Tom Fidgen's new double handled Rasps

[Hilton Ralphs]

These look pretty decent.

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Made by Noel Liogier and can be purchased here (https://theunpluggedwoodshop.myshopify.com/products/two-handed-rasp?variant=1137742970906).


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[Stanley Covington]

These look pretty decent.

367849

Made by Noel Liogier and can be purchased here (https://theunpluggedwoodshop.myshopify.com/products/two-handed-rasp?variant=1137742970906).


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Thanks for posting this. They look very useful for many applications. Have you used them?

Stan

[Hilton Ralphs]

Thanks for posting this. They look very useful for many applications. Have you used them?

Stan

No Stan, I just came across the post recently. I've been meaning to get one of Noel's rasps for ages now but seeing as I have a bunch of Bahco files and Iwasaki rasps I may just spring for one of these double ended jobbies.

[William Fretwell]

Given the short direction of travel (1") they will clearly need more strokes. Some specialised users may be able to justify the price.

[Patrick Chase]

Given the short direction of travel (1") they will clearly need more strokes. Some specialised users may be able to justify the price.

Indeed.

There are two obvious concerns here: Firstly that you're getting less rasp for your money, as they cost basically as much as a much longer Liogier cabinet rasp (traditional finish). Secondly that the taper of an ordinary cabinet rasp is useful for some things, but is missing from these, so they sacrifice some versatility.

EDIT: I've always found that a rag is perfectly safe for gripping the ends of rasps.

[Steve Voigt]

Just a quick observation. The length of travel isn't really relevant here, because as the ad copy clearly states, the teeth are perpendicular to the normal orientation on a rasp.
I'm generally skeptical of fancy rasps, but this is a freakin' genius idea. In fact, I've thought of commissioning a tool like this, but now I don't have to. The exact application shown in the picture--making a closed tote--is what it would be brilliant for. Not so much the top of the tote, as shown in the picture, but rather the rear area, below the horn, and especially inside the closed portion. Using a normal rasp or mill-tooth file here always risks spelching, and it's tricky to keep things flat and square. Turning the teeth 90° solves that problem.
I own zero expensive rasps but I'll probably be ponying up for one of these. It's definitely a specialist tool, and not at all necessary for most woodworking, but if you have a specialized need, it might just be the ticket.
Back to witness protection now…

[Simon MacGowen]

Good insights!

Simon

[steven c newman]

So, instead of a spokeshave, one uses a rasp?

[Patrick Chase]

Just a quick observation. The length of travel isn't really relevant here, because as the ad copy clearly states, the teeth are perpendicular to the normal orientation on a rasp.

Good point. And welcome back!

[Patrick Chase]

So, instead of a spokeshave, one uses a rasp?

People already use rasps for this sort of work (or at least I do). We currently have to either skew the rasp relative to the work (this is where right- or left-handed stitching comes into play), or use a "compound" motion wherein we push the rasp across the work while moving it along the curve. What this does is provide a specialized version that doesn't require those additional techniques.

I'm not sure I'll ever use one, and I still think it's a little expensive for the amount of rasp you get, but I'm warming to the concept.

[Jim Koepke]

I would be happy with a 15 grain choice. I would make my own handles to save a few bucks.

On a good day maybe a 13 and a 15 grain model. Already have those two in Auriou rasps.

Coming to this thread late it made me wonder if anyone had noticed the teeth are perpendicular to what is normal on a rasp. Then Steve stepped out of the shadows and provided clarity.

These would likely be great for shaped chair legs and so many other things.

jtk

[Bruce Haugen]

Just a quick observation. The length of travel isn't really relevant here, because as the ad copy clearly states, the teeth are perpendicular to the normal orientation on a rasp.

So, this is for the woodworking equivalent of draw filing? Does it leave an equivalent finish?

[Hilton Ralphs]

So, this is for the woodworking equivalent of draw filing? Does it leave an equivalent finish?

I don't think so Bruce as the teeth are oriented on the body to scrape perpendicular to the length of the body. My understanding of draw-filing metal is that the teeth on the file are essentially in parallel with the metal whilst you pull it or push it.

Not sure I'm making any sense here.

Put it another way, to draw-file using this rasp you would need to move the rasp side to side, not up and down.

[Patrick Chase]

I don't think so Bruce as the teeth are oriented on the body to scrape perpendicular to the length of the body. My understanding of draw-filing metal is that the teeth on the file are essentially in parallel with the metal whilst you pull it or push it.

No, the teeth of a conventional file are skewed about 15-20 deg. When you draw-file you skew the file by another 30 deg or so, such that the teeth are >45 deg from parallel. This is analogous to how conventional rasps have their points slightly off-axis (left/right-handedness) and then need to be further skewed when drawn to cut effectively.

There are also long-angle files made specifically for draw-filing with teeth skewed at 45 deg, and those can be held straight across the direction of movement while draw-filing. I would say that Tom Fiden's rasp is sort of the rasp equivalent of a long-angle file :-).

[Bruce Haugen]

There are also long-angle files made specifically for draw-filing with teeth skewed at 45 deg, and those can be held straight across the direction of movement while draw-filing. I would say that Tom Fiden's rasp is sort of the rasp equivalent of a long-angle file :-).

Which would be what machinists call "lathe files."

[Patrick Chase]

Which would be what machinists call "lathe files."

The manufacturers (Pferd, Nicholson and Grobet at a minimum) call them "long-angle lathe files" :-)

[Ron Bontz]

I can't really comment on the above mentioned rasp. as I have not used one, but nearly all ( 15 or so) of my rasp are made by Noel. I have been quite happy with them after several hundred handles. I have 2 in particular, custom made by Noel for me, shaped like a large and small butcher knife. 15 grain on both sides with the back being a safe side. It has become one of my favorite rasp. I use it on the top of the horns etc. Spelching is more about technique than the rasp. That being said, I can definitely recommend Noel's rasp and I don't get free tools to do so. :)