A coping saw for metal

[Thomas GudeParticipant @thomasgude37285]

Hello,

Silly question – What would I call a coping saw that can be used on metal and where can I find one?

I want to cut curves and shapes out of aluminium sheet and so a hacksaw would not be up to it. I seem to remember a tool that looked like a coping saw but instead of the saw blade it has a tensioned needle file type blade.

Please help as the DIY stores don't seem to have anything that will work.

Cheers

[Thomas GudeParticipant @thomasgude37285]

What are they called?

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Piercing saw?

Martin

[Thomas GudeParticipant @thomasgude37285]

That's the one! Cheers Martin

Although I just googled it and a website says "Used for fine metalwork by jewellers, clockmakers and all skilled craftsmen"

Not for me then! haha!

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Gigily wire..or at least thats what I think I heard….sort of wire saw used by jewellers. ..or farmers for dehorning cattle..well the farm stuff seams very blunt

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Fret saw?

Edited By Ady1 on 17/03/2014 18:14:36

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

Hi
A fret saw. piercing saw . will be fine . As John I use a scroll saw for brass & steel . also I have fitted a file so to use it as a die filer . I have some Abrafiles but use the scroll most of the time
Nobby

[maurice bennieParticipant @mauricebennie99556]

Hi Thomas remember to always have the teeth facing the handle .A piece of plywood with a "V" cut into it clamped horizontally on the bench with the "V" over hanging will give a solid base to cut down on .To cut very thin metal a piece of thin ply ( wasted wood) over the "V" .The only thickness cut is governed by the size of the teeth and a gentle hand..Good luck Maurice

[maurice bennieParticipant @mauricebennie99556]

Hi again Thomas Try MANCHESTER MINERALS for jewellery saw and blades .Maurice.

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

What you want is a Piercing Saw. They are are not very expensive, and the blades are remarkably cheap. If you've never used one before, be prepared to break lots of blades. Here's a place you can get them *LINK*

[Thomas GudeParticipant @thomasgude37285]

Yes, seeing as the piercing saw blades are sold 144 at a time I presume they are pretty delicate. Hard to find a metalworking fret saw. I think the Abrafile is what I had in mind – strange how no-one has taken up the mantle of making these. Obviously there is not much demand..

[GaryMParticipant @garym]

Is this tile saw blade any use Thomas?

**LINK**

Gary

[Mick DParticipant @mickd41895]

If a piercing saw is too small for your needs you could look at abrafile blades

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

If you want to saw intricate shapes in metal, there is really no substitute for piercing.

The photo shows the offcuts from a job, one offcut is 0.8mm brass sheet and the other is 3.0mm stainless steel sheet, both were cut using a 6/0 piercing blade – that's .007" thick and .014" deep.

Sizes of piercing saw blades can be found HERE

Gary

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Keep a bit of candle with you while you cut, and use it to lubricate the blade, don't push it, just let the blade cut at it's own speed. Ian S C

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Yep Thomas

A piercing saw is the correct tool. To start with you are likely to break a lot of blades but, by working steadily and carefully you will soon get the hang of it. Work with the blade upright and with the teeth facing downwards. Don't force it use steady strokes and let the blade do the work – what's more relax, work steadily and take your time. When youv'e finished cutting with the saw finish off with a fine file.

Here are a couple of bits I made for a clock where I used the piercing saw

 

 

It is very rewarding!

Regards

Norman

Edited By NJH on 19/03/2014 13:26:58

[John OlsenParticipant @johnolsen79199]

I've also seen them called jewellers saws, I guess it depends which school you went to. Both of mine have a limited throat, about three inches, but if you need more you can use the same blades in a normal fretsaw frame. You do need to do the wingnuts up a bit tighter than usual or the blade will slip, which tends to be hard on them.

The blades seem to be available in more than one size, I have them ranging up to nearly a normal fretsaw blade and down to really fine. A very handy device.

John

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

"Nose grease" also works well – you simply wipe your finger and thumb down the side of your nose, where it meets your cheeks, then wipe the same finger and thumb along the saw blade. You can misplace a candle, but your nose is always handy.

Gary

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Vallorbe piercing saw blades also available from Cooksons

Edited By Katy Purvis on 19/06/2015 09:51:05

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

The thing with the piercing saw frame is that you can use the broken blades by adjusting the width of the frame. I can just imagine a face with two black stripes. Ian S C

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