best scroll saw in the UK

Best Scroll Saw in the UK — Top 3 in 2024 (Reviews & Buying Guide)

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Typically costing between £95 and £160, a scroll saw can deliver better results than a jigsaw without the bicep-busting strain of a coping saw or fretsaw.

Below, we review the best scroll saws in the UK and explain what to look for when comparing them.


Scroll Saw Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in 2024

These three products are on our shortlist for the title of the best scroll saw in the UK. Every product should be suitable for delicate trimming and detailing, and their costs range from less than £100 to just under £160. 

Remember, you can’t buy optional extras or upgrade a scroll saw, so ensure any purchase meets your needs at the outset:

Our Top Pick
1. VonHaus 405mm

1. VonHaus 405mm

  • Maximum cutting width of 405mm and depth of 50mm.
  • Variable cutting speeds from 550–1,600 and 1,650–4,800 RPM.
  • Includes a built-in flexible 12V LED work light.
  • Compatible with pinned and pinless blades.
  • Includes 2x 5” pinned blade (15 TPI), 1x 5” pinless blade (18 TPI) and unpinned blade adaptor.
  • The quick-change system adjusts the worktable angle from 0–45°.
  • Includes an inbuilt dust blower system and connects to any external dust extraction source, such as a wet & dry vacuum.

VonHaus’s contribution to our shortlist is a reassuringly solid piece of equipment, finished in a vivid shade of sunburst orange. The large 12V LED light above this saw distinguishes it from the others on our list.

Other notable features include the clear plastic guard around the blade arm, which takes pinned and pinless blades. Also, this saw’s inbuilt dust extraction system connects to a wet or dry vacuum. 

The VonHaus offers variable speeds, with an RPM range from 1,650 to 4,800 and a cutting rate between 550 and 1,600. Its cast aluminium worktable is adjustable to 45 degrees for bevel cuts and supports a maximum cutting width of 405mm. 

Unlike the Dremel, it can also slice through materials up to 50mm thick, making it a genuinely multipurpose scroll saw. The cast iron base can be pinned to a bench or table, helping eliminate movement.

The main drawback to the VonHaus is the lack of a foot pedal. Although the power button is next to the worktable, activating it involves removing one hand from whatever you’re cutting. This drawback can affect the neatness of finishes, especially when pausing to adjust a material before resuming work.

ProsCons
Reassuringly solidNo foot pedal
Versatile dust extraction systemLacks portability
Works with pinned and pinless bladesOff-switch tricky to reach mid-cut

Runner Up
2. Einhell TH-SS 405 E

2. Einhell TH-SS 405 E

  • Metal work table adjustable up to 45°
  • Quick-release clamp
  • Dust extraction port
  • Include one spare saw blade
  • Affixes directly to a workbench.
  • Blow-off-function provides a clear view of the workpiece
  • Works with T-shaft and coping saw blades

Resembling a minimalist turntable, Einhell’s scroll saw has a lot going for it on paper. Its 12.7kg weight is enough to prevent it from moving around in use but not enough to prevent portability. Its cutting depth of 52mm is marginally the best we tested, while its 1,600 strokes per minute maximum output match the VonHaus.

So why doesn’t the Einhell perform better? It’s a case of missed opportunities. The lack of a foot pedal is disappointing, while the power button is inconveniently situated right next to the power dial, so it would be easy to reach for one and knock the other. The dust extraction system is also less sophisticated than VonHaus’s wet and dry setup.

Users have expressed concerns about the 405 E’s build quality, with new items arriving damaged and faults arising even under light usage. Some also view the vibration from the 120W motor as worse than rival products, so we recommend clamping the Einhell before using it.

ProsCons
Best cutting depth on testConcerns over build quality
Impressive cutting speedNo foot pedal
Cheaper than the VonHausBasic dust extraction system

Best Budget Scroll Saw
3. Dremel Moto-Saw MS20

3. Dremel Moto-Saw MS20

  • Detachable coping function
  • Auto tensioning quick-change mechanism
  • Variable speed control
  • The fast clamp base attaches to various surfaces
  • Two-year warranty

On paper, the Dremel is a strange addition to our list. This portable and compact device is considerably cheaper than the other scroll saws on review. It’s also intended for use as a fret saw as much as a scroll saw. 

The blade arm resembles a record player rather than a heavy-duty piece of carving equipment, and the entire device weighs just 4.1kg. There’s no light or dust extraction system, either.

Perhaps the most significant black mark against the MS20 is that its cutting depth is only 18mm. That’s fine for wall decorations and cutting soft sheet metal, but it’s less than half the depth our other contenders offer. 

Yet if you can forgive its lightweight construction and limited cutting depth, the Dremel has several compelling advantages: First and foremost, it offers a foot pedal, enabling you to minutely adjust the position of objects you’re cutting with both hands. Indeed, you can use this saw in your hand rather than being bolted in place — hugely increasing its flexibility.

The fixed blade position ensures impeccable cuts, though at the expense of not setting the blade sideways, and the lightweight construction means the MS20 is portable. It also includes a decent carry case.

ProsCons
Lightweight and portableOnly cuts to 18mm
AffordableNo dust extraction system
It has a foot pedalMore suited to light crafts than heavy work

Best Scroll Saw — 2024 Comparison Table

ModelPedal?Vacuum?Tilts?Lightweight?Cut DepthRating
VonHaus 405mmNoYesYesYes50mm8
Einhell TH-SS 405 ENoYesYesNo52mm7
Dremel MS20YesNoNoNo18mm6

Scroll Saw Buying Guide

parts of a scroll saw

Below are the key features to look for when comparing the best scroll saws in the UK:


Blades

You can tension the blade using a manual dial to replace and insert new blades. Never over-tighten a blade; it needs a degree of elasticity to do its best work. Position the blade away from the machine’s arm, facing the operator. 

Ensure the shape you’re cutting is marked on the material. Don’t try to make a more extended cut in a single fluid motion unless you can always keep your hands clear.


Safety Features

Like any power tool, it’s critically important to approach a scroll saw carefully. The blade won’t move, but the machine could — some users report issues with devices creeping across worktops. Vibration issues were reported with some of our shortlisted products, so it’s best to clamp them in place.

Because you must push the material into the saw, always position your fingers at least two inches from the blade. Also, ensure the material doesn’t contain nails or other objects that might damage the blade or spoil the cut. 

Pro Tip: This guide lists essential scroll saw safety tips, from prepping your work area to operating the saw safely.


Tables

Basic scroll saws have fixed rectangular or circular tables, supporting a cutting depth of up to 50mm. More sophisticated models allow the table to tilt at 45 degrees for bevel cuts and fine detailing. 

The table angle adjustment may be ratcheted or infinitely adjustable, and it doesn’t require removing or reinstalling the blade. However, this relatively advanced scroll saw cutting requires practice to achieve effective three-dimensional results.


Dust Extraction and LED Lighting

Scroll saws are specialist tools used for precise cutting, so it’s vital to ensure the material you’re cutting is fully visible. Many scroll saws include air blowers or dust extraction systems that disperse freshly cut particles, allowing you to follow lines marked on the material’s surface. Some saws also offer LED lighting for the same reason. 

Safety guards help keep fingers and thumbs safe, usually comprising a Perspex housing on all sides of the blade.


Foot Pedal

Some scroll saws have a foot pedal switch, similar to those found on sewing machines. This switch allows you to kill the power while using two hands to hold the material, simplifying intricate cuts. Many of the best scroll saws in the UK offer this, and one of our shortlisted machines has a foot pedal. Remember that foot pedals create additional clutter when the device isn’t in use. 

A basic scroll saw will weigh 12kg and measure around 700x350x350mm. So this isn’t something you can store in a toolbox, especially if it’s battery-powered rather than mains-powered.


Final Thoughts

Ultimately, choosing the best scroll saw depends on your requirements.

If cost is the driving factor, you may have to live without niceties like dust extraction vacuums and lights. If a foot pedal is crucial, you may sacrifice other features or pay a little extra. All the saws in our comparison guide allow you to perform accurate and stylish cuts on wooden or soft metal materials.

The Dremel is uniquely portable, and you can use it as a fret or bench saw. It’s also cheap, coming in at less than £100, though it lacks the features found on more expensive models and can only cut to a depth of 18mm. However, the supplied carry case and 4kg weight make this a handy tool for people who work on-site, and we particularly like the inclusion of a foot pedal.

The Einhell and VonHaus seem comparable on paper, but the latter stood out under testing. Despite being more expensive, it offers features like a powerful LED light, which its competitors lack. It can also accept pinned or pinless blades, which is another advantage.

The Einhell is a good product in its own right if you clamp it down and tolerate its compact table and awkwardly positioned controls. It’s also cheaper than the VonHaus, which might swing the decision for some. The marginally superior cutting height is unlikely to be a deciding factor, but it’s still impressive.