Wow, Look at all of the Rasks *LINK*

Disappointment

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>When I saw the message title, I thought that Dan had discovered a whole new WW tool. Alas, he's just talking about rasPs.

I find it necessary not to look at that page, Dan; it's really hard to type when my fingers slip off the soggy-drooly keyboard.

Bill, convincing himself that rust hunting engenders virtue ("Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all have Porsches...")

I know...

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>It's hard to get excited about a Rasp but those are very expensive, and very beautiful.

Now all I need is money!!

Dan Clermont

Wow, I thought Nichlson's

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Were expensive. Dang, maybe I should take up bank robbery. They sure do look nice...

Re: Wow, I thought Nichlson's

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>Yeah, I could never justify the cost of Nicholson's and now I find myself lusting over these.

As my 85 year old boss used to say "It's okay to look at the menu just don't buy anything" or my wifes favourite "It's free to dream".

I need a second job!!!

Dan Clermont

Kinda like...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Like my wife says, You can look but not touch.

Re: Wow, I thought Nichlson's *LINK*

Murray in Palo Alto

>FYI,

Jamestown Distributors still has the #49 and #50 patternmakers rasps on sale. The 49 is $23.55, the #50 is $28.16. This is close to half price.

I bought myself a set for Christmas - a set of very nice tools.


Jamestown Distributors

Re: Wow, Look at all of the Rasks

Wiley Horne--Glendora CA

>Hi Dan,

I'll share a couple of observations with you, but I'm sure no expert, and would highly recommend a conversation with Joel. But here goes......

I have the Grain 11 and Grain 13 Cabinetmaker's rasps, and the Grain 15 Modeller's rasp. Plus a Grain 15 rat tail. To me, the Grains 11 and 13 are pretty similar to Nicholson 49 and 50, respectively.

For me, a typical application for a Grain 11 would be where you've bandsawn a curve, and now you want to remove the kerf lines and fair the curve. Another would be if you've sawn a curve with a coping saw, and now want to dress the edge so it's about square to your eye. A Grain 13 is sorta the entry into fine cuts; maybe a Grain 12 would be, but I own a 13, so that's how it seems to me. A typical application for a Grain 13 would be putting the initial curves on a handmade drawer pull, after you've roughed out the shape by saw. A Grain 15 is exceedingly smooth and fine--to me, it seems like 100g sandpaper or so, except sharper cutting, more control, and it doesn't wear out. A typical application would be the final touchups on a wooden drawer pull before going to 150g or 220g paper.

I would suggest finding other ways to hog wood than with a way-expensive rasp. Given that, I have found that a Grain 11 will square up an edge quickly; a Grain 13 will put the curves on a sculpted piece; and a Grain 15 is for fine detailing, where sandpaper won't get into the crevices or follow arises well enough to suit you. Incidentally, you can't get a long Grain 15--I seem to recall that the max. length is around 150mm. However, you can get a longish Grain 14 (like 200mm) in a Modeller's rasp. I find the added length useful, and just ordered a Grain 14 for this reason.

If you'd like to order one Auriou to see how much you like them, I don't think you'd regret owning a Grain 13 which is good for moderately fine work. This would leave you some options going forward. For coarser cutting, you could go to either a coarser Auriou or a Nicholson 49. And for finer cutting, you could go to an Auriou Grain 14 or 15, or else put PSA sandpaper on shaped sticks.

Wiley

Re: Wow, Look at all of the Rasks

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>Thanks, Wiley. There's been lots of hoopla regarding the Auriou rasps lately, in all the woodworking media. Your's is the first objective comparison I've seen.

Being the satisfied owner and user of Nicholson #49 and #50s (prime and backup of each), your analysis leads me to the following conclusion: I think I should continue to use my #49 and #50, and seriously consider replacing my 8" half round bastard file with the much more refined 15 grain half round Auriou modelmaker's rasp. It looks like it would improve the quality and speed of my work, even at the very dear price. As you noted, it's a bit shorter than what I'm used to, but I think I could get used to it.

Re: Wow, Look at all of the Rasks

Wiley Horne--Glendora CA

>Sir Wm,

Mixing the two fine tool lines and using the Auriou's in the finest grades seems like a good strategy--good strategy for Dan, too, or anyone else. I've noticed there are times when you would like a 'safe edge' like the Nicholson's, and other times you'd like to have the working edge on the Auriou. The pointy tip on the Auriou is really handy.

The Auriou 15 is one of those rare tools that you just can't believe your good luck to have found. Extremely sharp and fine. After the 14 arrives in a day or two, I'll report back on the differences between the 14 and the 15.

Wiley

Re: Wow, Look at all of the Rasks

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>Thanks Wiley,

What you have said makes allot of sense. I'll consider getting a #49 or #50 first and for detail work consider a Auriou where they would excel.

You know, my sister in law bought me a Bastard file for my Brithday. She thought the name of the gift suited the recipient ;)

Take Care

Dan CLermont