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scroll saw

scroll saw

2 7.3
A small electric saw with a thin blade for cutting detailed curves in wood or thin materials
  • noun
  • /skroʊl sɔː/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sierra de calar
  • A scroll saw may be used to make all external and internal cuts on the base material.
  • a power scroll saw

Examples

  • In my barn, we have a table saw, a circular saw, a miter saw, a scroll saw, a jig saw, a planer, a reciprocating saw, sanders in every shape and size, a band saw, and more drills than you can shake a stick at.

    Blog text (2)
  • Then I'm going to go to the scroll saw and cut them out.

  • A hack saw, a handheld wood saw, a reciprocating jigsaw, a scroll saw, band saw, right?

  • How would we move two hundred intermediate students through a technology lab consisting of two drill presses, three scroll saws, and a band saw?

    Academic text (2012)
  • A similar jig can be made for a jigsaw or scroll saw, but it will be harder to set it up without a miter slot.

    Blog text (10)
  • I bought the best plywood, got a new scroll saw blade, and set to work -- after two failed attempts -- all those thin curlicue areas were way too hard to cut...

    Blog text (2)
  • With the scroll saw, I can create detailed designs that would be impossible with a regular saw.

  • He expertly maneuvered the scroll saw to cut intricate patterns out of the wood.

  • The workshop was filled with the sound of the scroll saw as she crafted beautiful wooden ornaments.

Synonyms

saw
vsscroll saw
54 1.0

A tool with a thin toothed blade used to cut wood or other materials

is a powered precision tool designed for extremely fine curved cutting
jigsaw
vsscroll saw
  • Specialized
3 4.9

A small electric saw with a thin blade for cutting curves and detailed shapes in wood

is a stationary machine aimed at very fine intricate curve cutting
power saw
vsscroll saw
3 3.2

A machine with a blade that has teeth and cuts wood or other materials

is a specialist with a very fine narrow blade for delicate curved cuts
band saw
vsscroll saw
  • Specialized
2 3.7

A machine with a long thin metal band with teeth that cuts wood or other materials

is focused on very short narrow blade work for intricate internal curves
saber saw
vsscroll saw
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A handheld power tool that cuts wood and other materials with a blade that moves back and forth

is steadier and uses a fixed narrow blade for delicate curved work
coping saw
vsscroll saw
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A small hand saw with a thin blade in a U-shaped frame for cutting curves in wood

is powered and holds a tighter blade for more delicate internal cuts
keyhole saw
vsscroll saw
  • US
1 6.8

A small hand tool with a long narrow blade for cutting tight curves and holes in wood or drywall

is a powered tool supplying steadier control for internal intricate shapes
fretsaw
vsscroll saw
  • Specialized
8.8

A hand tool with a thin blade for cutting small curved shapes in wood

is powered and steadier for finer internal curve work
compass saw
vsscroll saw
  • Specialized
7.9

A small tool with a long, narrow, pointed blade for cutting tight curves in wood

is for more precise fine curve cutting with a held narrow blade

How Fine

scroll saw
  • Specialized
2 7.3
jigsaw
  • Specialized
3 4.9
power saw
3 3.2
handsaw
3 2.3
ax
  • US
129 1.0

Surface Forms

scroll saw singular
scroll saws plural

Morphology

scroll + saw

The compound is compositionally built from 'saw' (a cutting tool) and 'scroll' as a modifier indicating scroll-like or intricately curved shapes, so the overall sense 'a saw for cutting detailed/curved shapes' can be inferred from the parts. This follows a common English pattern (tool named by its purpose or target), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings would generally be able to understand the MWE's basic meaning, even if the precise technical details (fine blade, power type) remain specialized.

Etymology

Scroll saw comes from scroll, a word for a rolled or curled decorative shape people cut in wood, and saw, the tool that cuts it. Because this saw has a very thin blade, it can make those tight, 'curled' patterns, so the name now means a saw for cutting small, detailed curves.