Coping

[ifit]

Coping to me is getting through the day

 

[Daver]

Yes, thank you Dave. I hope I get it now.

Coping  = shape similar stuff for seamless fit
Scribing = shape different stuff for seamless fit.

That's what I was taught but I'm always interested to learn what others may know.

 

[CrazyLarry]

Peter's description sounds the most accurate (at least in terms of what I understood the two processes to mean)

Scribing is usually about differing materials and a probably irregular shape or pattern that the material you are fitting needs to be adapted to.

Coping is usually similar materials with a regular shape or pattern than one of them needs to be adapted (cut) to fit for a seamless join.

I'm sure there are however cases that bend or break either or both of these but the general meaning seems to be the same both sides of the atlantic ... for once!

 

[Daver]

Tom, Peter, thanks you both for your explanation, I now understand the difference better. It still seems like the exact same thing to me, but apparantly the material you do it on is important and I didn't know that.

Alex,

This may clarify (or make less clear) the distinction.

For me, coping involves 'joinery' in a sense.
When I cope I'm joining 2 similar parts... 2 pieces of crown (or baseboard, etc.), a stile and rail, etc.
Specific to moldings, I was taught coping can provide a superior to joint to (even perfect) miters on an outside corner.

Scribing is fitting 2 'dissimilar' pieces... a cabinet base to a floor, a door casing to a wall, etc.

Hope this helps.

Dave

Of course I meant to state, "I was taught coping can provide a superior joint to (even perfect) miters on an INside corner."
[oops]  [scratch chin]  [jawdrop]

Dave