Fret Saw vs Coping Saw – Buy The Correct Saw
There are a whole lot of different types of saws available in the market. But let’s talk about two most basic types- a fret saw and a coping saw. A fret saw is a saw used by carpenters for making some complex and smaller cuts. A coping saw is almost similar to a fret saw, but using these two different types of saws will lead you to different results.
Are you looking for the correct saw type to purchase for your woodworking? Here’s an article that’ll help you make the right choice between a fret saw and a coping saw. Read ahead to know more about them.
What is the difference between a fret saw and a coping saw?
A fret saw, also known as a bow saw because of its design, is generally used for extremely complex and fine cutting. It can subsume tight curves, and its appearance seems odd generally because of its frame’s depth. When compared to a coping saw, a fret saw has very shallow blades, and this is why it can make tight curves. Some woodworkers prefer using an electric fret saw, which is known as a scroll saw. However, the normal fret saw and electric fret saw both works and cut similarly.
A coping saw is known for cutting coped joints, and it is used for perfectly cutting external and internal shapes and cutouts. It has a much thicker blade as compared to a fret saw, and it cuts more roughly than a typical fret saw.
How to use a coping saw correctly?
For using the coping saw correctly, place its teeth on the line where you need to cut and push it in a short stroke to start cutting. Now, continue to cut in the line in the same manner until you get your finished result. With some practice, you’ll be able to get the hang of it. For safety measures, please keep your hands away from its teeth, that it, the blade.
What are the advantages of fret saw and a coping saw?
One of the most significant benefits of using a fret saw is that it is perfect for intricate and fine cutouts. It can cut smaller and much tighter cuts. A fret saw also has a longer frame meaning it is outstretched from the blades. A longer frame implies that it is extremely useful when you are cutting at a distance from the edge of your material.
A coping saw is very useful when cutting long and narrow materials. Also, a coping saw cuts much more faster than a fret saw. It has a deeper “throat” and allows us to cut through the material without turning the blades. A coping saw also gives a more controlled cut, and it can cut through a hole as well. They are usually used for cutting wood moldings.
What are the disadvantages of a fret saw and a coping saw?
The blades of fret saws tend to break very easily, and almost all of them require tuning. Thus the biggest disadvantage of a fret saw is that it is very fragile. Fret saws are also very slow than the coping saws. Their blades are smaller and thinner than the coping saws meaning that they aren’t very useful in cutting long and narrow materials.
The disadvantage of a coping saw is that it cannot cut as finely and intricately as a fret saw. They also cannot cut very deeply into the material. Another disadvantage is that a coping saw does not cut as sharply as a fret saw does.
Fret Saw vs Coping Saw – Which one is better?
In a nutshell, both frets saw and coping saw is good to use. You can use either one and get good results in your woodworking. It majorly depends on what type of woodworking you do, and you are interested in. Coping saws are usually easily available in the market, which is why they are more commonly used and more popular. It is obvious that industrial scroll saws and powered coping saws give much better results than the hand saws as the former gives faster cuts and has more applications.
I hope you would have found this article to be helpful for your questions and helped you learn how to use a coping saw correctly. It takes practice and you need to apply the work process in a pattern.
