Fretsaw, jeweller’s saw & coping saws

The fretsaw is a general workshop machine. These can be used to cut very detailed shapes and they are supplied with different types of blade according to the material that is to be cut. It is used to cut and shape light materials such as perspex, MDF and plywood.


Coping saw	Jeweller’s saw	Powered fretsaw

Use

The general rule is that the thicker the material, the slower the machine operator pushes the work against the blade.
The blade is always set up in the fretsaw with the teeth pointing downwards. If the blade is set up the wrong way round, with the teeth pointing upwards - when the fretsaw is turned on the material will lift from the table and the blade may shatter.

Safety

Although powered fretsaws are common machines they are still dangerous if the operator is careless and if he/she does not keep in mind safe working practices.

It is important to use the guard is this is the first line of defence if a blade breaks.
Goggles should also be worn for eye protection.
The operator should know where the ‘on’ the ‘off’ buttons are and be able to use them quckly.
The material should be fed into the blade slowly and it needs to be gently held down on the table of the machine as this will prevent it from vibrating.
The fretsaw should not be turned off whilst the blade is cutting the material especially if the material is then moved - this could twist the blade and it could be broken or damaged the next time the fretsaw is turned on.

Coping saws are used for cutting a range of woods and are very useful for cutting unusual shapes or curves. In a modern workshop these shapes are normally cut using machine fretsaws. However, there are times when these machines are not available. Also, using a coping saw is a test of skill as it can be difficult to control and requires practice.


	FITTING THE BLADE
	The blade is 150mm in length and at each end there is a pin that holds the blade to the frame. To fit a new blade the frame has to be flexed (shown above) usually by applying a little pressure. The blade fits into two slotted pins on the frame of the coping saw and when pressure is released, the frame springs back to its original shape, holding the blade in position.

Care must be taken when fitting the blade so that the teeth point towards the handle. If the blade is fitted the opposite way the coping saw will be very difficult, if not impossible, to use.
	A coping saw can be used to cut shapes in the middle of a piece of material. First, the blade is removed from the coping saw and then passed through a hole that has been drilled. The blade is then fitted to the coping saw frame. The saw can then be used in the normal way, cutting the ‘internal’ shape.