Coping Saws / Blades

[Mark Meckes]

Jul 4, 2001
If I am in the garden making a fence, or in the grove retrieving culms(under 2 1/2 inches, 5-7cm dia), or if I need to cut a piece of bamboo anywhere away from my power tools, my coping saw can do the job.

The Coping Saw
- is inexpensive ($5-6)
- can take tough handling
- has easily replaceable blades (no blade sharpening required)
- blades are reasonably inexpensive
- cut well (fine teeth)
- also good for cutting out certain holes, slots and
for curved cuts.
A Drawback - straight, very accurate cuts are harder
to control. The wider blade works better for straight cuts.

""""" Coping Saw BLADES """""

Coping saw blades are about 6 - 6 1/2 inches long.
15 -16 cm long
( there are also smaller models)

These blades sizes that are generally available(USA)
that work great with bamboo:
(TPI-Teeth per inch)
These are pin-end type blades.
- 15 - 17 TPI for rough cuts - may cause frayed edges
- 20 TPI (Fine)- with narrow blade width ( .080 inch)
- 32 TPI - with wider blade (1/4")
Coarser tooth (lesser tpi) are also available, but they tend to
cause more fraying.

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1Mvc-100f.jpg
Coping Saw and blades (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=590)
Narrow blade - 20TPI ; Wide blade 32TPI

*** tools painted bright colors are less likely to get
lost in the grove
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1Mvc-101f.jpg
Coping Saw Blades - Close-up, side angle. (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=591)
Background 20TPI;Foreground 32TPI

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1Mvc-102f.jpg
Coping Saw Blades - Close-up, view from above. (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=592)
Left 20TPI; Right 32TPI

Mark