Scroll saw cutting an intricate wood pattern like on the Delta 40-695

Delta 40-695 Scroll Saw Review: Specs, Price and Verdict

The Delta 40-695 Scroll Saw is a 20-inch variable-speed scroll saw built for detailed woodworking cuts, closely related to the Delta 40-694 platform it shares parts with. Skip the right blade or table insert and even this saw struggles with thicker stock or long cutting sessions. This review covers real specs, compatible blades and accessories, pricing, and who this saw actually fits.

Delta 40-695 Scroll Saw: Features, Pros and Cons

The Delta 40-694/40-695 20-inch variable speed scroll saw is a versatile, well-built tool for woodworkers and hobbyists who cut detailed patterns, intarsia, and fretwork. Here’s what stands out once you get it on the bench.

Pros

  • Variable speed: Electronic speed control lets you slow down for tight curves and speed up for straight cuts.
  • Large table: The 20-inch throat gives ample room for larger patterns and panels.
  • Dust blower: A built-in dust blower keeps the cut line visible without stopping to clear sawdust by hand.
  • Tool-free blade changes: The clamp system swaps blades in seconds, useful when you’re switching tooth counts mid-project.
  • Quiet operation: The induction motor runs noticeably quieter than many direct-drive competitors.

Cons

  • Price: At $500+, this saw sits well above entry-level scroll saws.
  • No built-in light: You’ll want a clip-on work light for low-light cutting.
  • Weight: At roughly 60 lbs, it’s not a saw you move around the shop often.

Best Delta 40-695 Scroll Saw Pick

Delta 40-694 variable-speed scroll saw with WEN foot pedal switch
Delta 40-694 Scroll Saw & Foot Pedal

Delta 40-694 Variable-Speed Scroll Saw & Foot Pedal – $508.95

The same 20-inch, variable-speed platform this review covers, bundled with a WEN foot pedal so you can control speed hands-free while both hands stay on the workpiece.

  • Best for: woodworkers who want hands-free speed control on detailed cuts
  • Why we picked it: bundles the exact foot-pedal accessory this review’s setup uses
  • Main drawback: at $500+, it’s a serious investment tier, not an entry-level saw
View Our Pick on Amazon

Compare more Delta 40-695 scroll saw accessories

Delta 40-519 precision ground scroll saw blades 12-pack
Delta 40-519 Scroll Saw Blades

Option 1

Delta 40-519 Scroll Saw Blades – $12.13

  • Best for: replacing the stock blade for the clean, precise cuts this review credits to Delta’s own blade
  • Why we picked it: made by Delta specifically for its own scroll saw line, so fit is guaranteed
  • Main drawback: pin-end design only – won’t fit pinless scroll saws
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Big Horn 18413 table insert compatible with Delta-style saws
Big Horn 18413 Table Insert

Option 2

Big Horn 18413 Table Insert – $22.58

  • Best for: replacing a worn or chipped factory throat plate on Delta-style saws
  • Why we picked it: sized to match Delta’s own insert dimensions, so there’s no gap around the blade
  • Main drawback: double-check your exact model – Delta insert sizing varies across the lineup
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Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse pinless scroll saw blade variety pack
Flying Dutchman Pinless Blade Variety Pack

Option 3

Flying Dutchman Pinless Blade Variety Pack – $30.79

  • Best for: switching this saw over to fast, tool-free pinless blade changes
  • Why we picked it: five tooth counts in one pack, so you’re not guessing which blade suits a cut
  • Main drawback: only fits scroll saws set up for pinless blades, not the stock pin-end blade
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Delta 40-694/40-695 Full Specifications

Spec Value
Throat depth 20 in.
Stroke length 3/4 in.
Speed range 400-1,750 strokes per minute, electronic variable speed
Cutting capacity at 90° 2-1/8 in.
Table size 16 in. x 24 in.
Table tilt 0°-45°, left and right
Motor 1.3 amp induction motor
Weight ~60 lbs.

Choosing Blade Speed and Tooth Count

Most of what separates a clean cut from a splintered one on this saw comes down to matching speed and blade tooth count to the material, not the saw itself:

  • Thin plywood or veneer (under 1/4 in.): run near the top of the speed range with a fine-tooth blade (around #2 or #3) to reduce tear-out on delicate material.
  • Standard hardwood (1/2-3/4 in.): a mid-range speed with a #5 or #7 blade balances cut speed against control on tight pattern curves.
  • Thick stock or stacked cutting (over 1 in.): slow the speed down and use a coarser, wider blade so the teeth can clear sawdust from the deeper kerf without binding.
  • Metal or acrylic: use the slowest speed setting with a specialty blade rated for the material — running plastic too fast melts and re-fuses the kerf behind the blade.

Keep blade tension snug enough that a plucked blade gives a clear, high-pitched tone rather than a dull thud — under-tensioned blades wander off the line and are the most common cause of inaccurate cuts on any scroll saw, this one included.

Compatible Accessories and Alternatives

The stock blade and factory table insert both wear out with heavy use – the Delta 40-519 blades and Big Horn insert above are direct, Delta-fit replacements. If you’d rather switch to tool-free pinless blade changes, the Flying Dutchman variety pack above covers five tooth counts in one order. If a zero-clearance table saw insert is what you actually need instead of a scroll saw insert, see our zero-clearance insert guide.

Not sold on this specific model? We compared it against six other options in our full scroll saw roundup, including the Black+Decker Scroll Saw, the Craftsman 16-inch model, and Aldi’s budget alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions Of Delta 40-695 Scroll Saw Review

What Are The Features Of The Delta 40-694/40-695 Scroll Saw?

The Delta 40-694/40-695 has a 20-inch variable-speed design, electronic variable speed control, a tool-free blade clamp, and easy-access front controls. It also includes a flexible dust blower, a large worktable, and on-tool storage for blades and wrenches.

What Makes Delta 40-519 Blades Different From Generic Blades?

Delta 40-519 blades are precision ground and made specifically for Delta’s own scroll saw line, so fit is guaranteed. They’re pin-end blades, which won’t work in a pinless scroll saw.

Does The Delta 40-695 Use A Pin-End Or Pinless Blade?

Neither exclusively — the Delta 40-694/40-695’s tool-free clamp is built to accept both pin-end and plain-end (pinless) blades without extra hardware, which is why Delta’s own pin-end 40-519 blades are the direct factory-fit option and a pinless variety pack like the Flying Dutchman option above also works in the same clamp.

Conclusion

The Delta 40-695/40-694 scroll saw is a solid pick for woodworkers who need a 20-inch throat, variable speed control, and quiet operation for detailed pattern work. Its main tradeoffs are price and weight, not performance.

Once you own the saw, the parts that matter most are the blade and the table insert. Delta’s own 40-519 blades and a Delta-fit insert like the Big Horn 18413 keep the saw cutting cleanly, and a pinless blade variety pack gives you more tooth-count options without hunting down individual blades one at a time.

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