Can’t find the right saw for your job? Maybe you suffering from hesitation about which one to take? Then find out about Scroll Saw Vs. Band Saw vs. Jigsaw reviews and differences. The price of a band saw is higher, so is the jigsaw better in all respects?
Read for more detailed information, such as their use, quality, and variety of work.
What is a Scroll Saw?
A scroll saw is simply a cutting table with a roller mechanism to make three-dimensional scrolls quickly. You might be thinking that there are other cutting tables out there, but scroll saws are, in fact, the only tables that cut metal, plastic, and cutting intricate curves.
Scroll saws have been around since the late 19th century and are widely used for a cut less than 1 to 2 inches thicker wood.
It cuts the wood’s surface from the bottom up and applies only to light wood. In some cases, a scroll saw is used as a working platform, for example, for wirings such as wooden letters, wood names, silhouettes, and various designs.
Because the blades are positioned at different heights, the table can quickly cut a wide variety of shapes. Each angle cut adds more material to the flat surface. When cutting a flat surface, the speed of the machine increases, and at the same time, the angle increases as well. Scroll saws can even be used for simple corner cuts, jigsaw puzzles, and other small sculptures.
Uses of Scroll Saw
- The majority of scroll saws in use today are used in metalworking. You can use the scroll saw to make metal hinges, grooves, mortises, slots, etc., out of wood.
- The saws are also used for many other woodworking tasks, including writing, DIY enthusiasts, etc.
- Delicate operations: You can perform exemplary operations beginning/rebounding a frame, replacing wooden end-grain treads, etc., with a scroll saw.
- Width cuts: As with any cutting tool, you can use the case to cut shapes such as leaf tails, stretchers, laminating, Cabinetwork, etc
Pros
- At least, once you become accustomed to using a scroll saw, your capabilities of trimming straight-grained wood will significantly increase.
- An exceptionally efficient tool, cutting each angle accurately and intricately.
- Scroll saw it is versatile. You can apply it for artwork projects.
- They are speedy and can produce accurate angles in very little time.
- Large tables cut up to 90 degrees.
- Easy to use & save time
- This saw will allow you to cut landscapes and portraits to create jigsaw puzzles easily.
Cons
- It may not be the best tool for a Heavy task. You can cut light materials with a scroll saw.
- Saws are susceptible to oscillation, and that can be a problem with certain materials.
- This saw is not for straights cuts. It is because the blade rotates too much, which spoils the shape of the straights cut.
What is Bandsaw?
Bandsaws are powerful tools that use to cut a lot of heavy materials. Its weight is around 15 to 45 lbs. It has just one blade and two-wheel for cutting curves and straight cuts fastly. Also, It has one or multiple dust ports for clearing dust. A bandsaw has a cutter bar that cuts horizontally and vertically.
The band saw cuts wood smoothly by backing down on the blade. Although the blade is the only moving part of the saw, you can slow the blade speed by hand-handing the saw. Changing the speed of the blade is referred to as “blading.”
The band saw is great for laying down a layer of flooring, mounting a small object, installing a garden sculpture, cutting and sealing seams, cutting doors and other interior trim, masonry, parts of furniture, trimming a large tree, and more. But for all that, a bandsaw is not a good choice.
You can bend this type of saw blade like a band. That’s why it is called band saw. Bandsaw blades are stiff, blunt, and not very well-tempered. Even when sharpened, there is a short time when they are in use, and they can easily break. And that is why you want to be careful with bandsaws. Cutting a door with a bandsaw is hard and painful.
Uses of Bandsaw
- With a band saw, you can cut heavy materials like metal, hard plastic, thick wood. You can also do trimming, shelves, furniture making, planter boxes, etc.
- With the band saw, you can make smooth wood edges on furniture, cabinetry, and other woodworking projects.
- Working with fast-drying, weak-gauge wood with a band saw is easy.
- Resawing with a band saw is very easy and saves time by cutting large parts of an object.
- You can do all the work of flooring with a band saw. It will meet the needs of other saws such as miter saws, table saws, and flooring saws.
Pros
- Saw blades are better-balanced, and the base reduces vibration for an accurate cut
- Can use all-purpose such as produce rip cuts and cut curves in solid wood
- Saw belts and cams are easily adjusted for different cutting speeds, giving you a smooth cut and precise results.
- You can do several types of saw work with band saws.
Cons
- The band saw is heavy, so You can easily carry it anywhere.
- It is expensive, and it takes time to learn how to use the saw
- It’s not a good machine to cut small pieces
What is Jigsaw?
Jigsaws are a popular cutting tool for doing woodworking, cabinet making, and such work, where making multiple cuts is often necessary. The jigsaw is versatile, lightweight, and efficient. These are hand tools are designing for cutting up to 45 degrees and medium thickness materials.
A jigsaw weighs between 10 and 30 lbs and is portable. Even, Its powerful motor is capable of cutting thick and trim materials. You cannot cut extra heavy materials with a cordless jigsaw. It can be called a mini version of the band saw.
It’s a good tool if you need to cut the long axis or cut a piece of wood in one corner, but if you need to cut outside of 45 degrees on an angle, this tool might not be the right choice for you.
Uses of the jigsaw
- Jigsaws allow you to cut through thick, crooked pieces, uneven, or irregular material.
- Capabilities: This tool is designed to cut straight, 45-degree angles on DIY and general contractor.
- JIgsaw cut corners of material for making attractive, precision-molded trim and cut up to 3-inch thick material
- jigsaw can make custom art in different sizes by cutting these thin pieces.
Pros
- Jigsaw blades are relatively cheap and can be bought in various types, along with extra bits for screwing into a screw hole.
- Cutting straight ahead is easy with a jigsaw, especially for tasks like moldboard trim or decorative shapes.
- Easily maintain a straight cut, rough cutting, and other purposes.
- Jigsaw is very lightweight and cuts several pieces of material with only one side.
- Jigsaw is one of the most affordable and lowest power-consuming tools.
Cons
- The thickness of the material can be a factor. The piece of material you need to cut will not fit if the item is oversized.
- If you are working on an extensive project, you may have to choose another saw. Also, you can’t do larger slices for furniture.
- A jigsaw needs to have enough “wattage” to cut material thick enough for you to cut.
Key Difference Scroll Saw VS Band Saw VS Jigsaw Saw
What do you think is the correct type of woodworking tool? The square, smooth side of the wood or the rough side? What is the right angle? Is it 120 degrees or a more standard 60? Is it a band saw, Scrollsaw, or a jigsaw? What’s the difference?
You don’t need to look far to find an answer to those questions. And if you are a woodworker, chances are you already know the answers. But for those of you who might be wondering what the difference between these three tools is, we’ll try to show their Comparison in-dept.
Blade Thickness
One big difference between the three woodworking devices is blade thickness. Depending on what you are doing with your woodworking tool, a thicker blade could be better.
- Band Saw: The blades on the band saw are commonly thicker than on other woodworking saw approximately. It can cut 6 inches to 30 inches. A band saw gives you the ability to shape narrow boards with an edge accurately. It’s also easier to trim flat, irregularly-shaped boards. But a band saw also has one major disadvantage: you can’t cut skinny boards. So if you’re going to work with thin stock, the thickness of your blade will make or break your piece.
- Jigsaw: The blades on the jigsaw are thinner(2 to 1 mm) than the band saw. It can cut 3-inch thick wood. But again, if you’re going to work with skinny stock, the thickness of the blade will make or break your piece.
- Scroll Saw: The blade of the scroll saw is 8 inches long and1/4 inches thick. While jigsaws and band saws can cut intricate pieces, the scroll saw is only using for DIY projects.
Portability
All three of these woodworking tools are designing to be portable. But the scroll saw and jigsaw are considerably smaller than the band saw. You can’t carry a band saw but transfer one place to another by its wheel.
Weight
The weight of a woodworking tool is an essential factor in many woodworking projects. The heavy-duty wooden handle on a scroll saw can help hold it in a more comfortable position than the wood handle on a band saw since it’s lighter and more portable.
You can take a scroll saw with you on more jobs. The amount of material needed to achieve the thickness you desire can be a factor in choosing the right woodworking tool. For example, a band saw with a heavy wood handle might be more appropriate for sheet metal or preformed wood than for use with fine.
Control
The blade control mechanisms vary by tool. It might affect how the wood is slicing and whether the woodworker can get the blade back to its starting point. So it may be helpful to determine the differences between these types of woodworking tools so you know what’s right for you.
- Scroll Saw: The scroll saw uses a blade that moves along a sliding track. The track allows the blade to travel along one straight line, and it allows you to move the blade into whatever position you need it. To adjust the blade, you move it back and forth along the track. A scroll saw can also have a 1/2- and 3/4-in. or 1/4-in.
- Jig Saw: A jigsaw uses a sliding guide and guides pins with a control mechanism to move the cutting guide. You control the cutting guide on a jigsaw by moving it along a guide pin. The cutting guide moves back and forth on the base of the jig. When the jig is moving, the cutting guide stops moving, and a cut is made. You control the movement of the jig guide by moving the jig back and forth.
- Bandsaw: The bandsaw is a continuous band. You can make a single cut or multiple cuts. Its blade is fixed, so you’ll need to change the cutting element. The cutting element moves back and forth when the blade is moving, so if you want to cut thin pieces, you’ll have to hold the piece in place with another tool while the cutting element moves across the wood.
Blade Type
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Price
The price of a band saw is much higher than the other three. It is used extensively in the industrial field. Jigsaws cost a lot less than band saws. And scroll saw is using for crafting and DIY purpose, and its price is less than a jigsaw but much less than a band saw.
How to Choose the Right Power Saw?
When choosing a power saw, you should consider its power, speed, dust port, etc. Each type of power saw has its advantages and disadvantage. There are a few parameters you should follow for a jigsaw, scroll saw, and band saw.
Power Input
These three power saws come with an electric motor. The motor is the primary source of power and gives the saw its ability to cut. So, choose the right saw to compare your project.
Durability & Mounting
If you plan to use the saw outdoors, you will need a rigid body that is more durable and can endure harsh conditions.
Some power saws are made so that the motor will not take too much space. But there are times you may need a relatively large space. There are also other times when you may want the motor on the right side of the saw to help keep the blade in the optimum position.
Variable Speed
Variable speed settings allow the user to vary the speed of the motor so that the blade moves faster or slower depending on the material. You can use a variable speed setting on the bandsaw, jigsaw.
Dust Port
Power saws have a dust extraction port. It allows the saw to automatically close the extraction port to keep the dust from the worker’s face and hair. It is typically finding on a power saw near the blades. The bandsaw has one or multiple dust extraction ports.
Helical Drying System
A helical drying system creates a small pocket of air around the cutting blade. This area helps keep the blade cool.
Mechanical Shock Protection
This type of shock protection system will prevent the saw from vibrating when it hits an uneven surface. This protection is typically found on power saws that have a 10-in. or longer rotor. Specially bandsaw reduce vibration.
Keyless Blade Changing System
With a critical system, you need lots of time to change the saw blade. You do not need to keep your saw blade key with you if you have a keyless blade changing feature. The keyless system allows you to put the blade in the correct position and remove the blade with the blade key.
Body Shape
There are several shapes of bodies for power saws. The most common bodies are rectangle and hexagonal. Usually, Hexagonal body is famous among woodworkers because they can carve and cut out circles easily.
Hi their! I am working with daily instruments since 2018. I complete my M.SC in Mechanical Engineering. I accomplished with commencement in 2009 from the College of Colorado Denver. Now I am working for a widely known tools firm. Sometimes i write informative article on my blog weeklytools.com & dailytools.com