The primary use of a coping saw in woodworking is for making curved cuts. This specialized saw features a thin, narrow blade that is held in tension between a U-shaped frame, allowing for intricate cutting and maneuvering around curves and angles. Its design allows woodworkers to create precise shapes that would be difficult to achieve with other saws.
In contrast, cutting thick lumber typically requires a different type of saw, such as a table saw or a circular saw, which are designed for straight, long cuts through denser material. Joining two pieces of wood involves methods like gluing, nailing, or doweling, which do not utilize a coping saw. Similarly, driving nails is accomplished with a hammer or nail gun, not a saw, highlighting the unique application of the coping saw for detailed, shaped cuts in woodworking projects.