Pin End Blades vs. Plain End Blades
There are two main types of blades for a scroll saw: pin end blades and standard plain end blades.
Pin end blades have a small pin at the end that fits into a hole in the scroll saw's blade clamp. This type of blade is more secure and less likely to fall out, making it a good choice for beginners.
Standard blades, on the other hand, have no pins and are simply held in place by tension. They can be more difficult to change, but they offer more flexibility in terms of blade selection.
The best type of blade for you will depend on your level of experience and the type of project you're working on.
Sizes and Styles of Scroll Saw Blades
Scroll saw blades come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different projects. Typically, they have between 15 and 20 teeth per inch, with more teeth providing a finer cut. The teeth may be arranged in a straight line or in a spiral pattern.
Some blades may be designed for specific materials, such as wood or metal. When choosing a scroll saw blade, it is important to consider the thickness of the material and the desired level of detail in the finished product. With the right blade, even the most intricate designs can be achieved with ease.
Scroll saw blades come in a wide variety of tooth configurations, each designed for a specific type of cutting.
The most common blades are skip tooth blades which have a tooth and then a space between the teeth and another tooth on the cutting edge. These blades cut well and are great for basic cuts.
Regular tooth blades feature a series of teeth in a row. They work well for small projects and even metals.
Double Tooth blades offer a smooth cut. They have two teeth then a space and another set of two teeth.
Crown tooth blades are our choice for cutting plastics and the smaller blades work great for really intricate cuts. The teeth pattern features a tooth facing up and one facing down with the pattern repeating along the blade edge.
Spiraled blades are all the rage if you like cutting from any side of the blade. They are perfect for large projects where turning around the scroll saw is an issue. They do take a little bit to get used to.
Precision ground blades are a large step up from the stamped blades. They feature a reverse tooth or double reverse tooth configuration and are great for dense wood. You'll find the ground tooth blades to be sharper, last longer, and cut faster than regular blades.
As a general rule of thumb, blade sizes are universal. The smallest size for woodworking is #3/0 but can range as small as 8/0 for projects like jewelry work. As sizes increase teeth get larger and are typically spaced farther apart. Scroll saw blade sizes go up to a #20 which is a pretty thick blade.