How To Use A Scroll Saw: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Home » What Is Scroll Saw Used For » How To Use A Scroll Saw: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Use a Scroll Saw PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Josh Goldenberg

Last Updated: January 16, 2026 Approved

PDF download Download Article
  • Setting Up the Scroll Saw
    • |
  • Cutting Out Your Project
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Josh Goldenberg. Josh Goldenberg is a Residential Remodeling Expert and the Co-Founder of 5blox, based in the Greater Los Angeles area. With more than seven years of experience, Josh and his team specialize in luxurious and sustainable home renovations. 5blox is fully licensed and bonded. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 157,453 times.

Scroll saws are used to cut intricate designs in wood and metal craft projects. Draw your design onto the material first, before putting on your safety gear and adjusting the settings on the machine. Start cutting out your design by testing the scroll saw on a piece of scrap wood, choosing the right speed, and carefully guiding your project through the blade. Make gifts for your friends and family to practice using different types of wood and new designs, and watch your scroll sawing confidence grow!

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Setting Up the Scroll Saw

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Draw your design or pattern onto the wood. 1 Draw your design or pattern onto the wood. Use a pencil to draw the outline of your design. Make sure that your pencil markings are easily visible on the wood. Add bridges within the pattern to create areas of positive and negative space.
    • Positive space is where the wood is still intact and negative space is where the wood has been removed.
    • The bridges are the positive spaces on the wood that connect the different parts.
    • Stick to a simple design if you are just beginning to use a scroll saw. For example, practice making a leaf or a flower first, with only a few areas of negative space.
    • There are many scroll saw patterns for beginners available online.
  2. Step 2 Wear safety goggles and other safety equipment. 2 Wear safety goggles and other safety equipment. Place your safety goggles over your eyes before you turn on the machine, and wear them for the whole duration that it is on. These will protect your eyes from any broken blades and from sawdust irritation.
    • Tie back your hair if it is long before you use the scroll saw.
    • You can also wear a dust mask if you prefer.
    • Make sure that you aren’t wearing baggy sleeves or long jewelry that could get caught in the blade.[1]
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Check that the scroll saw is secured correctly on your work surface. 3 Check that the scroll saw is secured correctly on your work surface. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your scroll saw to learn how to bolt, screw, or clamp the machine onto the surface. Follow all of the instructions fully.
  4. Step 4 Use a #2 or #3 blade for wood that's about 1⁄8 in (3.2 mm) thick. 4 Use a #2 or #3 blade for wood that's about 1⁄8 in (3.2 mm) thick. Thin wood requires a smaller blade. The lower the number of the blade, the smaller it is.
    • Smaller blades tend to cut through the wood more slowly. This also means that you have more control when you are using the scroll saw.
    • Intricate designs are more accurately cut with smaller blades.
  5. Step 5 Choose a #5 or a #7 blade for wood that is around 3⁄4 in (19 mm) thick. 5 Choose a #5 or a #7 blade for wood that is around 3⁄4 in (19 mm) thick. As the thickness of the wood increases, use a larger blade. The higher the number of the blade, the denser and thicker the wood it can cut through.
    • If you are going to be cutting more than 1 piece of wood, consider how thick the overall stack will be. Although the individual pieces of wood might be thin, you will need to use a larger blade.
  6. Step 6 Set the tension on the blade. 6 Set the tension on the blade. Once you have fitted the correct blade, adjust the tension according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply a moderate amount of pressure to the midpoint of the blade with your finger. A blade that has been set to the correct tension will not move more than ⅛" in (3 mm) in any direction.
    • The right tension of the blade is about finding the balance between having the blade tight enough so that it doesn’t cave and is accurate, but not so tight that it snaps.
    • You can also check the tension of the blade by plucking it like a guitar string. A blade that has the right tension will make a sharp ping noise.
    • Generally, the larger the blade the higher the tension it can withstand.
  7. Step 7 Turn the saw and the light on. 7 Turn the saw and the light on. Plug the saw into an electrical socket, and turn the power switch of the machine on. Make sure to also turn machine light on so that you can see what you’re doing while you use the scroll saw.
    • Some scroll saws don’t come with a light source. If this is the case, get a bright lamp and position it so that you can see the saw and your work fully. You can also purchase specialty lights that can be mounted directly onto a scroll saw.
    • If your machine has a dust blower, switch this on too. This will remove the dust from your work as you use the scroll saw so that you can see your design clearly.
    8. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Cutting Out Your Project

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Test the scroll saw by cutting a piece of scrap wood. 1 Test the scroll saw by cutting a piece of scrap wood. Use a piece of scrap wood that is either the same or very similar to what you are using for your project. Make a small cut to check that the size of the blade is right for the wood and that the tension feels correct.
    • Practicing on a piece of scrap wood first will also let you make sure that the lighting is sufficient.
  2. Step 2 Set the scroll saw to a slow speed if the material is thin. 2 Set the scroll saw to a slow speed if the material is thin. The thinner and denser the wood is that you will be cutting, the slower the speed needs to be Set the scroll to a very slow speed if you are unsure, as you can always adjust it as required.[2]
    • Stick to a slower speed if you are just beginning to use a scroll saw, as this will give you better control as you learn.[3]
  3. Step 3 Choose a faster speed if the wood is a softwood. 3 Choose a faster speed if the wood is a softwood. Softwoods such as maple require faster cutting speeds when using a scroll saw than harder types of wood. If you are just beginning to use a scroll saw, test out the different speeds on a piece of scrap wood first to make sure that you feel confident operating it at a higher speed.[4]
  4. Step 4 Guide the design through the blade using both hands. 4 Guide the design through the blade using both hands. Bring your project up to the blade, and aim it towards the first line that you need to cut. Press the wood down and forward to guide it into the blade. Adjust the wood as necessary for small turns using your forefingers and 1 thumb. Keep the other thumb out of the way of the blade as you guide the wood.
    • Keep an eye on your fingers and the blade at all times to make sure that the blade doesn’t get too close to your hands.[5]
    • Keep both hands on the wood at all times. Otherwise this might cause the scroll saw to jump and to make a jagged cut.
    • Stick to the speed of the machine. Never rush the wood through the machine faster than the speed that the blade is cutting, otherwise your fingers could slip or your design could be crooked.
  5. Step 5 Remove your project from the blade when you need to make a 90° turn. 5 Remove your project from the blade when you need to make a 90° turn. Once the blade reaches a turning point of 90° or larger, draw the wood back towards you to move the blade back through the line that has already been cut. Turn the wood around so that the blade is facing the adjacent line, and continue cutting and guiding your project past the blade.
    • You don’t need to worry about removing the wood and turning it if you are using a spiral blade. These can cut in all directions, so you simply just need to turn your project as necessary.[6]
  6. Step 6 Turn the scroll saw off and remove the blade when you are done. 6 Turn the scroll saw off and remove the blade when you are done. When you have finished cutting your project and you are happy with the final result, switch the scroll saw off using the power button or switch. Take the blade out of the saw and return it to the storage container.
    • If you aren’t going to be using the scroll saw again soon, detach it from the workbench and store it away.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How is the center cut out? Community Answer Community Answer A small hole is drilled, then the blade is removed and placed into the hole. Cut around it, then remove the blade once you're done. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 49
  • Question What are some health and safety tips when working with a scroll saw? Community Answer Community Answer Never put your fingers in direct line with the blade. Always hold the wood down tight. Never push the wood into the blade, only gently push the wood. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 29
  • Question How do I choose a blade for a particular job? Community Answer Community Answer It all depends on your project. The thinner the blade, the easier it will be to make tighter and quicker turns, which are good if you need to cut out small things. Thicker blades are the opposite. They make it difficult to make quick and tight turns, but they are good for cutting out thicker pieces of wood. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 22
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • Avoid cutting sharp turns continuously. Cut one angle and then cut another angle separately.[7] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Backing out of a cut and approaching it from another angle might be helpful when cutting fine turns or small details.[8] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Always be concentrated and never rush while using a scroll saw, as this can be dangerous.[9] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

  • Pencil
  • Wood
  • Safety goggles
  • Dust mask
  • Workbench
  • Scroll saw
  • Scroll saw blade
  • Lamp

You Might Also Like

Use a JigsawHow toUse a Jigsaw Cut Angles on a Table SawHow toCut Angles on a Table Saw Use a Circular SawHow to Safely and Properly Use a Circular Saw Saw Wood With a HandsawHow toSaw Wood With a Handsaw Use a Reciprocating SawHow toUse a Reciprocating Saw Cut Wood SlicesHow toCut Wood Slices Cut Wood Using Various Power ToolsAn Expert-Approved Guide to Cutting Wood with Power Tools Saw StraightHow toSaw Straight Carve Wood LettersHow to Carve Letters into Wood Make Wooden GearsHow toMake Wooden Gears Use a Wood LatheHow toUse a Wood Lathe Cut PlywoodHow toCut Plywood Cut MDFHow to Safely Cut Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) Cut Balsa WoodHow toCut Balsa Wood Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tools/power/scrollsaw-expert-advice
  2. ↑ https://houseandbeyond.org/how-to-use-a-scroll-saw/
  3. ↑ https://woodworkingtoolkit.com/scroll-saw-beginners/
  4. ↑ https://houseandbeyond.org/how-to-use-a-scroll-saw/
  5. ↑ https://woodworkingfuel.com/tips/use-tools/scroll-saw/
  6. ↑ http://www.fundamentalsofwoodworking.com/woodworking-resources/Woodworking-Articles/the-trick-to-cutting-detailed-scroll-saw-patterns
  7. ↑ Josh Goldenberg. Residential Remodeling Expert. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ Josh Goldenberg. Residential Remodeling Expert. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://woodworkingfuel.com/tips/use-tools/scroll-saw/

About This Article

Josh Goldenberg Co-authored by: Josh Goldenberg Residential Remodeling Expert This article was co-authored by Josh Goldenberg. Josh Goldenberg is a Residential Remodeling Expert and the Co-Founder of 5blox, based in the Greater Los Angeles area. With more than seven years of experience, Josh and his team specialize in luxurious and sustainable home renovations. 5blox is fully licensed and bonded. This article has been viewed 157,453 times. 34 votes - 89% Co-authors: 22 Updated: January 16, 2026 Views: 157,453 Categories: Manual and Power Saws Article SummaryX

To use a scroll saw, start by drawing your design or pattern on the wood's surface with a pencil. Next, bolt or clamp the saw to your work surface and fit the saw with a blade that best accommodates your project. For example, use a #2 or #3 blade for thin wood or especially intricate designs. Then, adjust the blade tension and speed. Finally, guide the design through the blade using both hands, following along the penciled cut lines you created. For tips on making 90 degree turns with your scroll saw, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Russian Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 157,453 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Thomas H.

    Thomas H.

    Oct 17, 2025

    "After reading your article, I learned the ins and outs of cutting a variety of woods."
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Josh Goldenberg Co-authored by: Josh Goldenberg Residential Remodeling Expert Co-authors: 22 Updated: January 16, 2026 Views: 157,453 89% of readers found this article helpful. 34 votes - 89% Click a star to add your vote Thomas H.

Thomas H.

Oct 17, 2025

"After reading your article, I learned the ins and outs of cutting a variety of woods." Bob Fergus

Bob Fergus

Jul 17, 2016

"Very nice." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Should I Draw QuizWhat Should I Draw QuizTake QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizTake QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizTake QuizWhat Instrument Should I Play QuizWhat Instrument Should I Play QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizAm I Smart QuizAm I Smart QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Use a JigsawHow toUse a JigsawCut Angles on a Table SawHow toCut Angles on a Table SawUse a Circular SawHow to Safely and Properly Use a Circular SawSaw Wood With a HandsawHow toSaw Wood With a Handsaw

Featured Articles

What 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanJuicy, Deep, & Hot-Seat Questions to Get to Know Your Friends BetterJuicy, Deep, & Hot-Seat Questions to Get to Know Your Friends Better40+ Talking Games to Play with Friends, Partners & More40+ Talking Games to Play with Friends, Partners & MoreMake FriendsHow toMake Friends

Trending Articles

What JJK Character Am I QuizWhat JJK Character Am I QuizWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizWhat Pokémon Am I QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouDo You Agree with These Hygiene Hot Takes?Do You Agree with These Hygiene Hot Takes?

Featured Articles

The Different Types of People You Can Find in a Friend GroupThe Different Types of People You Can Find in a Friend GroupAn Introduction to Kibbe Body Types (with Styling Tips!)An Introduction to Kibbe Body Types (with Styling Tips!)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?From Alpha to Omega: A Guide to the 7 Male PersonalitiesFrom Alpha to Omega: A Guide to the 7 Male Personalities

Featured Articles

7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in Minutes7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in Minutes Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for BeginnersHow to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for BeginnersHypnotize SomeoneHow toHypnotize SomeoneThe Easiest Guinness World Records to Break: Which Will You Try?The Easiest Guinness World Records to Break: Which Will You Try? Solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 MovesHow to Solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 MovesWhistle with Two FingersHow toWhistle with Two Fingers

Watch Articles

Grow Out Your BangsHow toGrow Out Your BangsDress PunkHow toDress PunkEnd a Long Distance RelationshipHow toEnd a Long Distance RelationshipDo E Girl EyelinerHow toDo E Girl EyelinerRespond to the Fire EmojiHow toRespond to the Fire Emoji Stop Your Glasses from Making Your Eyes Look SmallHow to Stop Your Glasses from Making Your Eyes Look Small

Trending Articles

Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Introvert or Extrovert QuizIntrovert or Extrovert QuizWhat Color Am I QuizWhat Color Am I Quiz24 Different Types of Bras Explained24 Different Types of Bras ExplainedWhat Is My Animagus Form?What Is My Animagus Form?Can Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?Can Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?

Quizzes & Games

What Kind of Minecraft Player Am I QuizWhat Kind of Minecraft Player Am I QuizTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizCognitive TestCognitive TestTake QuizWhat Age Is My Brain QuizWhat Age Is My Brain QuizTake QuizWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Home and Garden
  • Tools
  • Cutting Tools
  • Manual and Power Saws
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --568

Tag » What Is Scroll Saw Used For