Scrapers

[DMH1112]

I have been told to get a straight and a goose neck scraper to smooth my work. What is a good maker of scrapers? How do I use a scraper? Also I am supposed to put a burr on scrapers but how do I do that?

Thanks

[DMH1112]

I found scrapers that would work for what I need. They are made by two cherries and I think that they are high quality. Though I also found a set of the two I need and one other. These are them.

Amazon.com: Two Cherries 520-5070 Gooseneck Scraper: Home Improvement
Amazon.com: Two Cherries 520-5750 Scraper with Prepared Edges: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Hardened Curved Scraper Set, Two Cherries From Germany..: Home Improvement

Which should I get? Should I get a burnisher with them or use a drill bit? Other than a burnisher(drill bit) what will I need to sharpen them? I have a double and single cut file that I think will work.

[mateo]

you don't need em. IMO, you only need Profiles 2,5,7, and a few 9's. in say 4, 10, 20 mm. you can do anything with these and a V tool(maybe 8-10 mm). The 9 and 7's for shaping and the 5's and 2's for smoothing and finishing. A way to keep em sharp and a mallet to drive them is all you need to play this game. No scrapers, no sandpaper required. My opinion.

[sebastiaan56]

Like a lot of other tools scrapers are easy to make. Just cut up an old handsaw blade. The big advantage of making them is that you can have a profile for a specific need. There are plenty of sharpening tutes around on the net. You can raise an edge with the shank an old twist drill. Scrapers when properly sharp will give a much better surface for finishing than sandpaper. Good luck!

[doris]

i agree with mateo, you don´t need scrapers for carving. like he said, only a few basic chisels,,,to get the work smooth, all is needed you can sharpen them chisels properly...

[AlArchie]

Funny thing about carving........You don't NEED scrapers. You don't NEED a pocket knife. You don't NEED a bench knife. You don't NEED a chip carving knife. You don't NEED a detail knife. You don't NEED sandpaper, and you don't NEED chisles and gouges.

BUT you can USE any and all of them with great sucess. There are so many approaches to this wonderful hobby that I'd suggest you try as many different methods as you have time for and can afford.

Al

[mateo]

Ahhhh, I love the smell of hyperbole, in the morning. Of course as I said in my last post, that's just my opinion. Maybe some folks don't..........

[AlArchie]

Mateo, the only reason I over emphasized the"need" issue is because I like to encourage trying as many techniqes as possible. The original post was a question about technique and product quality. I didn't mean to put down your opinion, but simply meant to address the issue of the many approaches, techniques and tools used in the carving processes. For many carvers, scrapers are an integral part of their tool box. I have a few and consider them to simply be a flat chisle with a steep bevel.

I do apologize for appearing confrontational, though.

Al

[Rockhead]

A thicker heavier scraper is great for shaping and smoothing, the thinner ones are great for final smoothing, touch-ups and smoothing finish coats.

They can be purchased or made from flat steel (i.e. old hand saw blades) I've even known people who have used broken glass (not recommended) and stones.

Sharpening scrapers is pretty easy, but takes a bit of practice. There are many tutorials on the web, but the basics are - (add a drop of oil to each step except 5)
1) File the edges square with a flat file. I also slide the flat side along a sharpening stone to remove any burr from filing.
2) Lay the scraper flat on a hard smooth surface. Workbench top, or something similar.
3) Draw a harder than the scraper steel rod (chisels may be used as well) across the edge at a very slight angle (a degree or less) tilted down towards the edge. This will draw the steel out a bit.
4) Clamp the scraper in a vise, edge up, and draw the rod across at a steeper angle to create a cutting burr. I usually start at about 2-3 degrees and after a couple strokes increase to about 5. With the thicker scrapers I'll go to 10 about degrees.
5) Test. Refine as needed.

As it dulls, you should be able to redraw the edge burr (the cutting "blade") with the steel rod. After several sharpenings you may need to redo from steps 1-5)

You can use a flat filed scraper as is, but they work smoother and produce much better results when properly sharpened.


Good luck ;-)

[RUssL.]

Message Board member Brian Bailey included the "how to" of sharpening scrapers in a recent issue of WCI. The main thrust of the article was a bowl he carved. I believe it was cherry.

Look at the magazine index to locate the article. It was in the last issue or the one previous to that.

RussL.