Looking for wide round nosed scraper

[robert raess]

In school we used a thick HSS round nosed scraper.I never measured it , but i think it was every bit of an 1 1/2" wide.It also had a smaller diameter turning on the last 3 or so inches [of the handle].Because it was so thick, it wasn't so prone to chatter and catches.I'm trying to avoid Sorby priced tools at this time ,so lets put that in the equation as well. thanks rob

[Wayne Spence]

Penn State Industries has some hss scrapers for 20 to 30 bucks-don't think any are over an inch wide. Look them up.

[alex carey]

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LX130.html

I have this one and it does the job fine.




http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LX120.html

[Bill Bolen]

+1 for Alex's link.

[Dick Rowe]

+2 for Alex's post. I have one of the 1 1/2" units and it works geat.

[Wally Dickerman]

The 3/8 in. thick x 1 1/2 in. heavy duty scrapers are a wonderful tool for many bowl turners. It should be side ground on the left side (right handed turners). Used with a fresh burr and light touch (both are important) it's hard to beat for smoothing up the inside bottom area of a bowl. Many experienced turners including many pros depend on it. I've watched R. Raffan use one many times. He even has one in his line of signature tools.

There's a downside to the tool...It's pricey. You won't find it in most low end lines of tools. Makers such as Sorby, Henry Taylor, Crown, etc. all have them. However, since it's a tool that actually sees little overall use, one tool will last most turners for many years.

I use and recommend the tool in all of my bowl turning classes.

Wally

[robert raess]

Hey Alex, what is the thickness of the 1" scraper? thanks rob

[Greg Haugen]

The problem with "Sorby Pricing" is you're paying for the name. Don't do that. Pay for the "tool". Pay the same amount and get a tool that's several times better.

I'd rather spend money right the first time, and that usually means buying "quality".

I'd recommend Thompson Tools, Doug currently has 1 1/4" scrapers in stock. By far, miles beyond, better steel than even good M2 steel-let alone chinese HSS. They may be a little better than 3 times the price as a $25 psi/china scraper but they're at least 10 to 20 times better quality. With scrapers-burrs matter. If the burr matters, get the best steel you can find.


http://thompsonlathetools.com/






My second recommendation would be Serious Tools.

http://www.serioustoolworks.com/woodturning-scrapers.php

[Nathan Hawkes]

Steve Schlumpf gave me the link for this a while back--I still haven't bought one but still may--1/2" thick by 1 1/8" wide, 16" of TOOL length, not total length. Personally, I'd turn a much longer handle to balance the tool out, but here it is anyway:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000416/3573/WOODCRAFT-Superlong-Bowl-Scraper.aspx

[alex carey]

robert I don't have the 1" i only have the 1 1/2".

The 1 1/2 is 3.7/10's of an inch. I assume the 1" is the same.

[Reed Gray]

Quarter inch is too thin for one that wide. I would want 3/8 or so. I think I got one like that from Doug once. I also got an 'Artisan' one from Craft Supplies, which is their house brand.

The chattering will come from hanging out too far off the tool rest, and with a heavier tool, you can reach out some more. Do not think for an instant that they won't catch, cause they do. Main problem with one that size is that you can get more wood on it at one time than you are used to, and you can get overpowered if you aren't expecting it.

Never use a scraper on the inside of a bowl up near the rim. Vibration, screeching and howling noises, then your bowl blows up.

robo hippy

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I use a 1/2" thick Sorby EHD scraper. Lots of mass.

[John Hart]

I have a pinnacle 1" scraper that I use all the time.
152699

I think I paid a couple hundred for a set...but these as a single piece go for about 50 bucks at WC.

I get nice control and it helps with the sweeping curves I put into vases and the ogees that I like in bowls.

Not the 1 1/2" you're talking about....but I just felt like typing something this morning. :o:)

[Jim Maxwell]

If you can't buy, or are not prepared to pay an inflated price for a tool, make one. I have a scraper made from a piece of 35mm x 10mm. I welded a piece of 12mm round bar about 75mm long to one end for the tang and silver soldered a 50mm long piece of heavy duty hacksaw blade to the top, then ground it to the shape I needed. The heat from the soldering process does not affect the quality of the steel in the hacksaw blade. This will make a fine tool.
Jim

[Jeff Willard]

Henry Taylor makes 'em. 1 1/2 x 3/8 in square, full round, and domed profiles. I've seen them at both CSUSA and Packard's site.

[Bill Wilcox]

I have 2 pieces of 1/2" leaf spring that my Bro in Law has annealed and cut into 1 1/2" & 1 1/4" 16" long by over 1/2". I plan on making a domed scraper and a French scraper. After the shaping is done he will temper them for me. After this is done I will handle them and take some pic's for here.
I like the idea of heavy tools. I find that I have better control especially when working a bit off the tool rest.
My first set of tools were for the Craftsman spindle lathe that I still use however the Jet 1642 does get the majority of my time. My BB 5/8ths bowl gouge is my favorite tool right now for bowls. I also have a tool that Jeff Nicol made that is used for hollowing. I took Jeff's 1/4" tool and put it in a small piece of round stock with handle. I also mad a JN 23/64th" hollowong tool also. For a larger bowl the 23/64th" is a dream to use.

[Mike Spanbauer]

I've been eyeing the extra HD unit that WC carries, it's about 16" of actual scraper steel and 1 1/8" wide by 1/2" thick. It has the funny looking hook at the end, which I assume is for bowl rims initially, but w/ the amount of steel provided you could grind it past that and have a wicked scraper for practically life.

It's only orderable from their website - but it's the largest / beefiest scraper I've seen available.

mike

[Willard Foster]

I made three scrapers last year. Straight, full round and sorta round. I bought a stick (1/2 x 1.5" x 36" long) of A2 from McMaster Carr (or MSC Direct, can't remember). I cut a a tang on one end, the other end I cut and rough ground my profile. I have access to a small milling machine, but you can cut it with a hacksaw, before you have it hardened.

A friend with an oven harden it for me. I think the metal was around $60.00 for the precision ground. Makes a nice heavey tool. Turned the handles out of whatever I had in teh shop.

Bill

[Al Wasser]

Traditional Woodworker sells Hamlet heavy duty scrapers. They have the 1 1/2 in X 3/8 thick for $80. They also have a 1in wide X 1/2 in thick for $77. Both of these qualify for free shipping.