Coping and Fret Saws

Matt,

Perhaps you will find this article helpful:

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/chris-schwarz-blog/millers-falls-no-42-coping-saw

Bill

Matt, I have both but use the coping saw more often. I use the coping saw for molding than anything else but that’s because of the work I’m doing at the moment. More times than not I jump to the scroll saw.There are slight differences between the coping and fret saws but the aim of both is to balance the weight of the saws with the type of work and how long it’s being done. They both came into use years ago before power tools and there were/are people that work with either of the saws all day long, hence the work/weight factor. The biggest difference is the bow of the fret saw since it is made to reach deeper into a panel. You can buy one or the other and juice it up by making a bigger handle but you’re still limited to the relatively short length of the blade. The tightness of the blade can be adjusted but you run the chance of breaking the blade if it’s to tight and you (anyone) try to compensate by pulling back or twisting. It’s just human nature and it takes a while to get used to it. Scroll saws break less often because of the speed which it runs, it kinda powers it’s way through the wood. Longer blades will deflect more and I suspect that is the reason for the short length of the blade. Making inlays with a long blade is sure to make someone lose their patience. Try making a handle that is comfortable for you and get a decent saw from a garage sale, they’re all sort of the same animal. Charlie

Matt,
I’ve been considering the New Concepts saws myself since they hit the market. The price may seem hard to justify at first but after cutting a number of simple dovetails with an antique jeweler’s saw, I am seeing the benefit. My oldie worked great but had its limitations. My coping saw is an older Sadvik brand. They have since been bought over by Bahco, I believe. I like it a lot and it has been highly rated. It has good adjustability and is durable. Still, if you want the quality and plan on using the saw more than a few times a year as I do, then I say invest in the N.C. saws or at least go look at one if you can. You only cry once when you spend on quality.