For cutting woods efficient and precisely, you need to use a scroll saw, which comes with a fine blade to make detailed cuts. But having a powerful tool is not enough to make clean cuts. You also have to choose the proper scroll saw woods for cutting with the saw.
If you choose the wrong woods for your project, then you might not end up with your desired results. So you need to have a basic idea regarding the woods you should use for a scroll saw project as this can help you in making your work even better. Keep reading to learn about them.
Can I Use a Soft Wood for the Scroll Saw Project?
Most of the softwoods are quite brittle and fragile. So, it is best not to use them for any scroll saw projects. You cannot get a fine cut by using them. Softwoods like pine and basswood are recommended not to be used because of their fragile nature.
But other softwoods can be used for practicing to operate a scroll saw. The best ones to practice with are poplar, plywoods, and alder. Poplar is more grain, while plywoods are more solid and stable to use.
You should know what wood you are using and whether they will allow you to make fine, tight, and detailed cuts. Softwoods easily break and bend while making a cut, which is a downside. But if you want to use it for practice, then choose a solid and less resistant softwood.
Can I Use a Hard Wood for the Scroll Saw Project?
Hardwoods are the best woods to use for a scroll saw project. A scroll saw can efficiently make tight cuts and curved cuts on them. They are quite sturdy and durable. While cutting them, the hardwoods will stick together and will provide you with a fine result as you desired.
Such detailed results cannot be achieved by using softwoods. There are some best hardwoods that can be used for your scroll saw projects. Read below to know about them.
The Best Hardwoods for Using with a Scroll Saw
Walnut: Walnut is quite a soft hardwood. It may come in varied colors. You can find them in rich dark brown or purple dark tone.It is the only hardwood tree, which is grown in North America.
You can use this wood for producing not so heavy weighted projects. The walnut trees are especially known for their swirling grains and growing burls. Using this wood will provide a nice texture to your project and will make it more detailed.
Cherry: Cherry is another hardwood, which has an even grain and can be easily cut with a scroll saw. The cherry tree has a light and rich brown color, which makes it quite attractive. But it becomes dark in color when it gets exposed to sunlight.
It is softer than the wood of walnut, so the final product will not be as strong as other hardwoods.
Maple: Maple is a common hardwood, which can be mostly found in North America. It is lighter in color and durable than walnut and cherry as it has a tight curled grain. Many wood crafters prefer it for its light color, plus it is quite economical than other hardwoods.
Birch: Another hardwood that has a lighter color. Birch has curly grains and whitish creamy color. It is quite hard to stain them like Maple. This hardwood is quite solid and is mostly used for making kitchen cabinets.
Ash: Ash comes with a similar hardness like Oak and Birch. So you need to perform the cutting process gently to achieve fine results. It has two different color contrast. The wood is lighter on the outside and gets darker when you reach its heart.
This color combination makes it beautiful and distinct. It has unique grain patterns and which is why wood crafters love to use it.
Hickory: It is the hardest and most durable out of the above hardwoods. This wood can wear out the blade quite easily because of its hardness. It has contrasting colors, which makes your final product more ravishing. Moreover, it stains quite well and looks attractive in all types of colors.
Things to Consider while Purchasing the Best Scroll Saw for Wood
When looking for the best scroll saw you need to consider some points. And here we have elaborated them for you.
1. Speed: The speed of a scroll saw is determined by its stroke per minute. Scroll saws may come with two-speed function or variable speeds. Having a saw with variable speeds can help to cut not only wood but other different materials. Or else you can also purchase a scroll saw that at least comes with two-speed functions.
2. Throat size: The throat size is the distance between the back of the saw and the scroll saw’s blade. The minimum distance between them is 6-inch, but some saws come with a wide 30-inch distance. More extended throat size is used only for special projects. For regular projects, a 10-16-inch throat size is recommended.
3. Easy to adjust: Make sure the saw you will purchase can be adjusted with ease. Changing the blade should not be a hassle and operating it is easy. The saw should come with a sturdy stand and durable materials. And if you want a scroll saw that can be moved easily from place to place, then you should consider its weight.
4. Vibration: Before purchasing a scroll saw, you should check whether it vibrates a lot or not. A high vibrating saw may ruin the cuts, so try to purchase a saw that vibrates less.
5. Budget: Your budget is also an important point to consider. Scroll saw come at different prices starting from $100 to $2500 plus. If you are a hobbyist or an occasional user, then it is recommended you choose a scroll saw within a $200 range. And if you are into the woodcraft business, then saws with $500-$1200 price range will do it.
Conclusion
Hardwoods are best when it comes to making a scroll saw project. While softwoods are resistant to the blade quite a little, they are good for practicing to know how to use a scroll saw. I hope this article on the best scroll saw wood has helped you to know the right wood you should use for your projects.