WEN 3921 - Is It a Good Entry Level Saw?

If you discovered the wonderful world of scroll sawing and want to try it out for yourself, you may want to dip your toe into the hobby without spending a lot of money.  With so many options ranging from entry-level saws around $120, to mid-level saws around $400, to the more expensive models running $1000+.  The WEN 3921 saw seems very appealing at only $120.  But is it a good starter saw?  Let’s take a closer look.

Pros

• Good value - The most appealing part is the affordable price point ($120)
• Small footprint - It doesn’t take up much space and is easy to store.
• Easy access to on/off switch - Located up front, it is easy to flip on and off the saw between cuts.
• Variable speed control - Adjustable knob up front to control the speed of the saw.
• Tilting bed - This option allows you to cut at compound angles.  This is useful if you want to do inlay work or make scroll-sawn bowls.
• Sideways cutting - You can flip pin-ended blades 90 degrees so the saw cuts from the side.  That way the back of the scroll arm doesn’t get in the way of long rip cuts.  The only advantage could be if you don’t have any other saws in the workshop that can cut or rip down larger materials.  Otherwise, this feature probably wouldn’t add a whole lot of value to hobbyists.
• Adjustable LED light - The extra light is nice, especially since you can aim it to where you're cutting.  However, the saw vibration does cause the light to shake, causing a distracting stropelike effect.

Cons

• Blade changing -  This can be frustrating when using pinless blades.  Hobbyists typically prefer pinless blades over pinned ones, as pinless blades provide better-quality cuts and greater flexibility.
  • The WEN 3921 includes two options for using pinless blades.  The first set are adapters that hang on the existing hooks.  The second set will permanently change your saw from a pinned blade setup to a pinless one.  Unfortunately, there are little to no instructions on installing the permanent kit and you must rely on YouTube videos.
  • Steve Good has two really good videos demonstrating both kinds of pinless blade adapters:
    • Using the hanging pinless blade adapters (at the 8:01 mark)
    • Permanent pinless adapter (recommended). 
• Vibration - This saw does have a fair amount of vibration, which makes it difficult to get precise cuts. Excessive vibration can make it hard to achieve accurate entry points, especially when working on fine fretwork. Adjusting the saw speed can help reduce vibration, and securing the saw to a sturdy workbench or table should also improve stability.
• Air blower - The function of an air blower is to blow sawdust away from your cut.  This allows you to see your cut better as you follow the line.  This air blower is a bit fiddly without a lot of adjustments.  It’s simply a hose that you point in the general direction, without the ability to precisely direct the airflow.

Conclusion

Overall, the WEN 3921 is good for what it is.  It is an inexpensive scroll saw that can get you started in the hobby.  It lacks many of the niceties that higher-quality scroll saws provide, such as smoother operation, less vibration, and ease of blade changing/threading.  The build quality isn't ideal, so it might not be a good choice if you're planning on production cutting.  But it should be sufficient to get started making some fun projects for friends and family.   

With that said, I started off with an inexpensive Craftsman scroll saw and used it for years before upgrading.  So you still can do some very nice projects. However, your quality of life and enjoyment of the hobby will be much greater if you can justify spending a little more money for a mid-level saw or higher.    

Consider A Better Saw

Woodworkers often say “buy the best tool you can afford.”  That may be an inexpensive scroll saw from Harbor Freight, or the WEN 3921.  The problem with these is that it may cause undue frustration and you have less control, which may turn you off to this wonderful hobby.  If you can swing it, think about a mid-level scroll saw such as the DeWalt or the Delta.  Many hobbyists really like the DeWalt.

These mid-level scroll saws take care of many of the shortcomings of the inexpensive scroll saws, making it a much less frustrating experience.  Blade changing will go much smoother (you’ll be changing and threading the blade into interior cuts a lot).  And, you’ll get much less vibration, making detailed cuts much easier.  You’ll be much happier with your experience and outcomes.

There is a good chance that you'll want to want to upgrade your saw pretty quickly.  So the $120 you spent on the entry-level saw could instead be invested into a better quality saw that gives you a much better experience and results.

Shop For Used

Buying new might is not your only option.  You can find a lot of used scroll saws on the secondary market, often with very few hours on them.  A little patience will pay off if you keep an eye out on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.  You should be able to find a nice scroll saw for a very reasonable price.  Sometimes they'll even throw in a few blades and accessories!
 

• Steve Good has a very nice overview of the WEN 3921 that is worth watching.
• Here are the specs, manuals, and member reviews for the WEN3921.
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts has an article about the WEN 3921 in Issue 84 - Fall 2021

Do you own the WEN 3921?  Share your experiences in the comments below!