Coping Saws
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About Coping Saws
A coping saw is a precision hand tool essential for making intricate curved cuts, detailed patterns and internal cut-outs in wood and other materials. Featuring a thin, tensioned blade held in a distinctive C-shaped frame, the coping saw offers exceptional manoeuvrability for detailed joinery work and woodworking projects. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks quality coping saws from trusted brands including Bahco, Draper, Faithfull and Stanley FatMax, ensuring professional tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts can find the right tool for their requirements.
The unique design allows the blade to rotate independently of the handle, enabling users to navigate tight curves and complex patterns with ease. The blade can be detached and threaded through a pilot hole for internal cuts without cutting from the edge. Whether you're scribing skirting boards, cutting dovetails, creating decorative fretwork or removing waste material from joints, a quality coping saw is an indispensable addition to your toolkit.
Applications
Coping saws are relied upon across various trades and applications:
- Joiners and Carpenters: Scribing skirting boards, architraves and mouldings, cutting dovetail joints and creating precise internal profiles in timber joinery
- Cabinet Makers: Intricate curved work, removing waste from joints and creating decorative details in bespoke furniture
- Luthiers: Shaping sound holes, cutting decorative inlays and working with curved components in musical instruments
- Model Makers: Precision cutting of wood, plastic and other materials for detailed scale models and architectural work
- Shop Fitters: On-site trimming and fitting of display elements where power tools may be impractical
- DIY Enthusiasts: Home improvement projects, craft work and creative woodworking requiring detailed curved cuts
Choosing The Right Coping Saws
When selecting a coping saw from MyToolShed.co.uk, consider these key factors:
Frame Quality: Look for robust steel frames with minimal flex. Higher-quality models from Bahco and Stanley FatMax offer superior rigidity for improved cutting accuracy and reduced blade deflection. Corrosion-resistant finishes are important for UK workshop environments.
Handle Design: Wooden handles provide traditional grip and comfort, whilst modern composite handles reduce hand fatigue during extended use. Choose a handle that feels balanced and secure even when dusty or damp.
Throat Depth: Standard coping saws offer 125-165mm throat depth, suitable for most joinery applications. Consider your typical workpiece sizes when choosing.
Blade Tensioning: Quality saws provide reliable tensioning mechanisms. Some feature quick-release systems, whilst professional-grade options offer finer adjustment for optimal blade performance across different materials.
Blade Compatibility: Verify replacement blades are readily available. Most UK-market coping saws use standardised pin-end blades compatible with our Coping Saw Blades range.
Safety Information
Always wear safety glasses to protect against sawdust and fragments. Secure workpieces firmly using a vice, clamps or bench hook—never hold small pieces by hand whilst cutting. Ensure blades are installed with teeth pointing towards the handle and properly tensioned before use. Inspect blades for damage before each session and replace worn or damaged blades immediately. Use smooth, controlled strokes with moderate pressure, allowing the blade to cut naturally without forcing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a coping saw and a fret saw?
A coping saw has a deeper frame (125-165mm), thicker blade and coarser teeth, making it more suitable for general joinery and thicker materials. Fret saws have shallower frames with much finer blades for extremely intricate work. For typical carpentry tasks like scribing skirting or cutting dovetails, a coping saw is the practical choice.
Can I use a coping saw to cut metal or plastic?
Yes, coping saws can cut materials beyond wood including plastics and soft metals like aluminium when fitted with appropriate blades. For metal, use an 18-24 TPI blade designed for metal cutting. For plastic, a 14-18 TPI blade works well. Harder materials will dull blades more quickly, so keep spares on hand.
Which direction should the teeth face?
Coping saw teeth should point towards the handle, so cutting occurs on the pull stroke. This configuration provides better control and visibility of the cutting line. Always check tooth direction before tensioning—installing backwards will make cutting impossible and damage the blade.