Coping Saw Facts: Learn All About This Confusing Cutting Tool

The coping saw is one of the handiest tools you can have.

It is one of the most common tools carried by carpenters, and artists of other vocations.

It makes for the fact that the coping saw is one of the most essential tools in the history of the world.

What is a coping saw?

A coping saw is a vital tool made for cutting through different pieces of material.

The coping saw essentially has a sharp blade that is held between a metal frame. The metal frame is generally bent in U-shaped curves. The frame, while usually made of metal, can also be made by using different materials such as wood.

Fitting a coping saw blade is an interesting process that allows for a new blade to fit into the frame of the saw.

The coping saw blade is 5.9 in (15 cm) in length and is fit into the metal or wood frame by using pins that are provided on both edges of the blades to make a perfect fit between the U-shaped frame.

You need to push the pins on the blade, once it fits into the grooves on the frame, the pins will push back and fit into the frame.

The pins hold the blades between the curves of the frame.

We must remember to be careful while fitting the thin blade between the coping saw, as this thin blade has sharp teeth on one side of the blade. Remember that the teeth of the blade must face the outside of the coping saw, meaning that it does not face the thick materials of the frame.

Pins of the coping saw must face the handle.

If this is not the case, the precise cuts that the tooth count for are not observed. It becomes seemingly impossible to use the coping saw for cutting when the teeth of the blade face the direction opposite to the handle.

While we have discussed how the tight curves of the frame hold the blades of the coping saw, safety tips are important when using coping saws.

A good blade will allow you to cut shapes any way you want, but just one piece of a dull blade brings many drawbacks.

Firstly, cutting with a dull blade is opposite to why coping saws are used in the first place, meaning to make the process of cutting shapes in materials like wood. It makes the entire process much more difficult, and there is a higher chance of the material being cut by the blade of a coping saw will be damaged.

Additionally, cutting using coping saws that have a dull blade, not only damages material such as wood, but you also risk hurting your fingers.

Similar to how blades such as knives must be maintained to keep the blade sharp, you must also maintain the blade of a coping saw.

How was the coping saw invented?

The history of the coping saw is an interesting story of how a thin blade was used to cut different shapes.

Coping saws that we find in hardware stores are a more modern rendition of a basic tool that was used to cut through different pieces of material. Saws have been a part of toolsets for a very long time.

There has been evidence of the saw being used by the Romans, and it is most likely they who came up with the frame that is used in modern coping saws.

Saws that we see in use today did not come into the picture until the 16th century. The coping saw that is used today had its beginnings here.

The saw that was designed exhibited features that are used even today, such as the teeth bent at an angle on the blade.

At the time, jewelers and cabinet makers would use the coping saw to make intricate interior cuts to ply their trade. The blade would cut through different materials, not only limited to wood, but brass and other semi-precious metals would also cut through easily with the blade.

The name coping saw was finally adopted somewhere in the 20th century. By this time, the saw was widely used, and interestingly, using the saw would be taught in some schools as part of basic tool training.

The coping saw is argued to be a descendent of the marquetry saw, this saw which was built and used in the 16th century. The similarities are obvious, with each saw having a thin blade that is held in the middle by a frame of either wood or metal.

The reason that the coping saw is called a coping saw is due to the fact that it is primarily used to create coped joints. These coped joints each have two strips of molding and by cutting through the saw, fitted joints are created.

Uses Of A Coping Saw

The uses of a coping saw are varied. Here are some of them!

Previously, the coping saw was used for any intricate cut that had to be made. At the time, bow saws that were being used were not enough for the cuts that would need to be made.

The coping saw would be used by cabinetmakers and jewelers. They would make use of the coping saw in order to create different shapes for tortoise shells, brass, and other semi-precious materials. It was used as an alternative to the fret saw, which was also used to cut materials by jewelers.

The coping saw essentially lets you cope with your woodworking challenges! It is a human-powered tool that allows carpenters to work with different pieces of wood, and make an interior cut on thin wood. The saw allows turning cuts to be made on the wood, and cutting it in different shapes is made possible.

Advantages Of A Coping Saw

The coping saw comes with an array of advantages that make it the perfect tool for cutting through different materials.

The primary reason that makes the coping saw a great tool is the cost-benefit that it brings. Unless you have a high-powered electric saw, which is more convenient to use but quite expensive, having a coping saw is easier.

It is cost-efficient, and you can store it easily. Additionally, while one can use the jigsaw, the coping saw gives a greater degree of control over the cut that is made.

Secondly, one of the most fascinating features makes for the benefit of using this saw. One end of the blade is detachable, and it is how the saw is used.

This allows it to be placed in a hole, and this hole is the beginning of the different cuts that are made. These cuts include turning cuts, as well as wavy cuts that are much easier with this saw.