A coping saw has a steel frame and a narrow, flexible blade that can be rotated at any angle
to cut small curves in wood. The blade, which generally is about 6 inches long and has 12 to
18 teeth per inch (tpi), is pulled taut by turning the handle of the frame.
Using a Coping Saw
Hold the handle of the saw with one hand and the far side of the frame with the other. Start
the cut on the waste side of the cutting line. Keeping the blade square to the work, make
slow, steady strokes. If the frame interferes with the edge of the board, loosen the
handle and change the angle of the blade.
To make an inside cut, drill a starting hole and slip the blade through it before
attaching it to the saw frame. When making intricate, tightly curved cuts, use short
cutting strokes with the portion of the blade closest to the handle. To support thin
stock while cutting, use a flat board with a deep, V-shaped notch. Position the notch
under the area you are cutting.
To change the blade, hold the blade holder with one hand to keep the blade from twisting,
and turn the handle counterclockwise to loosen the blade. Then press the end of the frame
opposite the handle against a solid surface and lift out the blade. Install the new blade
facing in either direction; it is a matter of personal preference whether cutting is on
the push or the pull stroke. Turn the handle clockwise to tighten the blade.
Purchasing
A standard coping saw has a 6-3/4-inch-long frame (to hold 6-inch-long blades) with a
4-3/4-inch deep throat. Avoid bargain-priced coping saws - their frames are not rigid
enough to ensure precise cutting.
Other Names
Scribing saw
Substitutes
An alternative to the coping saw is a fretsaw. This is a deep-throated coping saw for
making cuts farther from the edge of stock than is possible with a normal coping saw.
Fitted with a fine-toothed blade (28 to 32 teeth per inch (tpi)), the saw can cut
intricate curves. The standard fretsaw accepts a 5- or 6-inch blade and has a 10- to
12-inch-deep frame.
Another alternative to the coping saw is a powered saber saw.
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Brought to you by Book of Skills and Tools and New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual
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