Best Coping Saws Reviews & Price Comparison
Ever stopped to wonder how carpenters make those intricate cuts and moldings? Well, it is not easy, and you require the right tools. If you want to venture into woodworking, a coping saw is a must-have tool if you want the best and most precise cuts. But what is a coping saw?
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A coping saw is a handsaw with a rather slip blade fastened to a ‘U’ shaped bracket. With this, you can remove waste from dovetails and cope molding, and cut curves. The coping saw is well adjusted to its task that its design has barely changed 90 years from its inception.
However, it is a professional tool and an untrained hand will find it difficult to work with.
What to Look for
The size of the throat – The throat is the space between the blade and the frame. It can be anywhere between 4 and 6 inches but all coping saws use the same 6-3/8 to 6-1/2 inch blades. The throat size is an important factor to consider as it will influence the depth of your cut. For deeper depth, we recommend the 6 inch and the 4 inch for shallow depths.
Type of blade – Always choose the blade according to the material you are going to cut and its thickness.
Other than pointing out what to look for in a coping saw, we have put together a list of the 10 best coping saws in the market, their features, and their product features. If there is anything you feel we have left behind, you are free to let us know in the comments below.
10 Best Coping Saws
Olson SF63510
Sturdy – One key feature of this Olson is the quality. If you have used any Olson saw, you will know that their blades barely bend or break. The SF63510 is no exception and will serve you well.
Adjustability – You can make any cut imaginable as the blade can turn 360 degrees and cut in various directions.
It is also lightweight, and thus you don’t have to worry about fatigue. The wooden handle is also a nice touch, and it improves the appeal. Finally, you can create enough tension and keep the blade in position thanks to the thumb screws.
15 teeth per inch
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Dimensions: 9.5 * 5 * 1 inches
The blade can be turned 360 degrees
Wooden handle
Who is it for?
The Olson SF63510 is for hobbyists and learners. Though it can make professional cuts, it doesn’t make the cut to be a professional tool.
The SF63510 is a lightweight item and thus you don’t have to worry about fatigue
The blade can turn 360 degrees and cut in any direction
Appealing thanks to the wooden handle
Affordable
Sturdy build
The tension on the blade is wanting, and they could do a better job on the handle as it is flimsy
Robert Larson 540-2000
Adjustability – Though the blade cannot 360 degrees like the Olson, it can still adjust to various angles allowing for some pretty decent cuts. Your dovetails will be exceptional with this tool as will your coping while cutting curves will be decent.
Lightweight – Weighing 9.6 ounces, the 540-2000 is a lightweight tool, and thus you don’t have to worry about fatigue.
Another fascinating feature of the Robert Larson 540-200 is the wooden handle. It is sturdy and quite appealing. Change the blade is also a breeze, as is the blade rotation. Finally, you can easily adjust the tension by turning the handle.
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Dimension: 12.6 *6.2 * 1.9 inches
Wooden handle
6-inch blade
A 5-inch cutting depth
Who is it for?
This is a tool for hobbyists and professionals alike. Though high end coping saws would serve experts better, this still holds its own.
Affordable
Appealing thanks to the wooden handle
Easy to rotate
Changing the blades is a breeze
The tension on this needs some work. It quickly gets out of alignment leading to inaccurate cuts
Stanley 15-106
Toughened steel – The Stanley 15-106 carbon steel blades are designed to make tough cuts. The steel frame can also handle abuse and prevents bending for straight cuts.
Ergonomically designed handle – The new soft rubber grips increase comfort allowing you to work for extended periods of time.
If you are familiar with coping saws, you know how much of a hassle it is to change blades. Well, Stanley has made this process a walk in the park. Blade rotation is also exceptional. Finally, it is lightweight at 8.8 ounces which when combined with the rubberized handles make this item a pleasure to use.
16 teeth per inch
6-2/8 inch blade length
Weight: 8.8 ounces
6-3/4 inch depth
Ergonomically designed handle
Who is it for?
The Stanley 15-106 isn’t a lifetime tool. It’s best for woodworking enthusiasts but not professionals.
The handle increases support and comfort
Unparalleled depth at 6-3/4 inches
A toughened carbon steel blade that can make tough cuts
Lightweight and thus reducing fatigue
Works smoothly, and is easy to turn the blades by loosening the handle
Sold with three replacement blades
One concern with the Stanley 15-106 is that the handle doesn’t stay tight
Bahco 301
Hardened steel blades – The Bahco blades are made of hardened tempered carbon steel blades increasing their durability.
Aesthetics – You will definitely love the orange lacquered handle as it increases the appeal. Also, it’s wooden which is a nice touch.
The Bahco 301 has a blade tension on 0.209 inches and you can rotate the blade 360 degrees. Also, the handle will sit comfortably in your hands. Finally, the 301 is perfect at removing waste from dovetails, coping, while it’s moderately good at cutting curves.
Length – 6-1/2 inches
Nickel-plated steel frame
O.209 inch blade tension
Beechwood handle
14 teeth per inch
Who is it for?
Bahco 301 is an average tool for average woodworkers, much like most other tools on this list.
The Bahco 301 features a sturdy frame
It’s easy to make blade changes
Feels great in the hands thanks to the handle
Unmatched aesthetics
Keeps consistent tension on the blade
The blade adjuster was too stiff for our liking, and the handle is misaligned
Irwin Tools Pro Touch (2014400)
High-speed blade – The Irwin blade has 17 teeth per inch and can cut through wood with ease. It thus makes woodworking or any other project a breeze.
Ergonomic handle – If you are a veteran in woodworking, you know of the fatigue from working with poorly designed tools. Well, the Irwin 2014400 aims to eliminate this fatigue and allow you to work longer hours. The triangular shape ensures an easy grip and comfort.
You will also like the durasteel pins which hold the blade in place. The flat bar frame, on the other hand, increases the durability of the tool. Finally, the blade tension is 0.165 on this tool and has a lifetime warranty.
6-1/2 inch blade length and 5-1/2 inch depth
A flat steel frame
17 teeth per inch
Ergonomic ProTouch handle
Who is it for?
There have been a few complaints about this tool, but it holds up well. It is an industrial tool and will serve professionals well.
Has a high-speed blade which makes work easier as you can cut through any material
A sturdy tool as it is made with plenty of steel
The blade can handle abuse and can bend in any direction
Inserting and rotating the blades is tasking, you will need a wrench
This set has no blade guards to keep the blade from getting dinged up
Eclipse 70-CP1R
Aesthetics – As always the presence of a wooden handle increases the appeal of an item as is the case here.
Smooth rotation – Rotating the blade can be an arduous task on some of the previous saws. That isn’t the case here though as you can turn it 360 degrees without breaking a sweat.
The 70-CP1R is excellent at getting rid of waste from dovetails, coping, and cutting curves. It also has a blade tension of 0.189 inches which is fairly decent while blade changes are quite smooth too. The 12-inch blade has 14 precision milled teeth per inch increasing the life and the cutting accuracy.
14 TPI 12 inch blade
4-1/2 inch depth
Wooden handle
360-degree blade rotation
Who is it for?
Given the size, and the quality, this is a tool for professionals and advanced hobbyists.
Affordable
The ergonomically designed handle increases comfort allowing you to work longer hours
Durable spring steel blade
The only shortcoming with this tool is that changing the blades is a bit difficult
Eclipse 70-FS1R
Bimetal blade – The first most impressive feature with this tool is the nearly unbreakable bimetal blade. It makes precise cuts and is wear resistant.
Also, weighing 11 ounces, the 70-FS1R is a lightweight tool that will enable you to work for extended hours without fatigue. It features a spring steel blade finish and the tool in 1-inch thick.
Weight: 11 ounces
Length: 10.625 inches
Width: 11.875 inches
Finish: Steel spring blade
Who is it for?
The 70-FS1R is a tool for model makers.
The bimetal blade is virtually unbreakable and has wear resistance
The blade angle where you set it with reduced or no chance of misalignment
It uses pinned blades, and with the selection of pinned blades available, you can work on nearly any material
Changing the blades is tasking
Adjusting the knobs that hold the blade is dangerous
Sheffield 58203
Ergonomically designed handle – The handle is made of a soft rubber material that is comfortable in your hands. Also, it will not cause blisters like the wooden handles on most coping saws. We also loved the fact that the handle will not slip when wet from sweat. By and large, you will work for longer hours thanks to the comfort this tool offers.
Quality build – We live in an age where manufacturers avoid making top quality products just to keep customers coming back. Sheffield has gone against the grain on this one and produced a premium coping saw. Made of top-quality chrome vanadium steel, it is strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion. In addition, it features a 2-piece design for extra strength.
Another exciting feature of the Sheffield 58203 is the chamfered drive that makes it a breeze to attach blades. The set also comes with three extra blades and thus you don’t have to worry about getting replacements. The far end of the saw too has etchings that enable you to align the saw with commonplace angles. Finally, the item is appropriate for persons who are on a modest budget.
2-piece design
Made of S-2 steel
Chamfered drive end
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Who is it for?
Given the price, this is an item for people on a low budget. However, it can still serve professionals well, given the quality of the tool.
A sturdy build which increases the life of the tool
Affordable
An ergonomic handle that reduces the strain on your arms letting you work for extended hours
The frame will lose tension if you leave the blade screwed in
Task Tools T33105
Sturdy build – The first most impressive feature of the T33105 is the quality of the material. Made of hardened, tempered steel, you can be sure it will serve you well.
Aesthetics – You will also love the look of this item thanks to the hardwood handle.
You will also love how lightweight this item is. Weighing 9.6 ounces, you can work for long periods with little fatigue.
Wooden handle
4-3/4 inch blade length
Tempered steel construction
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Dimensions: 12.2 * 6.5 *1.2 inches
Who is it for?
The Task Tools T33105 is not for professionals. However, it is perfect for learners and DIYers.
Top quality blades that will get you effortlessly through several jobs without losing their sharpness or requiring a blade change
The set has three extra blades
If you are on a tight budget, this is the tool for you
The handle isn’t well attached to the rest of the blade
Zona 35-670
The saw can be turned 360 degrees – Any carpenter will tell you the importance of a saw that can cut in any direction. Getting rid of waste from dovetails and cutting curves will be a walk in the park.
A remarkable cutting depth – We also think you will appreciate the cutting depth on the Zona 35-670. At 6-1/4 inches, it is better than most tools on this list. As such, making deeper cuts will be effortless.
The tool has a 6-1/2 inch long blade, with 15 teeth per inch. It also features a flattened frame and uses pin ends for tensioning.
Dimensions: 12 * 8 * 1 inches
Blade length: 6-1/2 inches
Cutting depth: 6-1/4 inches
Weight: 8 ounces
Who is it for?
Given its insufficient tension, we would recommend this for a professional. DIYers and learners though will appreciate it and how affordable it is.
It allows you to cut in any direction which is impressive
The 15TPI blade makes it easier to cut through material
The tension on the blade is insufficient and might lead to uneven cuts
FAQs
What is the importance of a coping saw?
It turns out that it is quite difficult to explain the uses of a coping saw. However, it is designed to help you cope, and make intricate cuts on wood.
How do you maintain one?
Maintenance of the tool is also a key concern for most owners. The blade will sustain most of the damage and that’s what you need to focus on most. You can get replacement blades in stores or online but ensure you get the appropriate TPI.
Conclusion
Coping saws are an essential tool for any woodworker. A great example is when erecting crown moldings. Often walls are barely at 45 degrees, and the ceiling and wall are hardly 90 degrees. Therefore the moldings have to be cut to the walls specifications, and only a coping saw can do this.
This buying guide will help any DIYer, apprentice, or professional make an informed choice. If you feel that we have left anything out, let us know in the comments below. Otherwise, share.
