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Tips & Techniques

Better Coping With a Jigsaw

Five tips for achieving better results when coping trim.

Issue 324 - July 2024

You can achieve fast and accurate results coping trim with a jigsaw. It’s especially handy when working with thick stock. Here are a few tips that will help you achieve better results. For starters, always cut with a sharp blade. I use Bosch T244D blades, the same ones recommended by Collins Tool Co., the maker of the coping foot I use. When you’re ready to make the cut, make sure your trim is held firmly in place. Holding the saw upside down will give you a clear view of exactly what the blade is doing. I like to have the body of the saw ride along on one finger from my free hand. I find this adds stability and gives me a better feel for what the blade is doing. And it’s always a good idea to practice on a few scrap pieces first.

— Marlon Rodriguez; Chicago. Drawing by Martha Garstang Hill.

From Fine Homebuilding #324

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Large-Capacity Lightweight Miter Saw

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