The best scroll saw blade, like any other blade, wouldn’t last forever. You would have to replace it at some point or the other. However, not all blades work the same.
There are certain brands that truly make blades keeping efficiency and longevity in mind. And then there are some other blades that stop functioning optimally after a few projects.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best scroll saw blade you can truly count on for both their performance and lifespan.
How Do I Choose The Best Scroll Saw Blade？
When you have to choose the best scroll saw blade then you can find various types of blades of this kind in the market. It can easily confuse you if you are new in this trade and have no experience or knowledge in this regard.
You can cut wood or any other material more delightfully and easily if you know the types of blade you should use. The information provided in this write-up will help you to choose the right scroll saw blades for your project.
Types Of Scroll Saw Blades
Some of the most popularly used different types of scroll saw blades may include:
Blades With Standard Tooth: This type of scroll saw blades are most commonly provided with the new scroll saws. There are two types of blades with standard tooth including blades for wood and blades for metal.
The teeth of the standard blade for wood are placed at equal distance from each other so that sawdust can be moved out easily to cut the wood without clogging. On the other hand, the teeth of the standard blade for metal are put close to each other to cut the metal more efficiently.
Blades With Skip Tooth: The tooth of this type of saw blades miss for every other tooth to leave a wider gap between them to cut any material easily and quickly instead of precisely. It is the best blade for beginners.
Blades With Double Teeth: Though these blades look like the blades with split teeth still they are different from them as they miss a tooth after every other pair of teeth. They can cut slowly and give a smooth finish but cannot be handled easily.
Blades With Reverse Skip Tooth: The gap in its teeth is similar to the blades with skip teeth but it skips tooth in the reverse direction after 3 teeth every time. It is the best scroll saw blade for cutting plywood smoothly.
Blades Ground With Precision: This blade is the best for cutting materials precisely. It is a small and thin blade that looks like a combination of the blades with a reverse skip and skip tooth.
To operate a saw with this blade one must be skilled to a certain level as it cut materials very smoothly and effortlessly but can injure you if used carelessly.
Blades With Crown Tooth: The shape of the teeth of these blades as well as the space between them looks like a crown. These blades do not have any down or up direction and are mostly used for cutting materials like plastic rather than wood.
Spiral Blades: These blades with small teeth make a spiral by twisting upon themselves. They can easily cut in all directions but their cut remains rougher and wider than other types of blades. So they are used in limited applications.
Size Of The Blade
While choosing the best scroll saw blade you should also consider its size along with its type. Most of the users consider the thickness and width of the blade while choosing for their projects.
Large Blades: If the density and thickness of wood increase you will have to use larger blades ranging from number #5 to #12. #5 and #7 can be used or cutting thick wood whereas for 1” thick wood #12 blade will be the best.
However, blades from #9 and above are considered more durable as they can cut faster and may not break even under pressure. But sometimes it is not easy to choose between #9 and #12 blades as you may not find #12 blades with all types of teeth.
Small Blades: To cut thin wood you can use blades of #3 or smaller sizes. You can control them easily while cutting a thin wood as they cut slowly. You can choose blades of smaller sizes if you have to cut the frets of the smallest size.
However, if you have to cut the stack of thin wood then you should choose the size of the blade according to the thickness of the stack.
Other Factors To Consider While Choosing The Best Scroll Saw Blades:
While choosing the best scroll saw blade you should consider a few more things along with the type and size of the blades like:
The Density Of Material: The blade with a larger tooth can be the right for cutting material with high density smoother. It will prevent the burning of wood as less heat will be generated by using the blades of the right configurations.
The Thickness Of Material: As per the rule you must use a larger scroll saw blade to cut material with higher thickness. You cannot cut a thick piece of any material with a smaller blade without breaking it.
Diversity Of The Blade: You must have different types of blades within your approach so that you can use any of them as and when required. You can easily choose the right blade for cutting any type of material.
Maneuverability And Precision: A blade with smaller teeth can be the best choice if you have to cut an artistic pattern with a number of smaller frets. You can manage and control your blade more precisely while cutting the wood smoothly without generating splinters too much.
Lubrication: There is a great risk of wear and tear of scroll saw blades as they have to move at a very high speed in a very short time. You have to lubricate frequently and lightly with coconut oil or mineral oil to prolong the life of your blade.
Exclusiveness: Every type of blade should not be used to cut any type of material. You should choose the blade according to the type of materials you have to cut. You should not use a wood cutting blade to cut a piece of metal and inversely.
The Complexity Of Cuts: You should also keep the intricacy of the cuts while choosing the right blade to cut them. A blade with a smaller size and width can be the right choice for cutting smaller frets or tight corners.
Thus by considering the tips discussed in this write-up you can easily choose the best scroll saw blades for you.
1. Olson Saw PG49802 Precision Ground Scroll Saw Blade
If you’re looking for an extremely sharp and fine scroll saw blade teeth, the PG49802 by Olson is worth checking out.
The sharpness of the best scroll saw blade them ideal for different materials, particularly hardwood. The double teeth ensure top performance.
Also, since the blade is long-lasting and highly durable, you need not worry much about changing them often.
The blade’s reverse tooth guarantees clean and sharp edges on the top and bottom surfaces, along with a sand-free finish. Not to mention, the blade is extremely durable and will not distort or bend easily.
Removing and installing the blade is quite straightforward. If you have never dealt with a scroll saw blades before, the PG49802 would not make you feel alien or confused.
2. Flying Dutchman New Spiral Five Dozen Scroll Saw Blade
The flying dutchman scroll saw blades are ideal for people who handle multiple or different kinds of projects, or their scroll saw blade requirements vary with each project.
This flying dutchman scroll saw blades 60-blade set comprises milled blades that are exceedingly sharp. They serve five different purposes. For instance, Polar #5 works great against Corian, bone, acrylic, and wood pieces.
Ultra Reverse #5 is a solid all-purpose blade. Besides being versatile, these blades are extremely durable.
Therefore, the need to replace one wouldn’t arise soon, unless if you use them day in and day out. The only thing about the New Spiral that perhaps could miff potential buyers is its price.
Though not the most expensive thing in the world, you will have to pay a slight premium for the product when compared to other blades on this list.
3. Olson Saw SP46500 Spiral Scroll Saw Blade
The Olson Saw SP46500 Spiral Scroll Saw Blade is a pack of blades that saw in multiple directions. In other words, they have 360-degree cutting capabilities.
The solid zero radius scroll means you would not have to turn the workpiece while work is in progress.
How quickly and well these blades do their job hinges on the number of teeth for every inch and material thickness.
Made from high carbon steel, these premium blades have been tempered and hardened to remain sharp for longer.
The Olson Saw SP46500 Spiral Scroll Saw Blade can be used to cut all kinds of materials, which include wood, wax, plastic, plaster, non-ferrous materials, horn, and bone.
These blades are great for bevel-cutting letters within names. They have increased throat capacity, which means you can cut longer pieces with zero turnings.
4. Bosch SS5-20 Pin End Scroll Saw Blade
Made of premium-grade steel, the Bosch SS5-20 is made to last long. They have been precision-sharpened so that intricate shapes could be cut easily.
Offered in a range of widths and TPIs, these best scroll saw blades are ideal for sewing all kinds of woods, non-ferrous metals, and plastics.
Not to mention, the SS5-20 is designed to be used by professional craftsmen who require long-lasting, sharp blades.
The package comprises four blades of the same size. The precision sharpening ensures consistent cutting regardless of which blade you use.
Also, installing these blades shouldn’t be an issue, thanks to the pin-end system employed.
5. Flying Dutchman Five Dozen Scroll Saw Blade
This pack by flying dutchman scroll saw blade. This best scroll saw blade is milled and made of high-quality hardened steel like pretty much every other pack of Dutchman Variety scroll saw blades.
The five different styles help you try the different blades out and compare them so that you could find out what serves your requirements the best.
The pack consists of a dozen of each variety: SR5, UR5, P5, PS5, and NS3. The UR-5 or the Ultra Reverse 5 is the most popular blade variety of the lot.
They come in a reusable, handy pouch so that you don’t lose them. Not to mention, the blade helps cut different materials, which include wood, bone, acrylic, and Corian.
6. Olson Saw FR49400 Skip Tooth Scroll Saw Blade
The Olson Saw FR49400 would be right in the alley of craftsmen who perform sensitive fretwork and constantly seek smooth finishing.
This pack of 36 blades offers extremely smooth cuts – probably the smoothest of them all.
This is thanks to its skip tooth shape or design that facilitates fast and efficient material-cutting. Also, you can be assured of a sand-free finish pretty much every time.
The Olson scroll saw blades come with wide cutting capacities: 3/32 to 2 inches. The two-inch blade helps quickly cut materials and could be used on any kind of fibrous material.
This Olson scroll saw blades also boast a varying range of teeth: 20 to 11.5 TPI. This ensures granular control in how the blade cuts or the amount that gets shaved off.
7. Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse Scroll Saw Blade
Another solid offering from Flying Dutchman, the Ultra Reverse is a pack of 72 scrolls saw blades that comprises five-inch long, pinless blades.
Made in Germany, these blades with their top-grade hardened steel blade construction scream quality.
They are milled, which means increased cutting abilities or smooth and quick cuts.
The third tooth on these blades has been reversed to ensure there is no splintering on the underside of a project.
These blades work with a range of scroll saws and are pretty solid for cutting through different wood materials.
If you want several blades in a pack and do not mind spending a bit more for the same, this blade pack by Flying Dutchman is truly worth considering.
8. Olson Saw FR49202 Reverse Tooth Scroll Saw Blade
The Olson FR49202 is a set of reverse tooth blades for your scroll saw. The pack comprises a dozen of three different blade variants: FR44302, FR44802, and FR44602.
The reverse teeth ensure a splinter-free, smooth finish both atop and beneath surfaces. The blades are ideal for doing away with tear-out on maple and birch plywood.
These blades are pretty much identical to the skip tooth fret blades in terms of performance.
The only difference or benefit is the set of reverse tooth. Not to mention, these are five-inch blades.
They shall, therefore, have no issues working with your existing scroll saws that can fit in only five-inch blades.
Conclusion
The aforementioned best scroll saw blade constituted our list for their durability, versatility, and precision. There is no perfect or right set of blades.
In other words, no particular scroll saw blade(s) would cater to all craftsmen the same way.
Therefore, important to learn what your specific requirements and budget are and find a set of scroll saw blades that fit well into those requirements.
Needless to mention, you are not going wrong with any of the blades mentioned above.
