Is a coping saw the right tool?

[Snowgum]

Dear Forum member,
I am a terribly new carver and visitor to this forum, and wonder if you could assist with a question. I am looking for the best tool to rough out a carving from a block of lime 6x6x9 inches. The piece I want to carve is an abstract statuette (inspired by visiting the Henry Moore exhibition in London). I don't have a band saw and think it would be premature for me to buy one. What is the next best tool for removing significant wood to get the rough shape? Searching online people seem to suggest a coping saw, but I'd welcome your views.
Warm regards,
Matthew
(Living in London, UK)

[Paul_Guraedy]

Welcome to the WCI Forum. A coping saw will do the job that you described. The main difference between the band saw and the coping saw is the source of the energy to run it. You could have your carving roughed out in a few minutes on the band saw while you will be taking quite a while (time dependent on the variety of wood chosen) to rough it out with a coping saw.

Good luck and hope you enjoy carving.

[Coker]

Matthew
I used a coping saw for a long time when I first started to carve, and it works if you are careful. You have to keep the saw blade square to the wood and take your time. Cutting a piece of stock 6 inches thick will take a lot of caution, thinking about it The saw blade isn't much over 6 inches long, so I don't know if it will work on that thickness. If it does work, just go slow and keep checking that your blade is square to the wood. Good luck in your attempt and happy carving.

Dick

[Paul_Guraedy]

Just adding a little to what Dick said, I would use the coping saw to first "knock off" the corners and not to outline the whole figure. If you need to, you can then come back with the coping saw to remove more excess wood. As Dick said, keeping the saw aligned is paramount in importance. If you do decide to do more outlining of the figure.....watch the pattern on the off side. More than once I have cut off part of my pattern by concentrating on the front side.

[AlArchie]

For larger pieces, you might want to consider a "bow saw". You can buy those or make one (that's what I did). Here's a link to instructions on building tour own.

The Gramercy Tools Bow Saw - Design Considerations at Tools for Working Wood

Al

[Snowgum]

Thank you very much for the advice. The generosity of people online never ceases to amaze me. I will let you know how I get on.
matthew

Could a reciprocating saw be used for roughing out also? Harbor Freight is advertising one with a rotating handle for $19.99.

6 Amp Reciprocating Saw with Rotating Handle

[Claude]

Matthew:
You can use a plain old crosscut handsaw. Here's how: What to do when you don't own a bandsaw.

Claude

[William]

Hi Matthew,
There are lots of good ideas posted here and I have tried most of them, here is another way to add to the others. This carving was about 8"x6"x11", I don't have a band saw either and I've only done two this way but it worked and it's something like Claude did his.

Adjust the blade depth on a circular saw for each control line and then pop out the pieces with a hammer being careful where you place the control lines so you don't remove part of the carving when you use the hammer.

Here is the link where pictures (on the 2nd page) of this way are located.
Bust

Bill

[brent]

Coping saws are good.....but.....don't do as I did and learn the hard way.......make sure the blade isn't a fine toothed blade. I thought I would never get through that 3/4" piece of wood. That's when I figured out that the blade was for fine cuts!

DUH!!!!!!!