The 9 Best Scroll Saws
Updated by · How we research
Nine scroll saws compared by reach, vibration, blade type and warranty, from clamp-on craft saws to 22-inch shop machines. The DeWalt DW788 is our top pick. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A scroll saw's throat, the distance from the blade to the back of the arm, sets how wide a panel you can turn, and you can cut about twice that width by rotating the work. Most hobbyists do fine with a 16-inch saw bolted to a sturdy bench. Bigger, heavier saws pay off for people who cut fretwork, signs or puzzles every week.
Editor's Notes
October 22, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The DeWalt DW788 keeps the top spot, and it's still the saw serious hobbyists measure others against. Almost everything around it changed. The WEN 3921 takes over from its near-twin, the WEN 3922, because far more owners have shared how it holds up, and the SKIL SS9503-00, WEN LL2156, Bucktool SSA18BVF and Rikon 10-600VS are new. The JET JWSS-22B is the current version of the Jet saw listed before.
The General International EX-16, Delta 40-694 and Rockwell RK7315 are gone because we couldn't confirm they're still sold new, and the Harbor Freight saw had too little evidence behind it. The 16-inch Bucktool gave way to the brand's tilting-arm model.
What moved the order most was a woodworking shop's side-by-side noise and vibration comparison of three starter saws, plus years of scroll-saw forum threads about blade changes on the DeWalt. Whatever you buy, bolt it to something heavy. That matters more than most specs.
November 27, 2020:
Thanks to their thin blades, scroll saws are the ideal tool for cutting intricate shapes, profiles, or patterns into wood, metal, and plastics, and give increased accuracy and control over a jigsaw or a band saw. It is somewhat of a specialty tool and derives its name from its traditional use in making scrollwork on ornaments or furniture.
In this update to the ranking, we have replaced several options with the latest version, and improvements mainly focus on blade changing methods. The latest iteration from Shop Fox is the Shop Fox W1872, which is a good all-round model that now includes a rotary tool attachment with a flexible shaft. This can be used with drill bits or grinding and sanding tools, allowing the workpiece to be refined and modified without moving location. We removed the General International BT8007 over concerns about its durability, and in its place selected the Bucktool 16-inch. It features a heavy-duty cast-iron table that gives it weight and helps to reduce vibrations during use, and a quick blade changing system with easy access through a side panel. Similarly, the Wen 3922 features a special side panel that folds open for easy cleanup and blade changes, along with an improved, tool-free adapter that accepts pinned, pinless and spiral blades.
While all the models in this ranking perform well and have similar-sized work tables and cutting depths, a definite advantage is a foot pedal that adjusts the speed of the saw blades, as it allows for a greater level of control and accuracy. The Jet 727200K, the Bucktool 16-inch, and the Shop Fox W1872 all feature this as standard and it is available as an optional extra for the General International EX-16. Interestingly, the General International EX-16 also features a tilting head rather than a tilting base, which allows the workpiece to remain level, allowing for improved visibility.
August 13, 2019:
Being able to see what you're working on is important, and several models (like the Wen 3921) have flexible LED lamps that allow you to illuminate your workspace. This is undoubtedly convenient, but you may find yourself spending a lot of time fiddling with the light, especially since they tend to cast relatively narrow beams. A unit with all-metal housing, like the Jet 727200K, may be a better choice in that regard, as they allow you to slap on multiple magnetic lights wherever you need them.
One recurring theme we noticed during the ranking process was the ease of changing blades. Many of the options listed here are fantastic as long as everything is working properly, but can become difficult once you need to change a blade. The DeWalt DW788 makes the process easy, which is a big reason why it earned the top spot.
Dust removal was another tricky subject. Many models come with blowers or vacuums to remove dirt and debris, but they're not always reliable, especially on budget models. It may be worth it to invest in a dust collection system, especially if you plan on doing a lot of woodworking. Not only will this help keep your shop or garage clean, but it will also allow you to see what you're doing at all times.
Special Honors
Hegner Multimax-22V Made in Germany and sold in the U.S. through Advanced Machinery, the Multimax-22V is a long-time favorite of professional scrollers. It has a 22-inch throat, variable speed, a quick blade-tension release and a seven-year warranty on mechanical parts. advmachinery.com
Pegas 21-Inch Scroll Saw Designed in Switzerland, the Pegas has a head that tilts both ways for bevels and an upper arm that lifts for fast blade changes. It's sold through woodworking dealers, with Grobet USA as the U.S. importer, and the stand costs extra. grobetusa.com
Throat Depth, Arm Design And Vibration
Most 16-inch saws use a C-shaped arm that rocks the blade slightly forward and back.
Throat depth is the distance from the blade to the rear of the arm, and it sets the widest piece you can work. Because you can spin the board, the widest cut is roughly twice the throat. Bob Vila's scroll saw roundup puts 16 to 18 inches as plenty for most home projects; 20- to 22-inch saws suit large signs, clocks and wall art.
Arm design matters as much as reach. Most 16-inch saws use a C-shaped arm that rocks the blade slightly forward and back. Parallel-arm saws such as the DeWalt DW788 move the blade straight up and down, which gives a smoother cut and less vibration. Fine Woodworking called the DW788 the smoothest of the saws it compared in its 2005 review, and the design hasn't changed much since. The Delta 40-694 is a close cousin.
Weight helps too. A saw near 25 pounds will walk and buzz at high speed; one over 50 pounds sits still. Bolting any saw to a bench or stand cuts vibration sharply, which Scroll Saw Village's review of the WEN 3921 stresses for starter saws.
Pinned Or Pinless Blades, Stroke And Speed
Scroll saw blades are about 5 inches long and come in two kinds. Pinned blades have a small cross pin at each end, snap in quickly and are sold at most hardware stores, but the pin needs a big entry hole, so they're poor for fine fretwork. Pinless (plain-end) blades come in far more sizes and thread through a tiny drilled hole. The DW788 takes only pinless blades; most 16-inch saws take both, with an adapter (Family Handyman).
Stroke length is how far the blade travels each cycle. A longer stroke, about 3/4 inch, uses more of each blade's teeth and clears sawdust better than a 9/16-inch stroke, so blades last longer. Sawinery's side-by-side comparison (a woodworking retailer) found all three of its 16- and 18-inch saws could cut 2-inch white oak, and the SKIL ran quietest at about 80 decibels.
Every saw here has variable speed, roughly 400 to 1,750 strokes a minute. Slow speeds suit plastic, thin veneer and tight turns; fast speeds suit thick hardwood. If you're doing marquetry or very fine work, pick a saw that takes pinless blades and runs smoothly at low speed.
Blade Changes, Stands, Dust And Safety
Changing blades is the most common complaint, and you'll do it a lot: every inside cut means releasing the blade, threading it through a hole and re-clamping it. Look for tool-free clamps, an upper arm that lifts and stays up, and easy access to the lower clamp. Owners of the DW788 often prop its arm with a block because it drops on its own.
Most saws are bench-top. A stand puts the table at a comfortable height and adds mass, and DeWalt, JET and Hegner sell matching stands separately. Serious scrollers often move up to saws sold through woodworking dealers rather than general stores: Excalibur, Pegas, Seyco and Hegner, which forum regulars on Scroll Saw Village rank above the mass-market brands. Expect to pay $700 to $2,000.
Unplug the saw before changing a blade, and follow your manual for the blade guard and hold-down foot. Scroll saws are loud enough at full speed that hearing protection makes sense, and fine dust calls for a dust mask and a shop vacuum on the dust port. Let the blade do the cutting; forcing the wood snaps blades. We found no scroll saw recalls from these brands in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's database.
How we researched this
We compared 19 scroll saws, read the makers' spec sheets and dealer specifications for the 9 picks, weighed shop tests from Bob Vila, Family Handyman, Fine Woodworking and a woodworking retailer's side-by-side comparison, read years of owner threads on scroll-saw forums, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The 3D models are built from published dimensions.
Sources (9)
- DeWalt: DW788 20-inch variable-speed scroll saw
- Bob Vila: The Best Scroll Saws
- Family Handyman: Best Scroll Saws
- Fine Woodworking: DeWalt DW788 review
- Sawinery: Best Scroll Saws
- Scroll Saw Village: WEN 3921 review
- Scroll Saw Village forum: Pegas vs Seyco
- Advanced Machinery: Hegner scroll saws
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: recalls
Frequently asked questions
How thick a board can a scroll saw cut?
Most bench saws are rated for about 2 inches of wood. In practice, thick hardwood cuts slowly and wears blades fast, so most scrolling is done in stock under 1 inch. Compact saws like the Dremel Moto-Saw handle only about 3/4 inch.
Pinned or pinless blades: which should I use?
Pinned blades are easier to install and easy to find, but the pins need a large entry hole. Pinless blades come in more sizes and thread through a tiny hole, so they're the choice for fretwork and inlay. Most 16-inch saws take both; the DeWalt DW788 takes only pinless.
Is a 16-inch scroll saw big enough?
For ornaments, puzzles, small signs and most hobby work, yes. A 16-inch saw cuts to the center of a piece about 32 inches wide. Step up to 20 or 22 inches if you make large wall art or clocks.
Do I need a stand?
No, but the saw must be held down. Bolt or clamp it to a heavy bench, or buy the maker's stand. Either cuts vibration, which makes following a line much easier.
What scroll saws do professionals use?
Many full-time scrollers use Hegner, Pegas, Seyco or Excalibur saws, sold through woodworking dealers for roughly $700 to $2,000. The DeWalt DW788 and JET JWSS-22B are the common choices below that.
Is a scroll saw the same as a jigsaw?
No. A jigsaw is handheld and cuts rougher curves in sheet goods. A scroll saw sits on a bench with a thin blade held at both ends, so it makes much tighter turns and clean inside cuts.
