Discover the utility of a coping saw and understand why it's indispensable for your home improvement tool collection.
The coping saw is a versatile tool that has found its place in both site install kits and furniture shops, as well as in the hands of DIY enthusiasts. This bow saw offers more control due to its narrow blade, excelling in cutting shapes and curves in decorative features.
A coping saw is best used in woodworking for cutting intricate curved or rounded shapes, such as fitting wooden flooring around door frames, shaping door jambs, architraves, and ornate moldings. It is also frequently used for scribing skirting boards where one piece must fit neatly against another at uneven corners.
Beyond woodworking, a coping saw with an appropriate high TPI (teeth per inch) blade can cut thin metals like aluminum, tin, and copper, and plastics such as PVC plumbing pipes. It excels at cutting small, complex shapes and curves rather than long straight cuts.
A coping saw set includes a wooden-handled, steel-framed coping saw and a ten pack of hardened steel blades suitable for most coping saws. The handle is used to tighten the blade and create tension for the job. The coping saw derives its name from a carpentry technique called the cope, which is used to shape the end of wood so it fits neatly into the contours of the wood it is being joined to.
The coping saw has a U-shaped metal frame, a wooden handle, and a narrow blade held in place by pins. A quality everyday coping saw features a lacquered wooden handle, nickel-plated frame, and a 14 TPI hardened and tempered carbon steel blade.
For those working on restoration projects, a coping saw can adapt trim to uneven plaster or out-of-plumb framing, helping to preserve historic character. In tight spaces where a powered blade would damage surrounding surfaces, a coping saw excels for selective removal between studs or in tight cavities.
When cutting from the centre of the material or away from the edge, a pilot hole needs to be drilled first. A mixed set of coping saw blades includes three sets of six and half inch pin end coping saw blades, with two six packs of 18TPI blades and one six pack of 15TPI blades. Coping saw blades come in a variety of sizes, with TPI ranging from 5 to 24. A 5 TPI blade provides a quicker, more aggressive cut, while a 24 TPI blade is slower and more precise. A 24 TPI coping saw is ideal for cutting curves and intricate shapes with a smooth finish.
To use a coping saw, install a blade that matches the material being cut, adjust the tension, and set the angle. Don't overtighten the blade; precise tensioning keeps the blade from chattering. With its versatility and precision, the coping saw is an essential tool for any DIY enthusiast or professional woodworker's toolkit.
References: 1. https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-techniques/car-painting-and-finishing/coping-saw-basics 2. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bahco-10-Piece-Coping-Saw-Blade-Set-100009700/205843462 3. https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking/techniques/coping-saw-techniques/
- When working on home restoration projects, a coping saw can help adapt trim to uneven plaster or out-of-plumb framing to preserve historic character.
- For home-and-garden enthusiasts, a coping saw is an essential tool for cutting intricate curved or rounded shapes in various materials such as wood, thin metals, and plastics.
- A coping saw set, including a wooden-handled, steel-framed coping saw and a ten pack of hardened steel blades, is a versatile tool for DIY enthusiasts and professional woodworkers.
- In the kitchen or bathroom of a home, a coping saw can efficiently cut and shape moldings around sinks, tubs, and countertops for a seamless finish.
- For precise cutting of curves and intricate shapes with a smooth finish, a 24 TPI coping saw is an ideal choice for any home-and-garden project or woodworking endeavor.
