My new coping saw

**Denim** · 9th May 2011, 11:08 PM

Since seeing IanW's mini turning/coping bow saw in action I have been wanting to make a version for myself. I acquired an old hand made bow saw recently which I found didn't really work too well. The blade was a bit cruddy, and the handles were put together with whatever the maker could find. The perfect candidate!

So, I cut down the cross bar to the appropriate size, cut a new tenon, thinned down the width of the pieces and attempted to cut a slot in the handles so I could fit a coping saw blade. The handles didn't like me fiddling with them and one promptly snapped after a little tension.

Inexperienced in handle making and lacking a metal lathe I dug out two old Eclipse coping saws and dismantled them for the handles. I drilled two larger holes in the stock, added a couple of washers, attached a blade and gave it a try. Wow, what a difference from the Eclipse saw I was using. I cut a dozen holes in a scrap of pine before pulling it apart for finishing. I also cut down one of the handles as I didn't see the point in two long handles.

Thanks for looking!

Denim.

**IanW** · 10th May 2011, 08:58 AM

Well done, and an excellent bit of ingenious recycling. I don't know whether it's just because we made them, or if it's real, but they feel sooo much better to use than the cheap metal-framed things, don't they?

You have lots of clearance between blade & bar. I'd be interested in giving it a test drive one of these days. When I made my first saw for coping blades, I just guesssed at the lengths of the end pieces - didn't want to have it too long & make the balance awkward, so I went with about the same as a regular coping saw. However, I've often thought it could have been deeper, which would be useful on some jobs.

Next time you need some ends, come over for a shed visit - takes about 10 minutes a side to whip up the necessary parts...

Cheers,

**Denim** · 10th May 2011, 04:15 PM

It could be a trick of the mind but I do feel like I have far more control compared to the Eclipse saw. I might put one of the Eclipse saws back together to compare.

I was also worried about the balance hence the reason for thinning down the stock. I tapered the saw (thick for the bottom and thin on the top) as I though this would give more balance when taking the clearance etc into consideration.

Happy to drop around and compare notes some time. I'd love to pick your brains about a few other things. Maybe the next time you're planning to put a saw together?

Regards,

Denim

**IanW** · 10th May 2011, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Denim

........ Maybe the next time you're planning to put a saw together?

Well, there's a slight problem there, old chap. I don't PLAN the darn things, they just seem to happen! A nice bit of handle wood, or something I read here, & off I go & give it a burl. In fact, this very afternoon I was putting some stuff away from making yet another saw, and ended up making another!
I'm about to post a pic of it on the thread I started about saw sets:

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/s...w-sets-134949/

Cheers,

**Denim** · 10th May 2011, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by IanW

I don't PLAN the darn things, they just seem to happen!

haha... Yeah I thought that might be the case.

Denim.

**IanW** · 11th May 2011, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Denim

haha... Yeah I thought that might be the case.

Denim.

Denimn, I forgot the punch-line in my post, which is: "So you are welcome to drop by any time - chances are a saw could be under construction!"

Cheers,

**Andy Mac** · 11th May 2011, 10:36 AM

Nice work Denim, I especially like the idea of you grafting those saws together.

I made one a while back and reckon the deeper throat yours has is the way to go... next time!

Cheers

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