A coping saw is a U-shaped manual saw which is used for cutting intricate unusual curves, shapes or designs on thin wooden workpieces. It is better to know that a coping saw is a light-duty saw. Which means you cannot use a coping saw for cutting heavy or thick materials. This is why knowing what a coping saw is used for is very important for every DIY workers and woodworkers.
Quick Overview
Usage of a coping saw
Coping saw is the best if it is used for making tight curves or intricate designs or such other tight cuts. Moldings (especially crown moldings) or cornices, joints, baseboard moldings, or any kind of detailed curves and cuts on the wood body. You can also use a coping saw for making cuts in materials other than wood also. But it can get a bit risky. As I have said earlier that a coping saw can only be used for light-duty works. So cutting materials other than wood is a bit bold for coping saw. You cannot even use every kind of wood or make every kind of cuts with a coping saw. You can use a coping saw to cut thin materials up to 25mm. Same applies for materials other than wood such as plastic. Cutting other hard materials become very risky for the saw blade.
Blade
The blade of a coping saw is very tiny and small. But do not underestimate this cute little blade. It might be small in size but it is a very mighty one. The thin size of the blade allows the saw operator to make the uneven cuts on the workpiece. The length of a coping saw blade is generally 6 inches (15cm).
TPI of the blade
Normally, the TPI (Teeth Per Inch) of a coping saw blade is from 12 to 15. The TPI of the blade completely depends on the operator of the saw. And the operator should also know that the quality of the cut and the time required to cut depending on the TPI of the blade. A blade with more TPI will make a very clean and smooth cut but take a bit more time. On the other hand, a blade with less TPI will give faster cuts but a very rough, coarse finishing on the workpiece.
To cut different types of materials with a coping saw, using different types of blades is a must. Blades made for cutting wood should only be used for cutting woods. If the same type of blade allows cutting different materials than it is a different story. Know what type of blade you are using for which type of cuts on what type of materials.
A special blade made of tungsten carbide can be used to cut hard ceramic materials. They are specially made for cutting ceramics.
Replace old blade with a new blade
Change the blade immediately when you see defects on the blade. The blade will wear out or become blunt after using. Do not try to sharpen the blade like a chainsaw or etc. as it will be of no benefit other than a waste of time. Replacing the blade completely with a new one will be the best and the wisest decision. Here is an important piece of advice for you. When you but the coping saw blade, buy a whole packet of them. The packet contains blades of different types and TPI for various types of uses. The blade of a coping saw is very cheap. So money would not be a problem here.
Cutting strokes
When you are using a coping saw, you have to make the cuts in the pull strokes. Some kinds of saw cuts in push strokes and some cuts in the pull strokes. And some kind of the saw and saw blade allows cutting in both push and pulling strokes. But the coping saw here only cuts best in pull strokes. When you will be changing the blade, be sure that the teeth of the blade of the coping saw are facing the handle.
Cutting holes with a coping saw
Cutting holes with a coping saw might sound like a very hard job. But, it is rather very easy work. You just need to know the special trick for doing this. At first, drill a small hole in the workpiece. Then remove the blade from the saw and insert it through the hole you have just made. Then attach the blade back with the saw. Now you just have to make the cuts like you normally do.
