Crowned scraper (no, not Crown, crowned)

[Chris Barnett]

Year before last, or probably the year before, saw a heavy duty bowl scraper that had a slight crown instead of being round. The slight curve would (maybe) help prevent catches typical of a flat scraper but would provide more tangent contact than a round nose. The scraper was shown as one of a family of lathe tools; perhaps three or four different manufacturers lathe tool assortments were shown in a well-known company catalog similar to products offered by perhaps Craft Supply, Hartville Tools, or similar outlet.

A flat nose scraper could be purchased and ground, but....would perhaps rather identify the company that had/has that type scraper. Crowned is more the shape than round; seems a different word was used in the description but cannot remember the term they used which so well described the tool.

Would someone have seen that tool or known who makes it?

Thanks for any help.

[Jamie Donaldson]

Chris- the only tool that I know of similar to what you describe is a Continental style spindle gouge turned upside down at the grinder and ground with a fairly blunt bevel similar to a regular round nosed scraper. It is then used like a flat scraper, but with the concave side down on the tool rest, and reported to be less catchy than a flat scraper with burr.

[Richard Jones]

Henry Taylor makes a round edge scraper similar to what you're describing. Craft Supplies has it: http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Turning_Tools___Bowl_and_Spindle_Tools___Henry_Tay lor___Henry_Taylor_Round_Edge_Shear_Scraper___htt_ round_scraper?Args=

[Chris Barnett]

Looked at the CS tools but that is not it, so went to Google and found it (actually two). Hamlet has three versions from super heavy duty at 1 1/2-inch x 3/8 to 1 x 3/8, the size I would prefer. They also list square and round ends as well, so the domed end version must be the one. Only problem is it's in the UK. Also found the Crown version which is 1 1/2 x 3/8 which is wider than I want, and there is no info that separates it from a simple round end scraper...picture shows the typical round end. Had looked and looked at catalogs with no luck. Thanks for the help..would probably not have thought to check Google.

[bob edwards]

If I understand what you are looking for, how about Henry Taylor tools at Packard Domed Scrapers are only available in a Heavy Duty size. http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=packard&Category_Code=tools-tayl-diam-hds

I have a 1/2" Robert Sorby from Woodcraft Supply that I love

[Chris Barnett]

Thanks Bob...that Taylor domed is it! But...what is the Sorby you have? Is it the hardwood scraper, the only slightly curved Sorby that I have found? Not having used Taylor will look up the info on its material properties. Thanks again.

[Reed Gray]

I would think of a domed scraper as being one for shear cuts on a bowl, or for smoothing out the bottom of a platter or bowl when the gouge isn't working properly. The only time I use a square ended scraper is in boxes, and that is for going down the sides and cutting the tenon or mortise, not for smoothing out the bottom. The square edge tends to leave torn fibers when the edge has passed, where a more rounded profile will make a smoother and cleaner cut. You can buy scraper stock from Doug Thompson and grind your own profile. For a domed one, that is simple. For a more traditional round nosed scraper, that takes a bit of grinding time. Perhaps another benefit of the more rounded profile, and the less catch prone shape is that with the square nose, you tend to get all of the metal into the wood at once. If you are not prepared for that, it can over power you. With a round nose, the nose contacts first, then, depending on how hard you are pushing, the rest of the blade can come gradually into the wood. Having over an inch of metal into the wood for cutting takes having the tool rest close to the wood, a long handle, and a sure grip.

robo hippy

[bob edwards]

Chris, I don't know if you are still checking this thread but this is the Sorby I got from Woodcraft:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...ound-Nose.aspx (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005160/4115/Extra-HeavyDuty-Scraper-12-Round-Nose.aspx)

I also have a Crown 1" X1/2" :http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...e-Scraper.aspx (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003728/24323/CROWN--PROPM-1-Round-Nose-Scraper.aspx)
This one is a real hog. I find it just a little difficult to control. My favorite is still the Sorby.

Let me know what you decide!!

Bob Edwards
San Antonio

[Bernie Weishapl]

I use these two in bowls. I have a domed scraper and I still get catches if I am not careful.
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=packard&Product_Code=104046&Category_Code=tools-tayl-diam-hds

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=packard&Product_Code=104049&Category_Code=tools-tayl-diam-hds