Section 4.2 Handsaws 71
to protect the top of the bench. Start the cut by
aligning the saw blade with the guide clamped
to the stock. Slightly raise the handle of the saw
to about 30°–45°. Pull the saw back and make
several short cuts. Slowly lower the handle as the
cut is started until the saw teeth contact the en-
tire face of the stock. Keep the blade against the
guide as you make slow, light strokes. Continue
sawing, making sure that the blade is perpen-
dicular to the face. Reduce the speed and length
of the cut as you approach the other face of the
stock. This helps to avoid splintering the bottom
edge of the cut.
Miter Box Saw
A miter box saw is a type of backsaw that
is usually used with a miter box. A miter box is
a device that guides the saw in making angled
cuts, Figure 4-30. The miter box commonly has
settings for cutting angles such as 45° and 90°. It
is very useful for jobs that require precise angles,
such as cutting molding and picture frames. Ex-
act depths can also be cut on a miter box using a
depth stop. Miter box saws range from 24″ to 28″
in length.
Coping Saw
The coping saw has a replaceable blade fas-
tened in a U-shaped frame. It is commonly used
to cut curves in stock that is 1″ or less in thick-
ness. Use quick, easy strokes with only enough
pressure to keep the saw cutting. Hold the saw
straight to prevent binding.
Two methods are commonly used to hold
stock when cutting with a coping saw. If the
stock is thin (3/8″ or less in thickness), fasten a
V-block to a bench with a clamp to be used as a
platform, or clamp the V-block in the bench vise.
See Figure 4-31. When using this method, the
saw cuts best with a downward stroke. There-
fore, the teeth of the blade should point toward
the handle. When cutting thicker stock (1/2″ or
more in thickness), fasten the stock in the vise,
Figure 4-32. The saw cuts best with a forward
stroke when using this method. The saw teeth
should point away from the handle. Occasion-
ally the stock is handheld, such as when back-
cutting cove molding. The beginner should not
attempt this method, nor should this method be
used if a clamping device is available.
Pin-end and loop-end blades are available
for coping saws. In addition, the number of teeth
per inch for coping saw blades varies. They typi-
cally have from 10 to 32 teeth per inch. Saws with
more teeth per inch produce a fi ner cut.
Figure 4-29. Mark a layout line before backsawing. Figure 4-30. Miter boxes can be shop-built or
purchased at a retail store.
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