As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All claims are strictly my personal opinion.
Best scroll saw overall
A 20" saw with a parallel-link arm, tool-free blade clamps and a cast-iron table that bevels both ways.
A scroll saw cuts the shapes no other power tool can: tight curves, sharp inside corners, fretwork, puzzles, intarsia, signs and ornaments. The thin blade moves up and down while you steer the work, and because you can thread it through a drilled hole, it cuts openings in the middle of a board without a cut in from the edge. The best scroll saw for most woodworkers is the DEWALT DW788: a 20″ saw with a parallel-link arm that keeps the blade square and the vibration low. The WEN 3923 is the best scroll saw for beginners, the WEN 3921 is the budget pick and the JET JWSS-22B is the premium choice for big work.
Below are seven picks, from a clamp-on craft saw to a 22″ machine, a comparison table, short reviews from the makers’ specifications, a buying guide and the blades worth buying first. Once the pieces are cut, my oscillating belt and spindle sander picks smooth the curves.
Best Scroll Saws: Comparison
Specs come from the makers’ product pages; for the JET they come from its listing and dealer spec sheet. Throat is the distance from the blade to the back of the arm, which sets the widest piece you can turn. I don’t print prices: each review gives a market tier, and the Amazon buttons show the live price.
| Product | ⭐ DEWALT DW788 🏆 EDITOR’S CHOICE |
WEN 3923 | WEN 3921 | SKIL SS9503-00 | Delta 40-694 | JET JWSS-22B | Dremel Moto-Saw MS20-01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Throat | 20″ | 16″ | 16″ | 16″ | 20″ | 22″ | Not listed |
| Max cut | 2″ | 2″ | 2″ | 2″ | 2-1/8″ | 2″ | Not listed |
| Speed | 400-1,750 SPM | 550-1,600 SPM | Up to 1,600 SPM | 550-1,650 SPM | 400-1,750 SPM | 400-1,550 SPM | Variable |
| Stroke | 3/4″ | 9/16″ | 9/16″ | 3/4″ | 3/4″ | 3/4″ | 0.315″ |
| Table | Cast iron | 16″ x 10″ | 16″ x 10″ | 16″ x 10″ steel | 16″ x 24″ cast iron | 12-7/8″ x 23″ cast iron | Clamp-on base |
| Bevel | 45° left and right | Up to 45° | 45° left | 0-45° left | 45° left and right | Arm tilts 45° both ways | None |
| Availability | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon |
Best Scroll Saws: Reviews
Every pick could be ordered on Amazon when I checked it. I left out Hegner, Excalibur and Pegas saws: they’re excellent, but they’re sold mostly through specialist dealers rather than Amazon.
Editor's Choice20" scroll saw
DEWALT DW788
DEWALT DW788 20 in. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Parallel-link arm, 20" throat and a cast-iron table that bevels both ways: the saw to grow into.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: DEWALT
Best for
Scrollers who cut fretwork, puzzles and intarsia every week.
- Parallel-link arm: low vibration, square cuts
- 20" throat, bevels both ways
- Controls and tension lever up front
Skip it if
You're trying scrolling for the first time: a WEN 3923 costs a fraction to learn on.
- 56 lb, needs a stand or solid bench
- Stand and work light sold separately
Read full review
Best Scroll Saw Overall
The DW788 is the scroll saw most serious hobbyists end up with, and DeWalt’s spec sheet shows why. Its double parallel-link arm keeps the blade perpendicular to the table through the whole stroke, which cuts vibration and noise and avoids the over- and under-cutting that spoils fretwork. The 20″ throat handles large patterns, the 3/4″ stroke runs at 400 to 1,750 strokes per minute, and it cuts wood up to 2″ thick. The oversized cast-iron table bevels 45° left and right. The on-off switch, speed dial, flexible dust blower and blade-tension lever all sit on the front of the upper arm, tool-free clamps change blades in seconds, and the arm lifts so you can thread the blade through a starter hole for inside cuts. It weighs 56 lb and carries a 3-year limited warranty. Premium-lower price tier.
Best for beginners16" scroll saw
WEN 3923
WEN 3923 16-Inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw with Easy-Access Blade Changes
Flip-open blade access, pinned and pinless blades, a light and a cast-iron base at a starter price.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: WEN
Best for
A first scroll saw for crafts, signs, ornaments and simple puzzles.
- Flip-open side panel for blade changes
- Takes pinned, pinless and spiral blades
- Work light, air pump and dust port
Skip it if
You cut fine fretwork for hours: a parallel-link saw like the DW788 vibrates less.
- 9/16" stroke clears dust slower than 3/4"
- Table bevels one way
Read full review
Best Scroll Saw for Beginners
Changing and threading blades is what frustrates new scrollers most, and the 3923 is built around it. A side panel flips open to give direct access to the lower blade holder, and the holder accepts pinned, pinless and spiral blades, so you can start with easy pinned blades and move to finer pinless ones. The thumb-screw adapter makes changes tool-free. The 16″ throat and 9/16″ stroke cut hardwood up to 2″ thick at 550 to 1,600 strokes per minute, on a 16″ x 10″ table that bevels to 45°. A cast-iron base stops walking, and you get a flexible work light, an adjustable air pump to clear the line, a 1-1/2″ dust port, a hold-down foot and three blades. WEN backs it for two years. Budget-to-mid price tier.
Best budget16" two-direction scroll saw
WEN 3921
WEN 3921 16-Inch Two-Direction Variable Speed Scroll Saw
The cheapest way into scrolling, with a two-direction blade mount for long rip cuts.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: WEN
Best for
Trying scroll sawing on the smallest budget.
- Lowest price tier
- Two-direction blade mount for long cuts
- Cast-iron base, light and air pump
Skip it if
Blade changes put you off: the 3923's side panel makes them easier.
- No flip-open blade access like the 3923
- Table bevels one way
Read full review
Best Budget Scroll Saw
The 3921 is the lowest price tier here and has one trick the others don’t: its blade holder takes pinned blades in two directions, standard and turned 90°. Turned sideways, the blade cuts along the length of a board without the arm getting in the way, so long rip cuts are no longer limited by the 16″ throat. Otherwise it shares the 3923’s basics: a 9/16″ stroke that cuts hardwood up to 2″ thick, speed adjustable up to 1,600 strokes per minute, a 16″ x 10″ table that bevels 45° left, a cast-iron base, flex light, air pump, 1-1/2″ dust port, hold-down foot, onboard storage and three blades. It takes pinned and pinless blades, and WEN gives a two-year warranty. WEN’s own page gives the bottom of the speed range as both 400 and 550 strokes per minute, so I list only the top speed.
Best mid-range16" scroll saw
SKIL SS9503-00
SKIL SS9503-00 1.2 Amp 16 in. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
A 16" saw with a 3/4" stroke, LED light and keyless blade changes between the WENs and the 20" saws.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: SKIL
Best for
Hobbyists who want a 16" saw with a longer stroke and a built-in light.
- 3/4" stroke on a 16" saw
- Built-in LED light and dust removal
- Keyless blade change, on-tool storage
Skip it if
You want pinned blades out of the box: the WEN 3923 includes them.
- Steel table, not cast iron
- Ships with pinless blades only
Read full review
Best Mid-Range Scroll Saw
SKIL’s 16″ saw moves up from the WENs in one useful way: a 3/4″ blade stroke, the same as the 20″ saws, which clears sawdust from the kerf faster in thick stock. It runs at 550 to 1,650 strokes per minute from a 1.2 A motor and cuts 2″ at 0° and 3/4″ at 45°. The 16″ x 10″ steel table tilts 0 to 45° left. An integrated LED work light lights the line, an integrated dust-removal system blows it clear, blade changes are keyless, and spare blades store on the tool. SKIL lists three pinless 18-tooth blades in the box. Mid-range price tier.
Best 20" alternative20" scroll saw
Delta 40-694
Delta 40-694 20 In. Variable Speed Scroll Saw
A parallel-link 20" saw with a lift-and-lock arm, 2-1/8" depth and a 5-year warranty.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: Delta
Best for
Scrollers who want DW788-class cutting with a lockable arm and a longer warranty.
- Parallel-link arm, 2-1/8" depth
- Arm lifts and locks for threading
- 5-year warranty
Skip it if
You want the lighter saw with the bigger dealer network: the DW788 weighs 56 lb.
- 70 lb, the heaviest here
- Stand sold separately
Read full review
Best Alternative 20-Inch Scroll Saw
The 40-694 is the DW788’s closest rival, built on the same idea: a dual parallel-link arm that keeps the blade square to the table and cuts vibration and noise. Delta lists 400 to 1,750 strokes per minute, a 3/4″ stroke, a 20″ capacity and a cutting depth of 2-1/8″ at 90° and 1-5/8″ at 45°. The 16″ x 24″ cast-iron table bevels 45° both ways. The upper arm lifts and locks up for blade changes and fretwork threading, the switch, speed dial, dust blower and tension lever sit at the front of the arm, and blade tension is a single tool-free lever. It weighs 70 lb, has on-tool blade storage and comes with a 5-year warranty, the longest here. Premium-lower tier.
Best premium22" scroll saw
JET JWSS-22B
JET JWSS-22B 22-Inch Scroll Saw with Foot Switch
A 22" saw whose arm tilts while the table stays flat, with a foot switch and one-step blade tensioning.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: JET listing and dealer spec sheet
Best for
Large fretwork, bevel inlay and production scrolling.
- Arm tilts, table stays flat
- Largest throat: 22"
- Foot switch included
Skip it if
Your projects fit a 20" throat: the DW788 costs less.
- Most expensive pick
- Specs taken from JET's Amazon listing
Read full review
Best Premium Scroll Saw
The JWSS-22B is for scrollers who cut big pieces and bevel a lot. Its biggest difference is that the arm tilts 45° right and left while the table stays flat, so the work never slides downhill on bevel cuts and inlays. It has the largest throat here, 22″, a 12-7/8″ x 23″ cast-iron table and a variable speed of 400 to 1,550 strokes per minute. A 2-in-1 upper blade mechanism clamps and tensions the blade in one step, the spring-loaded arm lifts 10″ and stays up for threading, and a foot switch comes in the box so both hands stay on the work. Blade storage holds pre-loaded blades and a built-in wrench. The specs here come from JET’s Amazon listing and JET’s spec sheet as published by its dealers. Premium price tier, the most expensive saw here.
Best compactcompact scroll saw
Dremel Moto-Saw MS20-01
Dremel MS20-01 Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact Scroll Saw Kit
A 2.4 lb clamp-on scroll saw that lifts off as a coping saw, for crafts and thin stock.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: Dremel
Best for
Crafters and model makers who cut thin stock in a small space.
- Doubles as a hand-held coping saw
- 2.4 lb, clamps to any table
- Auto-tensioning blade changes
Skip it if
You cut 3/4" hardwood or larger patterns: any 16" benchtop saw does more.
- No bevel, small capacity
- Short 0.315" stroke
Read full review
Best Compact Scroll Saw
The Moto-Saw is the scroll saw for a craft table or a small apartment. It’s a scroll saw and coping saw in one: the saw clamps to a table or bench with a fast-clamp base, then lifts off to become a hand-held electric coping saw you take to the work. Dremel’s spec sheet lists a 0.6 A motor with variable speed, a short 0.315″ stroke, dust collection and a weight of only 2.4 lb. An auto-tensioning, quick-change mechanism keeps the blade taut without adjustments. It cuts wood, plastic, laminate and metal with the right blade, but there’s no table tilt and its capacity is far below a benchtop saw. Lower mid-range tier, with a 2-year limited warranty.
How I Chose These Scroll Saws
I looked at the scroll saws sold on Amazon today from established brands and picked one for each kind of scroller: an all-round saw to grow into, a beginner saw that makes blade changes easy, the cheapest saw worth buying, a mid-range 16″, a second 20″ option, a premium 22″ and a compact craft saw. I compared throat, stroke, speed range, table and bevel, and how the arm is built, from the makers’ specifications. I don’t show customer ratings or prices. For how I pick products across the site, see how I choose.
Best Scroll Saw for Beginners
A first scroll saw should make three things easy: changing blades, seeing the line and holding the work still. That’s why the WEN 3923 is the beginner pick: its side panel flips open for the lower blade clamp, it accepts pinned blades (the easiest to fit) as well as pinless and spiral ones, and it has a flexible light, an air pump and a hold-down foot. A 16″ throat is plenty for ornaments, signs, puzzles and boxes.
What Beginners Can Skip
You don’t need a 20″ throat, a cast-iron table that bevels both ways or a foot switch to learn. You do need a variety pack of blades, a stand or solid bench at elbow height, good light and patience at slow speeds. If you outgrow a 16″ saw, a parallel-link 20″ like the DW788 is the usual next step.
Pinned vs Pinless Blades
Pinned blades have a cross pin at each end that hooks into the holder. They fit fast and tension easily, but the pin needs a larger starter hole for inside cuts. Pinless (plain-end) blades are clamped, fit through a tiny hole and come in far more sizes, so most scrollers switch to them once they’re comfortable. Spiral blades cut in every direction without turning the work.
How to Choose a Scroll Saw
Throat Size
Scroll saws are named by throat: 16″ saws turn pieces up to 16″ wide, 20″ and 22″ saws handle larger fretwork and signs. Measure the largest piece you expect to make. A two-direction blade mount like the WEN 3921’s also lets you rip long strips past the throat limit.
Arm Design and Vibration
Parallel-link arms (DEWALT DW788, Delta 40-694) move the blade straight up and down and stay square to the table, which reduces vibration and gives cleaner edges on thick stock. C-arm saws like the 16″ WENs and SKIL are cheaper and fine for most crafts, but vibrate more at high speed. A cast-iron base or table adds mass and stops the saw from walking.
Speed and Stroke
Variable speed matters: slow speeds give control on tight curves, thin stock and plastic; fast speeds cut thick hardwood. A 3/4″ stroke (DW788, Delta, SKIL) clears sawdust from the kerf better than a 9/16″ stroke when cutting 1″ stock or thicker.
Blade Changes and Tension
You’ll change blades constantly, and for inside cuts you’ll release and rethread the same blade many times. Look for tool-free clamps, an arm that lifts and stays up (Delta, JET) and a tension lever at the front. Tension the blade until it rings when plucked; a slack blade wanders and breaks.
Table, Bevel and Dust
A table that bevels both ways saves turning the work around on angled and inlay cuts; the JET tilts the arm instead, so the table stays flat. A dust blower keeps the line visible, and a 1-1/2″ dust port connects to a shop vacuum; my guide to shop vacs for dust collection covers which one to use.
💡 Pro Tip: Put Packing Tape Over the Pattern
Glue the paper pattern to the wood, then cover it with clear packing tape. The tape lubricates the blade, so it runs cooler and burns less in hardwoods, and the pattern peels off cleanly afterwards. Let the blade cut at its own pace and turn the work, not the blade, around tight corners.
Best Scroll Saw Blades
The blades that come with a saw are usually just enough to start. A good blade variety pack does more for your cuts than a more expensive saw. Reverse-tooth blades, with a few teeth pointing up at the bottom, leave a cleaner bottom edge with less sanding. Pégas Modified Geometry blades, made at Grobet’s factory in Vallorbe, Switzerland, are a premium choice for clean cuts in hardwood, Olson reverse-tooth assortments are an affordable way to try sizes, and Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse variety packs cover most project thicknesses. Start with #5 for 1/2″ to 3/4″ stock, finer #2 and #3 for thin fretwork, and #7 to #9 for thick hardwood.
A Stand Helps
Scroll sawing is close, careful work, so height and angle matter. A stand like the WEN MSA1621, which WEN makes to fit its own saws and the DW788, tilts the saw toward you to save your neck, and bolting it down stops vibration.
🏆 The Verdict
The best scroll saw for most woodworkers is the DEWALT DW788: a parallel-link 20″ saw that’s smooth, square and built to last. For a first saw, the WEN 3923 makes blade changes easy; on the smallest budget, the WEN 3921. The SKIL SS9503-00 adds a 3/4″ stroke to a 16″ saw, the Delta 40-694 is the 20″ alternative with a 5-year warranty, the JET JWSS-22B is the premium choice for large and beveled work, and the Dremel Moto-Saw suits crafts in a small space.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is better than a scroll saw?+
Which brand of scroll saw blades is considered the best?+
What is the best scroll saw for beginners?+
Are WEN scroll saws any good?+
What is the best scroll saw for the money?+
What can you make with a scroll saw?+
Conclusion
Choose a scroll saw by how often you’ll use it and how big your pieces are. A 16″ WEN is the easy, low-cost way to learn; a parallel-link 20″ like the DEWALT DW788 or Delta 40-694 is the saw to keep for years; and the JET is for large, beveled work. Whatever you pick, buy a variety pack of good blades. Questions about a project? Ask in the comments.
