Has anyone tried the Tracy Owen Scrapers?

[Dan Forman]

Has anyone here tried these? http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Turning_Tools___Special_Purpose_Tools___Tracy_Owen _Fine_Finishing_Tools___htt_tracy_owen?Args=

Looks like an interesting approach. I've always felt that holding a flat scraper at an angle is a dodgy proposition, hard to keep it steady against the downward force of the object. Thinking of taking the plunge, but curious if anyone can give a first hand account of them.

Dan

[Reed Gray]

Interesting concept. I have felt for a number of years, that scrapers should have the edges rolled like a skew does cause I use them for finish cuts a lot, and it would make rolling it up on its edge easier.

robo hippy

[Mike Stephens]

I have had my eye on them. Search for Tracy Owens on youtube. He has 2 videos demonstrating his scrapers. They look like a winner.

[John Keeton]

I studied these, and thought the concept was very unique, and then decided to order the
Benjamin's Best 1" HSS Versa Chisel (http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCVERSAX.html), from PSI for $20. The profile appears to be nearly identical, and it does work very well as a scraper - though I don't use a scraper much. It also will function as a skew and leaves a very smooth surface needing nearly no sanding. I played with it on turning some larger beads, but didn't care for that use so much.
http://www.click-2-customer.com/cust_images/d8aa0892-16d0-102d-a83e-00065bf3fffb/LCVERSAX/100 (http://www.click-2-customer.com/content/link.php?aid=d8aa0892-16d0-102d-a83e-00065bf3fffb&link_id=171405&to=1289915617657930&template_id=471&date=2011-01-13+07%3A02%3A12)

[Steve Schlumpf]

First time I've heard anything about these particular scrapers... looks like a pretty good idea! Would be interested in hearing from someone who has used them.

[Reed Gray]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn1ZM0Z0CFI

Ahhh! The wonders of a shear cut with a scraper for finishing. Nothing I can't do with my standard scrapers; inside, outside and round nose. I do like the rounded profile. A non bevel rubbing cut. The higher the shear angle, the finer and cleaner the cut. Another advantage to the roundnose, it can cut either to right or left. The inside and out side are not as rounded as my scrapers, but perform the same. This makes mine better for standard scraping roughing cuts. Even if I could wear my current scrapers out before my birth certificate expires, I probably wouldn't buy them.

robo hippy

[Tim Rinehart]

John Jordan uses similar technique with a tool he markets... http://www.johnjordanwoodturning.com/John_Jordan_Woodturning/Tools_and_More.html
I bought one at a symposium and it works well, but much of this technique seems pretty much consistent with use of a bowl gouge to shear scrape as well...here's one vid showing technique.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXcHLJZi_zk
This is a technique that will cure some of the worst tearout issues with wood, and provides less need for agressive sanding, but demands a constant attention (as always) to keeping a keen edge. It's also a terrific technique (IMHO) for gentle removal of very small amounts of material for refining an outside shape.

[Dan Forman]

Still thinkin'. :)

Dan

[Bernie Weishapl]

Nope haven't tried them but they sure look interesting.

[Mike Peace]

.."Benjamin's Best 1" HSS Versa Chisel, from PSI for $20. The profile appears to be nearly identical,

John, I can't tell what the profile for the Versa Chisel is from the PSI web site. Is it flat or rounded on the bottom and how thick is it?

[John Keeton]

Mike, the Versa Chisel is completely rounded on the bottom, and the 1" is 1/4" thick. I am not sure on the thickness of the smaller ones.

[Neil Strong]

A replaceable scraper tip mounted on a round bar will do the same thing.

Cheap if you make the bar and handle yourself and just buy the tip. e.g. Sorby scraper tip like this (http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/90218-01-500.jpg) or Henrey Taylor tip here. (http://www.axminster.co.uk/henry-taylor-henry-taylor-replacement-tip-for-multi-tip-tool-prod822033/)

And, if you want to scrape inside hollow forms, an articulated head mounted on your own shaft will do the job. e.g Munro scraper head like this (http://www.axminster.co.uk/rolly-munro-standard-shear-scraper-holder-kit-prod822093/) or Woodcut's option (http://www.carbatec.com.au/woodcut-scraper-set_c19838).
.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Hmm. Maybe a use for my Sorby Spindlemaster.... Never used it in scraper mode yet.

[Ryan Baker]

I have been watching those and they are definitely on my acquisition list.

I have a Jordan-style tool and don't care for it much at all. I'm not a big fan of the Sorby scrapers for this either, though I do use them sometimes. I normally use a large square-end scraper. The problem with that is that the shear cutting angles can create some awkward positions at times. The round bodies on the Owen scrapers should be a big step up. It's the luxury approach to shear scraping though, not the economic version.

[Harry Robinette]

Hi all
I been using sorby multi-tip with the large half round tip the shaft is round like Owens and the tip can be adjusted to the shape of your curve.This tool works great inside and with the flat rotated around I can do the outside.Tool has enough mass to carrie itself no chatter and leaves a beautiful finish.DO NOT use the tool with a burr hone the burr off and it well cut really fine shavings in a shearing mode.MHO.
Harry

[Dan Forman]

Mike, the Versa Chisel is completely rounded on the bottom, and the 1" is 1/4" thick. I am not sure on the thickness of the smaller ones.

That's about the same as the Sorby Spindlemaster. The Owens tools are half the thickness of the bar they are made from, which would give them nearly twice the mass.

[Dan Forman]

Hi all
I been using sorby multi-tip with the large half round tip the shaft is round like Owens and the tip can be adjusted to the shape of your curve.This tool works great inside and with the flat rotated around I can do the outside.Tool has enough mass to carrie itself no chatter and leaves a beautiful finish.DO NOT use the tool with a burr hone the burr off and it well cut really fine shavings in a shearing mode.MHO.
Harry

Have to try that with my Monster handle and rig. Thanks for the tip about not using a burr.

Dan