Cabinet scrapers

[Brian Hale]

I'm considering getting this set from Lee Valley.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?ccurrency=2&SID=&category=1,310&page=32633

Any thoughts? I've never used a good scraper (or didn't know how to sharpen it :rolleyes: ) but i understand they're much faster than sandpaper and work well with figured woods.

Brian

[Clint deal]

Hey Brian. I bought one of those when I bought my first card scraper and still use it. It probably does'nt do as well as a real burnisher but it's easier to use.
You still have to polish and square up the scraper before using it. Look around on the web, there are several articles on sharpening scrapers, i just can't think of where they are right now. I think it's the Fine Woodworking site.
I do know the last issue of Fine Woodworking had a nice article on sharpening scrapers and setting up handplanes that helped me out alot
Clint

[Don Abele]

Brian, I am just finishing up a new kitchen table which is made from curly maple. I bought my scrapers (the 3-pack variety) and burnisher from Woodcraft. I had some difficulty getting it honed the right way - it took several attempts. But once I figured it out, it worked really well.

Here's a link to a site that shows how to sharpen them: click here. (http://www.inthewoodshop.org/methods/wwc07.shtml)

Be well,

Doc

[Bob Smalser]

That's an awful lot for money for card scrapers...I'd shop around....you don't need all those fancy jointers and holders.

And here's how to sharpen them:

http://www.cianperez.com/Wood/WoodDocs/Wood_How_To/Smalser_on_TuningCardScrapers.htm

http://www.brendlers.net/oldtools/scraping/scraper.htm

[Brian Hale]

Thanks guys!

I should have mentioned it but... If you scroll to the bottom of the page my link points to you'll see 2 items to "buy". Click on the VIEW link for the second item and a new window shows what's in the set. From their discription, it sounds like it's got all the tools to make an idiot like me produce a usuable scraper.

Brian

[Dennis Peacock]

Yup....I have the whole Veritas scraper setup....file jig, file, variable burnisher and several card scrapers. I wouldn't go any other way. I bought mine in Jan of this year and the price for all of it was about $20 LESS than what they are asking for it now. Very good setup and idiot proof IMHO....cause I have to have stuff that is simple to help reduce my learning curves.! :eek: :D

[Dennis Peacock]

Thanks guys!

I should have mentioned it but... If you scroll to the bottom of the page my link points to you'll see 2 items to "buy". Click on the VIEW link for the second item and a new window shows what's in the set. From their discription, it sounds like it's got all the tools to make an idiot like me produce a usuable scraper.

Brian

Brian, that's the setup.....get it and you'll be glad you did.

[Jim Becker]

I also have the complete Veritas set and have been pleased with hit. Bob is correct that there are far less expensive solutions...but I went with "instant gratification" at the time I bought mine. I just don't have the free time to make stuff like this, although I probably would if the situation were different.

[Steve Jenkins]

A friend of mine showed me a really easy way to achieve a square edge. hold the scraper almost like you were getting ready to use it with thumbs in the middle and fingers around the ends. Bend it slightly and set it edge down. (He uses a diamond stone.) due to the bend it will sit vertically so as you pass it back and forth (length-wise) on the stone it will be square. Steve

[Bob Smalser]

Here's a Two Cherries Card Scraper for all of $3.84:

http://mikestools.com/detail.asp?product_id=520-5750

Can you cut a square rabbet in a block of wood? Sure you can.

http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_Smalser/images/Smalser_Images_CardScrapers/Smalser_Tuning_CardScrapers_002.jpg

http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_Smalser/images/Smalser_Images_CardScrapers/Smalser_Tuning_CardScrapers_003.jpg

http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_Smalser/images/Smalser_Images_CardScrapers/Smalser_Tuning_CardScrapers_004.jpg

http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_Smalser/images/Smalser_Images_CardScrapers/Smalser_Tuning_CardScrapers_005.jpg

http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_Smalser/images/Smalser_Images_CardScrapers/Smalser_Tuning_CardScrapers_006.jpg

http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_Smalser/images/Smalser_Images_CardScrapers/Smalser_Tuning_CardScrapers_008.jpg

Sorry to be such a squeeky wheel on overspending....but for every poster out there recommending something fancy, there's two to a dozen newbie lurkers on tight budgets who are becoming terribly discouraged...

...I get their emails.

[Joe Meazle]

Dennis,

How about a scraper sharpening lesson the next time I am out your way? I would really like to be more profient with mine, as I want to minimize sanding.
Joe

[Gary Bingham]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend it. I bought it when I first started out because I though it would be easier, but now I never use any of them. I occasionally use the jointer, but it really isn't necessary, as Bob has shown above. I never use the holder because I don't really like the way it feels. I like using a scraper by hand better. I never use the burnisher either. I find that it's easier to grab a chisel and just use the back of it instead. It's not the best burnisher, but it does a pretty good job. One of these days I plan on buying some drill stock and making my own burnsiher.

I would either buy the two cherries that Bob posted or a Bahco (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=2&page=32671&category=1,310,41069) . If you really want the lee valley set I'll sell it to you for $40 shipped. It's in barely used condition.

[sascha gast]

do yourself a favor and go bob smalser's route. i have the gizmos, but once you do it bob's way, you won't go back. i know it might be faster, but take the time, true up all the edges really perfect first with a file, then waterstones. i polish mine to 6000, supporting them with a piece of wood to keep them straight.. but really, just make sure that everyshing is square and 90 degrees. i even polish the sides of the scraper.

burnishing them does not take a lot of force. i'm still not done with all my scrapers, but the gizmos are in a closet and i haven't touched them.

sascha

[Brian Hale]

Lots of good input, thanks!

Bob, i greatly appreaciate you putting so much into your response. You make it look simple and being a machinist i've a workbench drawer full of dowel pins and drill rod so build your burnisher would be straight forward.

I'm still waffleing between spending the extra money for the kit or just getting scrapers and teaching myself. This could work out to be a birthday gift from the better half (43 on the 30th!).

It looks like the general opinion is scrapers are a worthwhile addition to the shop......

Hmmmmmmmm

Brian

[Bob Smalser]

The luthier's burnisher is just a fanciful whim...

...works well, but the back of that old Buck Bros gouge also shown in the pics works just as good....just don't turn the edge over too far.

[Ellen Benkin]

You may not want to get the whole kit, but you definitely want the Veritas scraper holder. It holds the scraper blade, gives you a good grip, and can put a bend in it. Much easier than trying to do all that by hand. I've had one for a couple of years and everyone who has "borrowed" it has turned around and bought one.

By the way, scraping also burnishes the wood and gives you a much smoother finish than sandpaper. It's tricky to learn (but easier than learning to use a plane) but once you have it you'll love it.

[Tom LaRussa]

I'm considering getting this set from Lee Valley.
Any thoughts? I've never used a good scraper (or didn't know how to sharpen it :rolleyes: ) but i understand they're much faster than sandpaper and work well with figured woods.
Brian

Brian,

Inspired by Bob Smalser, I made my own (very first) scraper last week.

The metal came from a ruined Marples dovetail pull-saw. (Please don't ask how it got ruined -- it's just too painful. Okay, it's not really painful, just embarassing!)

Anyhow, I chopped out a rectangle with a cutoff blade in my power CMS, filed the edges with a $3.50 flat file from the BORG that I already had, (I use it to "fettle" some of the old planes I've bought on ebay -- another process I'm learning thanks to Mr. S), flattened the sides with some 3M abrasive (I'm working on learning "Scary Sharp" as well), and rolled the burr with an old screw driver.

Total out of pocket materials costs: $0.00

I cut myself a few times during the making of the thing, but nothing serious. And I wouldn't say I'm exactly an expert yet, but I've tried it on pine (or fur, or whatever 2x4s are cut from), as well as some scraps of bloodwood, bubinga, and some type of rosewood.

And...

HOLY COW -- THE THING REALLY WORKS!

[Chris Padilla]

Tom, how much was that ruined Marples dovetail pull-saw?? ;) How many card scrapers can you get out of it?? :D Nice job. :)

[Keith Christopher]

I have this setup, I use it and it works, doesn't make me go wow, but it saves me time and I found it burnishes pretty good. If you have the money go for it.

[Alan Turner]

Brian,
I use Bob's method, basically. Don't use a waterstone unless you want ruts in the stone. I have the teardrop shaped burnisher, and find it handy, esp when doing sections of a curved scraper, such as for moldings.
One thought is to make you own scraper. A Disston sawblade from an otherwise unusable saw is good scraper stock.
I keep one small scraper around with a really heavy turned hook, and use it only for scraping glue lines.
Alan

[Carole Valentine]

Brian,

I would not be without my scrapers. I have a Veritas card with holder, two Distons and three curved ones by Crown. I also have the Veritas Burnisher that lets you set the angle, but I prefer my regular round Crown burnisher.
Whatever scrapers you get, start by flattening the faces. Sharpening takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you will never be without those little pieces of steel again! My scrapers will take the finest transparent shaving you could possibly want. If you can only get dust from your scraper, it's not sharpened correctly. FWW has a great online video which shows you how to sharpen your scrapers.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/wvt088.asp
Hope posting this link is not a violation of the TOS. If the link gets removed, PM me and I will give it to you.

[Jim Engel]

The sharpening tape from Lee Valley shows how
to set up and use card scrappers without any
fancy equipment.