Best Coping Saws

You’re staring at a crown molding template that looks like a toddler’s scribble—sharp angles, tight curves, and zero room for error. Your jigsaw screams like a banshee, your band saw’s too bulky, and your scroll saw’s buried under last year’s tax papers. Enter the coping saw—the pocket-sized wizard that laughs at impossible cuts, from Victorian gingerbread trim to salvaging Grandma’s splintered heirloom chair. Here’s how to turn this $20 tool into your workshop’s MVP.

Why Your Fancy Power Tools Can’t Replace a $20 Coping Saw

Coping saws are the duct tape of woodworking: ugly, cheap, and weirdly perfect. Here’s why they’re irreplaceable:

• Cut Curves a Router Would Weep At: Tight radii down to ¼” (think: Art Nouveau flourishes).
• Zero Tear-Out: Flip the blade for scoring cuts that leave glassy edges.
• Ninja Maneuverability: Thread the blade through drilled holes for interior cuts.
• Therapy Sessions: There’s zen in the slow, controlled rhythm of hand tools.

True Story: A Brooklyn furniture restorer saved a 1920s oak chair by using a coping saw to replicate shattered spindles—charging $800 for “artisanal repairs.”

Anatomy of a Coping Saw: Where Simplicity Meets Sorcery

1. Blade:

   • Teeth: 15–20 TPI (teeth per inch) for wood; 32 TPI for metal/plastic.
   • Orientation: Teeth face toward the handle for push cuts (standard), or reverse for pull cuts (Japanese style).
   • Snap-to-Change: No tools needed—twist the handle to tension.

2. Frame:

   • Steel: Durable but heavy (good for stability).
   • Aluminum: Lightweight for overhead cuts (e.g., ceiling medallions).

3. Handle:

   • Pistol Grip: Ergonomic control for intricate work.
   • Traditional D-Handle: Better for rotational cuts.

5 Coping Saw Hacks That’ll Make You Feel Like a Jedi

1. The “Impossible” Inside Cut:

   • Drill a ¼” hole in your workpiece, thread the blade through, and reattach. Boom—no visible entry point.

2. Zero-Tear Veneer Cuts:

   • Place masking tape over the cut line + use a reverse-tooth blade.

3. DIY Scroll Saw:

   • Clamp the saw upside down to your bench for stationary precision.

4. Rescue Splintered Moldings:

   • Undercut the backside of trim to hide gaps in crooked corners.

5. Metal & Plastic Surgery:

   • Swap in a 32 TPI blade to slice copper pipe, PVC, or acrylic sheets.

Coping Saws vs. The World: When to Go Old-School

Blade Types: Your Secret Weapon Swap

1. Standard (15 TPI):

   • All-purpose for hardwoods and softwoods.

2. Reverse Tooth (20 TPI):

   • Cuts on the pull stroke for tear-free veneers.

3. Spiral Blade:

   • Cuts in any direction without rotating the saw (great for beginners).

4. Carbide-Grit:

   • Grinds through ceramic tile, fiberglass, or carbon fiber.

Pro Tip: Dip blades in beeswax to reduce friction and extend life.

Choosing Your Coping Saw: The $20vs.$200 Face-Off

1. Budget Warrior ($10–$30):

   • Top Pick: Irwin 2014400 – Durable frame, 5 blades included.
   • Hack: Upgrade to Pegas blades ($3 each) for pro results.

2. Mid-Range Maverick ($50–$100):

   • Top Pick: Knew Concepts 3-6” – Aircraft aluminum, spins 360°.
   • Perk: Tension knob for guitar-string tightness.

3. Luxury Laser ($150+):

   • Top Pick: TMS Titanium Frame – Lighter than your phone, tougher than divorce court.
   • Flex: Bragging rights at woodworking guild meetings.

5 Mistakes That Turn Coping Saws into Kindling

1. Blade Tension Tantrums:

   • Too loose = blade wanders; too tight = snaps. Aim for a high C musical note when plucked.

2. Death Grip Syndrome:

   • Hold the handle like a paintbrush—let the saw glide.

3. Wrong Blade for the Job:

   • Cutting oak with a 32 TPI blade = slower than Congress.

4. Ignoring the Frame:

   • Rotate the frame mid-cut to navigate tight curves.

5. Skipping the Backer Board:

   • Clamp scrap wood underneath to prevent blowout.

Maintenance: Keep Your Saw from Becoming a Dusty Relic

• Blade Care:
  • Wipe with WD-40 to prevent rust.
  • Store blades in an old Altoids tin (hipster points + practicality).
• Frame TLC:
  • Lubricate pivot points with sewing machine oil.
  • Check tension screws monthly for wear.

Pro Hack: Spray the frame with neon paint—find it faster in clutter.

FAQs: Solving Coping Saw Nightmares

Q: Why does my blade keep twisting mid-cut?
A: Frame isn’t tensioned enough. Crank it until the blade sings.

Q: Can I cut metal door hinges?
A: Yes! Use a 32 TPI blade and go slow to avoid overheating.

Q: Best saw for scrollwork beginners?
A: Knew Concepts 3-6” with spiral blades—no rotations needed.

The Final Cut: Small Tool, Big Legacy

Coping saws are the quiet rebels of the workshop—unassuming but unstoppable. They’ve outlived floppy disks, survived the CNC invasion, and still deliver where lasers and algorithms fail. Whether you’re restoring antiques or crafting postmodern abstractions, this tool bridges centuries of craftsmanship.