Scroll saw – base

I invested in a new scroll saw to allow me to make more intricate designs in my projects. As my workshop is still taking shape, I wanted to still be able to move the saw around easily. Time for a simple base I can clamp to a workbench!

I went for a Scheppach brand (not sponsored) scroll saw, following reading a load of different reviews and working out what was in my price range. I also like the integrated dust collection on the front, where I can easily plug in my shop vac hose.

The instructions actually came with a schematic of the scroll saw footprint, which I used to find a suitable offcut of white melamine coated chipboard. I seem to usually end up using chipboard for tool bases (Drill press, Dremel stand), mostly because I still have a lot of it about, but also because the melamine makes it really easy to slide about on workbenches and surfaces, particularly with heavier tools!

I decided to bolt the scroll saw to the base using nuts, bolts and washers. I wanted the bolts to come up from the base so I didn’t have to cut the bolts completely perfectly to size and could reuse them if I change the base at some point in future.

I used my new drill press setup with a Forstner bit to drill holes for the bolt heads and then drilled through holes the diameter of the bolts the full way through the base.

I fitted the bolts through the holes, with a washer on each side, and used my socket set to tighten the bolts up, working round the four bolts equally to ensure even pressure.

This was another very quick and easy solution and means I can securely clamp the scroll saw to any surface while using it, without struggling to fit clamps onto the small flared-out sections at the base. Now what shall I make with it first? 🔨