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For a while I have been looking for a suitable Coping saw. But all awailable, even the Bacho ones, had sloppy steel spring frames that was too "bendy". And after seeing how Paul Sellers use his on the push stroke so that the lines are not obscured by breaking wood fibres, a stiff frame became a must have.

Looking at this video with Adam Savage of Mythbusters it was clear that a broader frame is the way to go. Tose are nice saws but insanely expensive. And while at it- what has flexural strength as good as aluminium? Wood!

So off to the drawing board and then the workshop. Made all working parts i a few hours, and after having tested that the frame was stiff enough, took the time to make a nice handle. Wanted it to facilitate both push and pull use and ended up with the shape seen that is nice to hold.

Thsi resulted in a super light saw (125 gr/4.4 oz) half the weight of a Knew coping saw. The frame is stiff and the blade can be tensioned to make a high pitch ring when tapped. And i spent 1,5€ in materials including the blade.

Frame from straight grown ash, handle from ebonized oak and metal parts from assorted screws and bolts. The blue tape is just to give a little extra resistance when rotating the blade. Homemade danish oil and wax for finish.

Yet another fun and rewarding tool build.
Let me know what you think!

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Comments

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4,567 Posts
Nice strong frame. Good job on it…..................Jim
 

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Great looking and functioning saw. Any chance you can share dimensional information? Thanks.
 

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16,235 Posts
Very nice!
 

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Like it very much! Good build of great tool!
 

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Thanks guys!

Horky: Sure- this should be the information you need:
- Frame overall: 225×130
- back: 4,5×32
- Ends: 12×32 tapering to 25 The weight reduzing cutouts made on the TS by moving across the blade (and resting against a fence).
- Handle: Ø28×125 Bolt glued in with epoxy
- Metal parts: M6 bolts and wing nut

Let me know if you have any questions
 

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884 Posts
fantastic idea, and a super easy build. thanks for the idea and the details!
 

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Very nice tool Bamse.

-Madts.
 

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AaronK: Thanks! Are you going to make one?
Madts: Thank you too. Definitely the most fun projects in the workshop are tools
 

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Bamse that is one great looking saw and looks to be well made and strong I am amazed at the light weight .
I sure will make one like it but may try Baltic birch ply and hope it is strong enough .
Thanks for posting this with all the details that will help a lot .

Klaus
 

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Thanks for the kind words, Kiefer. Looking forward to see your version!

Btw found another diy wooden saw, this time in the shape of a small frame saw:
 

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Way cool, And on my bucket list for sure.
 

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I like this a lot. My bendy old Stanley is in for a refit.
 

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That's awesome, so you made the frame with slots in the end pieces and the long piece slides down in there it looks like. But is that also a spline I see, or just darker end grain?
 

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That s awesome, so you made the frame with slots in the end pieces and the long piece slides down in there it looks like. But is that also a spline I see, or just darker end grain?
Thanks! The back goes all the way and just slides in like a open mortice and tennon. No splines but lots of glue surface. Hope this makes sense?
 

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I wish I had seen this before I bought a new coping saw.. I rally need one that can use pinless fretsaw blades. Did you think about a way to attach pinless blades?
 

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Hmm not realy. I already have a fretsaw and wanted to use the more aggressive coping saw blades. But i suppose any kind of screw that hold the blade could work. But perhaps not so easy to make if you want to be able to rotate the blade…
Hope you find a solution!
 

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Ty you rock as usual!
Love it, what a beautiful saw and so suitable for a woodworker.
Must visit you soon and see it life.
Also what you are up to at the forge. ;-)
Love it.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 

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Thanks Mads! Trying to keep up with you in the self made tools..
 
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