Scraping tools...

[hhughh]

Here's a complete newbie question for you. I've read where glass/bone/etc. can be used for scraping. What about a dulled chisel, screwdriver, etc. Way off base? Don't shoot, just asking.......

Hugh

 

[Roy]

Sharp is the idea and a chisel works well in tight areas.

 

[J.D.]

Scrapers made from the items you mention are too soft for extended use. They will not hold an edge.

Though glass is harder than bone or antler, it will chip, leaving small bits of glass in the stock. It's also hard to shape.

IMHO, Bone and antler make good burnishers, but not good scrapers.

A dull chisel or screwdriver will not scrape, they need to be scary sharp to work properly.

You can make your own scrapers, depending on what equipment you may have, from circle saw blades, hay rake teeth, or any high carbon scrap steel you can find. Old worn out files bought cheaply at yard sales also provide good steel.

An acetelyne or a mapp torch will probably be enough to heat the scrap steel for bending or shaping with a hammer. A decent grinder is necessary for stock removal. Hardening can be accomplished with a torch, or with a home made forge.

An internet search on "scrapers", woodworking tools, or some such should bring up tons of information on scrapers.

J.D.

 

[Jim-Iowa]

There is a number of things in my shop that will be used for scrapers. One that I have found to provide excellent steel is an old Rusty handsaw (doubt it would have brought fifty cents at a garage sale)the previous owner left in my garage.
And the rust adds patina :grin:
I have never thrown out a saw blade for my circular, bandsaw,table saw, or sawzall.
It's about time to make some scrapers.

 

Take a look at Brookstone's catalog. They have hardened steel scrapers that work very well. They take off a small amount of material with each pass, are easy to control, cheap and even easier to maintain. All you need to do is bring up the edge with a kind of butchers steel. I had a set years ago and loaned them to my brother. Ya.....

 

[Vaino]

I use "Red Devil" single edged razor blades and remove the knife edge on the disk sander and then run the new flat edge on a fine stone to raise a burr. It's a simple job to contour these blades on a sander for various shapes and radii and they "shave" quite well and are cheap. Of course I don't use them to finish a stock, instead I rely on various grades of sandpaper.....Fred

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Here are a set of scrappers I made up over 30 years ago when was in Alaska. Moose antler palm tine handles and allen wrenchs for the (very good) steel, they still get used on a regular basis for inletting locks and other inlay work.

 

[J.D.]

Excellent work. These scrapers prove that with a little imagination and a little heat, one can work wonders.

 

[Runner]

For barrel channels, wood lathe chisels let you use both hands on the chisel for good control, and allow fast removal of wood.