Improved Coping Saw

[Bob Smalser]

As the lads I'm writing for have made good progress in the last year, the next article I write for them is gonna be on something a bit more complicated than basic tools and joinery:

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It's an improved coping saw....more blade tension that in the commercial models....good enuf to cut dovetails with.

Also making a run of 8 to demonstrate some precision technique applicable to any multiple or furniture project.

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I’m still playing with how light I can get them without risk of breakage, but the unfinished trial saw cuts two-pass dovetails in hard maple like butter and with enuf accuracy to clean up with 3 chisel strokes. Not too bad considering zero practice with a brand new design.

And the blade twangs to a nice high “C”.

Will finish the article and post the design when I get it all worked out.

Caulking mallets (accurate Drew replicas) will be later this winter when my blacksmith partner and I are freed up from summer projects and I finish negotiating the price of original "black" mesquite.

[Gary Max]

Bob I like that. Is there any chance of buying one from you???
I have been a big fan of yours for quite some time--- here and over at another site.
If you are willing PM me
Thanks

[Bob Smalser]

My wish is for you to make your own, Gary.

I've a large volunteer crew job coming up in a month or so involving framers and finish carpenters and these are the thankyou gifts.

But if I ever put one of these up for sale, I'll let you know...I have your PM.

[Gary Max]

Thanks Bob

[Roger Barga]

Hi Bob,

If I read your message correctly, you will be publishing an article on this? If so, where and when will it appear? I would certainly look forward to reading it and making one of these for myself.

Thanks,
Roger

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

Bob, your knowledge and creativity never ceases to amaze me. I enjoyed every article I have read, and I have learned more from your teachings than most could learn from volumes of any text. Thanks for sharing your insight and talent with your fellow woodworkers. You are truly a one-of-a-kind in my eyes...............keep up the great work! Just wondering Bob..............do you EVER sleep? :D

[Bob Smalser]

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Finished the trial saw tonite with a light coat of boat soup…the one with the worst piece of wood and as light as I dare make it. Goes to a finish carpenter pal tomorrow at coffee …a gent doing trim the old-fashioned way in high-end homes…with instructions to use it hard and report back.

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We’ll see how it holds up.

[Tom Sontag]

Bob,

Awesome as always. May you live to spew out this kind of stuff for another 50 years.

But clearly this is principally a small frame saw with a coping blade, yah? So my naive question is this: when does a frame saw become a coping saw? Size or blade type or...? And while I like your tensioning system, what made you decide to improve on the old string method? Your method seems a bit more solid, but how does it effect balance etc.? If answering these violates the article rights, then just say "very interesting points Tom"

[Bob Smalser]

No patent rights here, Tom....just a refinement of frame saws I've been making for decades outta scaps...the first ones being copies of somebody elses. They are all frame saws, but with different functions.

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Coping and Fret Saws

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Tage Frid Danish Bowsaw and English Turning Saw

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Resaw.

Without rawhide, which doesn't stretch, the Spanish Windlass designs don't tighten as easily, completely or precisely as quarter-inch drill rod and 1/4X20 threads....and the drill rod doesn't weigh enuf more to matter. When you make yours, make a couple and if you want more weight down low, either leave more meat there or drill holes, add some molten lead, and cover with bungs.