some scroll saws have even the sanders attached to themselves, which helps them to do both the process at the same time. The Jigsaw If you want to get your hands on wood cravings, one versatile tool is the Jigsaw. Most of the households have the Jigsaw more than any other saws.

This is due to its ability to perform cuts through the adjustable blade present in it. The Jigsaw invented by Mr. Kauffman when a sudden idea struck him while seeing his wife work in a sewing machine. Most of us would have caught a glimpse of the Jigsaw somewhere around us. The Jigsaw gets its work done by moving it over the wood according to the cut we want.

What Is Jig Saw?

It is also known in different names in many parts of the world. The blades of the Jigsaw are at the top. The Jigsaw has a speed of 500-3500 strokes per minute. There are two main types of jigsaws. The corded ones and the other the cordless ones. Both don’t differ much except for the cords. It is either attached or not attached to the saw.  Why we need Jigsaw? The Jigsaw, when having the right blade, can make cuts easier to do. It can cut through anything right from woods to fiberglass.

The Jigsaw can perform any cuts, straight or curved, or even circular cuts without any problem. But the finishing levels may have some minute problems as they aren’t the ideal ones. At home, when there’s a need for any cutting jobs, a jigsaw would be the right choice. This is because it takes care of any cutting job in a much easier and handier way. In most of the construction sites, the concrete gets finished by the Jigsaw at the end. It also can perform the remodeling.

This could help you get the shape you need from broken pieces of wood. Cricket fans might have seen videos of repairing broken cricket bats into brand new ones. With the help of the Jigsaw, the old bats get some new shape and wood on it. There are other machines used, but Jigsaw plays a major role in it. Most of us would have come across scary pumpkin carvings done on Halloween. It looks very hectic and complex. But with the help of the Jigsaw, all those cuts finish off sooner and easier than how much hard we expect it to be.

Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw: Similarities

1. Easy To Handle

Both of these tools are easy to handle. Even if you are a beginner, you can learn the cutting tricks of your own. Both tools are plug and use. No need to calibrate the tools. You can also compare use of jigsaw with sabre saws.

2. Electric Operated

Both this scroll saw, and Jigsaw is electrically operated. In some cases, scroll saw can be operated manually by a small pedal, in electrically cordless operated tools. Li-ion batteries are used, which are rechargeable. They have high efficiency.

3. Easy Speed Adjustment

In both these tools, there is an option to adjust speed according to our wish. The scroll is operated at low speeds.

4. Not Possible To Cut Thicker Materials

Due to the small blade size. We cannot cut objects thicker than a specified dimension. It works well on smaller woods and workpieces.

Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw: Advantages Of Both Tools

In this fast-changing world.Its time to change our old school methods. Both these tools helped our hands to do works better with many benefits. So these are:

• Helped to complete work with minimum time.
• Multiple jobs are possible with a single tool.
• Everyone can learn to work on these tools in less time.
• Easy to handle.

Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw: Features and Technical Specification

Scroll Saw

• Used in precision cutting.
• It can be used to cut curves and delicate material.
• Very thin blades are generally used.
• High durable body.
• Fewer vibrations.
• Operated by electric power or even some tools are pedal supported for uninterrupted work.
• Speed adjustment options.

Jigsaw

• Electrically operated.
• Low power ratings.
• Speed adjustment options.
• Durable and easy to carry.
• Have a good grip to work on.
• Fewer vibrations and noises.
• Easily changeable blades
• Easy to cut curves, shapes and even straight cuttings

Scroll Saw Vs Jigsaw: What You Get In The Box?

1. Scroll Saw

The scroll saw kit, optional blades, Cleaning kits, User manual.

2. Jigsaw

Jigsaw set, optional blades, user manual.

For small uses, these are more than enough. But if you are a working professional. You need to buy extra blade kits and related gears.

Blades Used In Each Tool

We know the up and down motion in blades makes the cut so precise. But the blades used in each oh these tools are different. Let us look into it.

Blades used in Scroll Saw:

Standard tooth blades, Skip tooth blades, Double tooth, Reverse skip tooth, Precision ground, Spiral tooth, Crown tooth blades(These blades are generally small in size.)

Blades used in Jigsaw:

T-shank blades, Universal shank blades, High carbon steel blades, High-speed steel blades, Bi-metal blades. You can alsosee our post on how to choose jigsaw blade.

FAQs