![\"IMG_0991_edited-2\"](\"https:\/\/www.rpwoodwork.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/IMG_0991_edited-2.jpg\")
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This coping saw<\/strong> frame is an old one made by Eclipse<\/strong> in England. The handle,<\/strong> threaded stem, proximal blade anchor, and the yellow tabs are transplants<\/strong> from an otherwise poorly designed $8 Irwin saw. The handle’s rounded triangular cross section and comfortable<\/strong> grippy material make it less fatiguing to use than the wooden original.<\/strong><\/p>\n Small frame-type saws like these lack the robust rigidity of their larger cousins<\/strong> and thus perform better cutting on the pull stroke<\/strong>, which also happens to be more natural and efficient when it is used vertically.<\/strong><\/p>\n I like Olson<\/a> CP304 blades for general work (.020″ thick, .125″ wide, 15 tpi<\/strong>). The CP301 blades are slimmer<\/strong> (.018″ thick, .094″ wide, 18 tpi skip tooth) and may fit into the kerf<\/strong> of some dovetail saws when used for removing waste, though the total set of these blades varies from about .002″ to .008″ in the ones I measured. CP307 (32 tpi) are handy for the inevitable metal cutting<\/strong> that woodworkers do.<\/p>\n In addition to “serious” work, the\u00a0coping saw is great for very young kids<\/strong> who tend to dig in and stall with heavier handsaws. The coping saw seems to avoid this because the blade is under steady tension<\/strong>, helped along by the pull stroke. The blades, of course, are inexpensive.<\/p>\n Clamp the wood firmly for the little woodworker, who should use two hands<\/strong> on the saw. You will be the only one who cares if the cut is straight.<\/strong> Even at younger than four years old, my son and daughter played in the shop with me, sawing little wood pieces, building little things, and making big memories.<\/strong><\/p>\n Knew Concepts<\/a>\u00a0takes coping and fret saws to\u00a0vastly higher levels.<\/strong> I have an earlier model 5″ titanium frame fret saw<\/strong>. This style is currently available in aluminum, in addition to the newer “bird cage” titanium model. They also make a similar coping saw.<\/p>\n These saws are amazingly light and rigid,<\/strong> plus offer a convenient cam lever tensioning mechanism and indexed blade tilt adjustment.<\/p>\n This saw is excellent for inlay work<\/strong> using #2\/0 blades (28 tpi skip). Again, the pull stroke setup is best. I wrapped the handle in black friction tape.<\/p>\n It is by far the best saw I have used to<\/strong> remove dovetail waste.<\/strong> You can get very close to the baseline using a single cut. This makes chiseling the remaining waste<\/a> faster<\/strong> and, with less push back of the chisel<\/a>, more accurate.<\/strong> The fret saw blade easily fits into the kerf<\/strong> made by most dovetail saws, and can be redirected sideways within one stroke.<\/p>\n![\"IMG_0990_edited-2\"](\"https:\/\/www.rpwoodwork.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/IMG_0990_edited-2.jpg\")
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