In my woodworking and some carpentry projects, I almost always find that I’d like to go extra. Even you have to admit it that sans the elaborate cuts, detailed patterns, or perhaps that much-needed precision, these projects might not have those exciting results – well, not without the best coping saws, anyway.
All these outcomes, while gratifying once achieved, can also quickly go down the drain if one’s coping saw isn’t equipped with the right features. As it goes, one must know how to pick the best one. But just how do you do that?
Worry no more as this post would exactly tell you how. Apart from my traditional, personally handpicked, and the most sought-after products on the market now, you’ll also be acquainted with probably the most essential guide to selecting the best one of the bunch. Let’s get started.
Top 5 Coping Saw In The Market
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
Overall Best  | Olson Saw SF63510 Coping Saw
| Check Price |
Best Value  | Stanley 15-104 Fatmax Coping Saw
| Check Price |
 | Eclipse 70-FS1R Wood Handle Coping Saw
| Check Price |
Best Uses  | BAHCO 301 6/12 Inch Coping Saw
| Check Price |
 | Robert Larson 540-2000 Coping Saw
| Check Price |
What is Coping saw?
A coping saw is a small, fine-toothed type of hand saw that uses a pinned blade. They are used to cut intricate shapes which cannot be done using other cutting tools such as standard woodworking handsaws or rotary cutters. The coping saw is a type of bow saw that derives its name from the action of cutting, or “coping”. The blades are very thin and fine. The blades can also be replaceable, unlike scroll saw blades that typically just have a screwdriver slot for tightening them onto the blade holders of their respective tool.
Coping saws are usually used for cutting fine, intricate shapes in a variety of materials. It is a carbide-toothed hand saw that is commonly used by woodworkers working in carpentry and other woodworking trades. The blades of the coping saw are thin and either pinned or plain-edged, normally with a low tooth count ranging from 16 to 32 teeth per inch. It is not designed to cut thick pieces of wood nor long lengths of timber.
Coping Saw vs. Power Saw
The coping saw is a traditional hand saw used in carpentry, metalworking, and lumbering. The teeth of the saw create a herringbone pattern to produce a tight curve for cutting or carving relief from the edge of lumber or other materials. This type of saw is also frequently applied to cutting curves on objects such as bowls and spoons and for making curved cuts through laminated veneer and plywood.
A coping saw, however, is very different from power saws that are used in different projects because they include an electric motor which is less expensive than the coping saw. It is much heavier than the power saw because it’s not powered by electricity which makes it much more difficult to control than an electric power tool.
The Components of a Coping Saw
A coping saw is made up of three main components. The first component is the coping saw frame which holds together all parts of a coping saw. A clamp secures the blade to this part and prevents it from moving while being used for cutting thin material off, such as wood or metal. Lastly, there are also different blades that can be changed out for different uses.
Let’s talk about which types of components are used in coping saw:
Coping Saw Handle
The handle is the part you hold on to while using a coping saw. It should have an ergonomic design, so it’s easy to grip and control. The handle will have a thumb trigger to control the saw.
Coping Saw Frame
Some coping saws are made out of metal (stainless steel), but most frame material used nowadays is plastic or carbon fiber because they’re lighter and durable. The frame is composed of two parts, the blade holder and a plastic handle.
Coping Saw Blade
The blade of a coping saw is the most important element because it’s responsible for cutting through materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. There are different types of blades used with coping saws: regular (for cutting wood), skip tooth (ideal for softer woods like pine), and bi-metal (stronger blades for cutting through metal, PVC, or ABS).
Throat Plate
The throat plate is the flat surface between the handle and blade. It helps guide your work-piece so you get a straight cut.
Collet Nut/Stabilizer Bar
A collet nut attaches to one end of the saw’s frame, while the stabilizer bar attaches to the other. The collet nut tightens around your blade, securing it in place while you cut.
Set Pin/Thumbscrew
This part of a coping saw secures the handle and blade together so they don’t slip off when cutting through materials like metal or plastic.
Indexing Nut
The indexing nut on a coping saw is used to adjust the blade’s tension. It can be adjusted to fit a more snug fit for delicate cuts or looser for less resistance.
Top 5 Best Coping Saw on the Market
Below, you will find more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices and read customer reviews on Amazon.
1. Olson Saw SF63510 Coping Saw
Product Feature
- Weight: 9.6 oz.
- Material: 15 TPI steel and wood
- Blade Length: 6.5 Inches
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 5 x 1 inches
The Olson Saw SF63510 is a top-of-the-line coping saw which features a robust yet professional saw along with an aesthetically pleasing wood handle.
And as it only weighs 9.6 ounces, woodworkers should expect a light affair with this one. Meanwhile, the tool’s blade is both efficient and flexible in that it can finish curved cuts along with joints users would like to trim.
Cuts can be made all the more sophisticated with Olson’s highly versatile adjustment mechanism in which users can turn the tool at 360 degrees. This 15 TPI blade-made coping saw comes with a low cutting at 43/4.
What We Liked
- Comfortable hand
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Blades can be adjusted easily
- Precise adjustments
- Comes with strong, thick metal
- Comes with a low cutting range clocked at 43/4
What We Didn’t Like
- Handle bends a lot
- Blade might be coarse for some
- May need to come with a larger, easy-to-grip handle
2. Stanley 15-104 Fatmax Coping Saw
Product Feature
- Material: Rubber and enforced steel
- Weight: 11.2 oz.
- Blade Length: 6 ½ inches
- Overall length: 13 ¼ inches
- Throat depth: 4 ¾
We all want our project done without disruption as much as possible. With Stanley 15-104 Fatmax Coping Saw, any possible interruption is limited with its neat and controlled system of cutting.
Additionally, the product’s angle blades which are lockable at 45-degree increments make it one of the users’ more versatile versions. And as it only weighs 11.2 ounces, consumers can delight in carrying and storing the tool anywhere.
Consumers have also noted of the product’s distinctive and ergonomically crafted cushion grip handle which comes with comfort galore. Stanley’s offering also boasts of quality material which enables users to perform quick and cleaner cuts. At a reasonable price, one might say that this is already a steal!
What We Liked
- Great compression covering
- Easy to use and carry
- Sufficient blade tension
- Blades can be changed easily
- Ergonomically-designed grip handle
What We Didn’t Like
- Accompanying handle could have been cushioned a bit more
- A bit on the flimsier side
3. Eclipse 70-FS1R Wood Handle and Steel Frame Coping Saw
Product Feature
- Material: Enforced steel and wood
- Weight: 11.1 oz.
- Length: 10.625 inches
- Cut type: Positive cut
- Size: 10 – 5/8” (Length) X 11 – 7/8” (Width)
Specifically crafted to cut coping joints, the Eclipse Coping Saw also is winning in the handling department. The sleek and modern wooden handle is both topnotch and easy to grip on.
The handle is armed with an enforced steel blade, a bi-metal one at that, which is designed to withstand the daily wear and tear. With these, this tool makes it very suitable when users are modeling woods or breezing through light plastics.
Eclipse has also certainly listened to its consumers, especially those who’d like to cut and shape woods, as this variant has blades that can be positioned at any angle to the frame. The tool can also be used for cutting detailed exterior shapes and the cut-outs inside.
What We Liked
- Sturdier frame and construction
- Comes with easy adjustments
- Well-tensioned blade
- Fits standard blade size
- Equipped with 360-degree blade rotation
What We Didn’t Like
- A bit heavier
- Knobs are a bit difficult to manage
4. BAHCO 301 6/12 Inch Coping Saw
Product Feature
- Material: Hardened and tempered carbon steel
- Length: 6 ½ inches
- Weight: 9.8 oz.
The unmistakable nickel-plated steel frame of Bahco 301 Coping Saw comes with an equally distinctive, orange-lacquered, wooden-beech handle.
It is your ideal coping saw which is equipped with great spring steel and a tension of 0.209 inches, setting it quite competitively with other saws. The product also boasts of retaining pins, which makes the blade rotatable to 360 degrees.
Bahco’s sonly entry in the list is also most suitable for most materials like glass, tiles, and metal. Flexibility and longevity can also be expected as the product’s blade can be replaced easily at numerous angles.
What We Liked
- Extremely robust frame
- Threads are cut cleanly
- Adjustment knobs are rendered neatly
- Blades can be set at a different angle vertically
- One of the sharpest blades around
What We Didn’t Like
- A little heftier than its counterparts
- Doesn’t hold enough tension
5. Robert Larson 540-2000 Coping Saw
Product Feature
- Material: Enforced steel and wood
- Weight: 9.6 oz.
- Dimensions: 12.6 X 6.2 X 1.9 inches
German-crafted to perfection and excellence, the Robert Larson 540-200 is specially honed to cut and shape wood with precision. That said, our last entry should be farewell for those who are heavily concentrated on wood-crafting, trimming, and other sorts of home projects.
Right when it’s tensioned properly, this coping saw’s blade teeth should provide an exacting cut. Alternatively, it can be used to tidy up those tear-outs that are usually left behind by massive saws.
Gunning for other joints like dovetails and complicated cuts? This coping saw also features a blade that can be navigated to up to 90 degrees. And as this variant utilizes blades that can come with or without pins, consumers are provided with the option to replace blades.
What We Liked
- Easy-to-adjust blade
- Can be modified at any angle
- Ergonomic handle
- Extremely sturdy
- High tension
- Neat and precise machining
What We Didn’t Like
- Performance against tension is at times, less than average
- Accompanying screws are prone to slipping
A Quick Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best Coping Saws
An artisan that you are on your woodworking projects, choosing the best coping saw among the multitude of options out there can ultimately challenge the “wise buyer” in you.
That said, set aside your creativity first and be the smartest purchaser around with these valuable insights and considerations that you must be equipped with right when you’re about to make the biggest decision concerning this purchase.
Blade installation
How easy the blade is to install on a coping saw can affect your comfort while using it. If you’re not comfortable with how the blade gets installed, then that will hamper your project and might even lead to accidents if you just keep going through one frustrating experience after another.
Blade Rotation
Coping saw blades can rotate in two directions, clockwise and counterclockwise. Make sure you choose the one that fits your preference as this is another “comfort” factor that could potentially affect how well you do on your project.
Tension: Tension controls the speed of cut so it’s important to find a tool with the right amount of tension for your needs. The rule to follow here is that the less flexible, the higher its blade pressure which means you will have a harder time cutting through thin material with it.
Blade Length
Coping saw blades come in different lengths so choose carefully depending on what type or length of project you’re about to do. The longer the blade, the more control you’ll have during cuts but it will also give you a stiffer cut which might mean fewer curves on your project compared to shorter blades.
Blade Quality: Invest in a coping saw blade that’s of good quality and will last you for many years to come. This means it should be able to cut different materials without snagging or breaking apart, not too soft so as not to lose its sharpness quickly and strong enough even when cutting harder substances like metals.
Handle
A comfortable handle is a difference between a smooth and easy experience while using the coping saw or one that might be quite uncomfortable for you. If your hands are sore after just an hour of use, then it must either mean that the handle is too small (or not comfortable enough) or there’s some other issue with its design that affects how well you grip it.
Cost
The cost of the coping saw should also be factored in when buying. However, don’t just focus on its price tag because this will only limit your options to those tools that are either too cheap or way out of reach financially for you. Try instead to balance both quality and price so you can get better value for your money.
Materials
Coping saw blades are made from different materials with some being harder to use compared to others. Carbon steel is the most popular among woodworkers due to its durability and reliability but there’s also a downside that comes along with it- rust! Stainless steel coping saws don’t have this problem, making them a better option for those who are not comfortable with working on their projects in wet weather.
Safety Features
There should be some safety features that come standard with the coping saw you choose to work with, especially since it’s a hand tool which means there will always be risks involved if you don’t use it carefully and responsibly. Look for one that has a finger guard to keep you from accidentally cutting yourself while working on your project or otherwise.
Ergonomics
This refers to how well you can hold and use the coping saw. A lot of people prefer longer blades because it allows them to grip it in different ways, making their work easier without having to be so precise with each cut they make which could slow them down considerably when working on a project for hours at a time.
Extra Features
If some extra features come with the coping saw then you’ll probably be paying more for it, but if they will make your work easier and help you get better results within a shorter amount of time- go for it!
Some extra features to look out for are an adjustable shoe plate which allows you to control how deep or shallow each cut will be, a dust port or blade guide which removes sawdust from the work area and prevents it from flying everywhere so you don’t inhale toxic chemicals while working on your project.
After all of this, you should already have a more concrete idea on how to pick the best coping saw for your needs and preferences which will help you get better value out of it compared to just randomly choosing one item from among countless others that are available in the market today. If there’s anything else that we can do to help you in this regard, then please don’t hesitate to let us know at any time.
How to Using a Coping Saw Safely
Knowing how to use your coping saw appropriately would not only provide you excellent and sublime results on your woodworking projects but should also and ultimately veer you away from unnecessary injuries. Here are some of the helpful tips I’ve especially collated just for you:
General Safety
Ensure that you’re always equipped with protective gear like goggles and gloves when you’re working. Note that the saw’s slim-sized blades tend to break occasionally, hence, the importance of these gears couldn’t be more stressed. And as with any sharp carpentry tool, make certain that your head is distant when you are sawing the wood.
On the other hand, you have to keep a stable surface right with a clamp in any material that you intend to work on. In this regard, the floor in which you’d be using as a workspace should always be tidied up so good footing is secured accordingly.
The Safest Way to Cut
They often cause why blades are breaking are due to an unusually tightened blade. That said, this can be prevented if you choose not to tighten the blade excessively.
Meanwhile, always choose to regulate the pressure amount you’re putting on when cutting. This regulation should significantly up your cutting’s fineness and exactness. On the other hand, the modification ensures that your blade performs optimally without some breaking that can sometimes turn into accidents.
The Maintenance
Naturally, you would want to always keep your coping saw into its tip-top shape. Unless you’re planning to replace it seasonally, maintaining its sharpness and accuracy is all you could do to keep this from happening.
Your saw uses slim blades that are susceptible to breakage. May it be due to continued usage or some mechanical blips along the way, it’s vital to perform religious maintenance?
One of the surefire ways to do this is by means of replacing the blades right after the break. In a way, you’re doing these blades a favor as this boosts the tool’s overall durability while it exacts that much-needed efficiency only you deserve to experience from a coping saw.
The Advantages of Using Coping Saws:
Coping saws are a great addition to any shop tool kit. They are designed for making small cuts that can be difficult with other tools. Using them allows you to make clean, tight curves of the same size as your blade width. Here are some of their main advantages:
- A coping saw is typically smaller than many of the other tools you are used to, so it is easy to carry around.
- They allow for making quick cuts in tight spaces that the larger saws can’t reach. This makes them ideal for cutting dowels or tenons close up against a side of your work piece.
- The blades have pins that hold the blade. Because of this, you can bend your blade into a tight curve and then straighten it again when the cut is done. This makes it easy to follow irregular contours in your woodworking projects that other saws just won’t have the ability to do.
- The Disadvantages Of Using Coping Saws:
- It is important to be aware of the disadvantages that coping saws have when you begin using them. Here are some things to remember:
- The blades on a coping saw tend to break or bend easily, so it’s worth having extra blades in your tool kit at all times. It can also take longer than other types of saws to put a blade in your saw.
- Because the blades are so small, they don’t have as much power or torque behind them. This can be frustrating when cutting large pieces of wood that you need to apply more force for.
The Benefits of Using Coping Saws:
Coping saws offer great benefits over other types of saws. They allow you to make cuts in tight spaces and over odd shapes that other tools just won’t be able to do effectively, which makes them a great addition to your tool kit. The blades are also very easy for making curves and sharp angles when compared with other saws, so they can cut through wood with amazing accuracy. Because of these benefits, coping saws are very popular among woodworkers and hobbyists alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best coping saw to buy?
If you need a coping saw for carpentry, then the best would be an all-around tool. For this, we recommend going with a model from Olson Saw SF63510 or Stanley 15-104as they are cheap but high quality.
How do I choose a coping saw?
There are many things to consider when choosing a coping saw. Firstly, you must know what you will be using the tool for and how often. If you will be using the saw for light work at home then a cheap coping saw will do as long as it is comfortable to use and easy to adjust. If your job requires frequent usage, such as if you are an electrician or plumber working on tight spaces, consider buying one with replaceable blades that can withstand additional pressure.
What is a keyhole saw?
A coping saw with a thin blade that has one end bent into a 90-degree angle, allowing the tool to cut in tight spaces. This kind of saw can also be used as a standard type of coping saw by cutting from above and pulling towards you for precise cuts.
Can a coping saw cut hardwood?
Yes, a coping saw can cut through hardwood. However, if you are cutting through hardwood or sheet metal it is recommended to use a blade made from HSS steel for durability and strength.
What types of materials can the coping saw cut?
Coping saws can be used on wood, plastic, drywall, and even thin sheet metal.
Can coping saw blades be sharpened?
Yes, you can sharpen a standard blade with fine-grit sandpaper and then lubricating it before putting it back into the handle of your choice.
How do I cut corners?
Cutting corners means creating angular cuts on wood projects such as window sills or trim boards. You can do this by drawing the desired angle on a piece of wood and then making accurate cuts along both sides to create two boards with beveled ends that fit together at right angles, creating an “L” shape.
What kind of blades should be used with a coping saw?
The best kind of blades to use with a coping saw are the ones that have been curved on either end of the blade. This allows it to follow the contours of the material being cut, making it easier for you to have straight lines. Using straight blades can cause them to bend or break.
What is a coping saw used for?
The most common reason that people use a coping saw is to create beautiful patterns and angles on their woodworking projects. It can also be used for creating holes, fixing furniture pieces and other household items. There are many different uses for coping saws!
What is the difference between a hand coping saw and an electric coping saw?
A hand coping saw is connected to your arm or hand by a handle, while an electric one is connected to an electric power source. Each has its own set of pros and cons. A hand coping saw is lightweight and easy to handle, but it can be difficult to use on bigger projects with long pieces of material. An electric one is easier to use, but it can make your project more expensive and it often needs a lot of space around it to work properly.
What are some common materials that a coping saw can be used on?
The best kind of materials to use a coping saw on are the ones that have straight lines and angles. This includes wood projects as well as other household items, such as metal parts, other appliances. It is important to choose a coping saw that is durable and has a blade that won’t snap easily.
What are some things that I should keep in mind when using my coping saw?
If you are using your coping saw for the first time, it is important to remember to cut slowly with steady pressure. It’s also important to be aware of the blade and ensure that it is not touching anything other than your material.
What are some tips for using a coping saw?
Here are some tips to keep in mind when working with a coping saw. First, because you are dealing with sharp blades, be sure to wear safety goggles or glasses before starting any project. It is also important to make sure that your material is securely in place and won’t shift while working with it. Next, you should try not to push directly down on the saw, but instead work from a side view so that you can see what you are doing.
The Verdict
What makes Olson Saw SF63510 Coping Saw an indispensable working tool, and a winning alternative at that, is its no-frills approach to tool-making. The design and structure are all precise, vital, and efficient. From its adjustable blade and tension down to its sleek aesthetics and ergonomic handle, this German-made coping saw is your best bet.
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