Today, we are doing a band saw versus scroll saw comparison. One big difference between the band saw and the scroll saw is that the band saw has a lot more power. The size of the blade, and the way it is built, makes the band saw ideal for any piece of wood thicker than 2 inches, and the thickness of the material the band saw can cut is really only limited by the distance between the work table and the horizontal arm.
The scroll saw and the band saw are both great saws to own. A band saws blade will rotate on a band as opposed to just moving up and down as the scroll saw. The band saw will be more expensive when you compare a high-end band saw with a high-end scroll saw.
The benefit of using a scroll saw vs. a band saw is that when you’re using the scroll saw on a tabletop, you have the ability to rotate it. For those who do woodworking and you’re trying to decide between a band saw vs. scroll saw for caricature carving, the scroll saw’s fine blades will allow you the get precise detail work you’re trying to achieve. Naturally, power tools are going to cost a decent amount of money, and it is going to be something you’ll need to consider when you are trying to decide between a scroll saw vs. band saw.
A Band Saw and a Scroll Saw may perform the same basic function of sawing but they are different tools with different uses. The Scroll saw is used for detail work to cut intricate patterns in the wood and give the material a final touch… A key difference between a Band saw and a Scroll saw is their design and how they operate: The Band saw uses a motor and wheels, usually two, to drive a continuous loop blade with teeth on one side around the wheels and it cuts in a downward motion. The Scroll saw uses a motor and an arm to move a very thin, needle-like blade in an up and down motion, similar to a jigsaw… Another important difference between a Band saw and a Scroll saw is their features and how they are used: Band saws are more powerful and can easily handle big projects.
Knowing that you need a scroll saw or a band saw is easy but knowing which one you need can be a little trickier. In contrast to scroll saws and other types of saws you might have in your arsenal, band saws are typically used for bigger woodworking projects and can handle much thicker material. A band saw has a worktable similar to the scroll saws, but it is open in the front and back letting you cut long pieces with no obstruction.
Scroll saws and band saws look pretty similar at first glance. What’s the Difference between a Scroll Saw vs Band Saw? The blade is actually the biggest difference between a scroll saw and a band saw. As we mentioned, the blade is the biggest difference between these two saws. Another major difference between these saws is that the throat on a band saw only refers to width. With the right blade, a band saw can cut through materials a scroll saw just couldn’t tackle, even metal. At first glance, a scroll saw and band saw look very similar.
scroll saw vs band saw for metal Related Question:
Can you use a scroll saw to cut metal?
Scroll saws can cut through many different types of metal: cold-rolled steel, bronze, aluminum, copper, brass, and more. The ideal metal thickness is no more than 1/8″ but it can do thicker. Softer metals are easier of course, but even steel is not an impossibility with patience.
Can you use a scroll saw like a band saw?
When You Want to Use a Scroll Saw What is this? They allow for very clean and precise cuts, something which a band saw cannot muster. A scroll saw is also able to do inside plunge cuts, something else a band saw cannot do.
What’s better bandsaw or scroll saw?
The band saw blades are thicker and more reliable than a scroll saw blade. This makes them faster at cutting but makes the cut a bit more coarse. You can’t make super tight turns, like with a scroll saw, but you can use thick wood, which a scroll saw won’t accommodate.
Is a bandsaw good for cutting metal?
Band saws are not suitable for cutting very thin sheet metal; a rule of thumb suggests the metal to be cut should be thicker than the depth of 3 band saw blade teeth, however they are excellent for cutting thin walled profiles such as box and angle.
How thick can a scroll saw cut?
Scroll saws are capable of cutting, or can be made to cut, wood up to 2 inches thick — but it’s not advisable. Unless you’re cutting very soft wood it can result in damage to the blade, the saw or your fingers from pushing too hard.
Can you use a wood saw to cut metal?
While a metal-cutting saw has a collection bin to prevent metal chips from getting into the machine, a woodcutting saw isn’t designed this way. If you do decide to use a wood saw on metal, only use a 7 1/4-inch blade and preferably a worm drive blade, which provides extra torque.
Can you cut a 2×4 with a scroll saw?
Though scroll saws are generally intended for thinner pieces of wood, they can be used to cut a 2×4. They’re pretty versatile little saws, but make sure to take your time with them. The key to success when tackling a 2×4 with a scroll saw is patience, care, and not pushing the wood too hard.
Do I really need a scroll saw?
So, unless you’re about to start a project requiring the precision of a scroll saw, such as intarsia (wood mosaic) projects or wooden children’s toys and puzzles, you don’t need one. If you are a tool junkie or experimental woodworker, if you don’t already own one, a scroll saw is probably already on your wish list.
Is a scroll saw worth it?
A good scroll saw is invaluable for cutting frames BUT it has to be a good one. Look for one with a lot of mass to dampen vibrations, a fine variable-speed drive and a good blade-clamping system. A used Hegner is a good investment.
What is a scroll saw good for?
Scroll saws are often used to cut intricate curves and joints, a task they can complete quickly and with great accuracy. They can also be used to cut dovetail joints and are a common tool for thicker intarsia projects. When a fine blade is used, the kerf of a scroll saw is almost invisible.
What can I use instead of a scroll saw?
There are three other saws that work in a similar fashion to scroll saws. Those saws are the band saw, the jig saw, and the coping (or fret) saw. Bandsaws use a blade that is a band, always working in one direction.
What’s the difference between a fret saw and a scroll saw?
The fretsaw is similar in many respects to the scroll saw, which is essentially a powered fretsaw with a table. Blades between the two tools are usually interchangeable, and indeed scroll saws are often known as “fret saws” informally.
What is the difference between a wood band saw and a metal band saw?
A metal cutting bandsaw is typically built more solidly than a saw designed for cutting wood, so there are no issues with the machine itself. As for the blade, the wood fibers could clog the metal blade’s teeth more quickly, and the blade will probably cut through the wood more slowly.
Can a bandsaw cut hardened steel?
Carbide band saw blades provide high wear resistance and toughness when cutting a variety of applications such as: case hardened steels, spring steels, high speed steels, nickel based alloys, case hardened steels, composite graphite, high nickel alloys, titanium, inconnel, and other exotic metals.
Is Oak good for scroll saw?
Finally, Oak is one of the all time greats in terms of scroll saw art – unfortunately it is also one of the hardest woods to work. Consider practicing on off-cuts before you dive straight into cutting a scroll saw pattern in Oak wood.