Thread: Coping saws

After having my third coping saw fall apart, I made my own as a small bowsaw. That was 30 years ago, this is vers3.0 or 4, but even vers.1 was a better saw to use than any metal type I've tried: Bowsaw completed.jpg

I've had a 10 inch bowsaw in one form or other since about 1980, which I use a lot, so the coping saw version was based on that: Bowsaws finished.jpg

I have a small metal lathe, so making the brass parts is easy enough: Handle fitted.jpg

The fitting for the handle end is tapered so it holds its position when I need to cut with it not parallel with the frame. You don't need the flash brass bits, my first attempt used steel bolts for the fittings & it worked well. I'm very comfortable using small bowsaws after so many years, but I do remember there was a bit of a learning curve that had to be negotiated, but I wouldn't go back to the metal-framed type now, however good it was supposed to be..

The biggest problem with coping saws, imo, is the crap blades you get now. Someone, somewhere may make blades that come out of the packet sharp & ready to use, but I've yet to find them. When I need a new blade, I sharpen it before fitting it in the saw. It only takes a couple of minutes with a #4 needle file, and it makes a huge difference to the performance. I get a bit more life out of each one by giving them a touch-up as they dull - usually only one or two sharpenings at the most, because each sharpening takes off a bit of set, and you need lots of set on a turning saw. None of my sets will handle a coping saw blade.

Tbh, I rarely use the coping version nowadays, preferring the 10 inch, especially since I learned to make my own blades for it...

Cheers,

If you have a bit of a search on here or go direct to Derek Cohen's website - In The Woodshop - there's quite a bit of information on the Knew Concepts fret saws. Not sure if these will suit your purpose, but worth a look. They're pretty exxy though.

Originally Posted by riverbuilder

My original coping saw has died, and I’ve seen some nice ones on the internet, who recommends what? I want the best. Thanks.

Ian makes excellent tools, and his coping saw is a classic style. However, I suspect that you are referring to steel types.

There is a cheap-sh one made by Olson. It is decent and does the job ...



However, the one you may be thinking about is made by KnewConcepts - lots of extra features, which are more costly, but it is the best (there is a very good Blue Spruce, twice the price, which I have not used) ...



I replaced the handle with a longer one ...



This is sold in Oz by Lie Nielsen. If you are looking to saw dovetail waste, I recommend the 3" or 5" fretsaw instead: Knew Concepts Fret & Coping Saws

Regards from Munich

Derek