Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Rasping Technique problem
Tim Caley - North Little Rock
>It seems like whenever I use a rasp, I can't get the two sides of the board to come out the same. One side is always higher that the other. I am right handed and the left side always comes out higher than the right. Any suggestions to improve my technique?
Re: Rasping Technique problem
L. Hanson
>If you are referring to using a rasp when say, doing a final shaping of a flat piece like a tenon - here's a few to start off with:
Use a marking gauge, and keep an eye on how close you are coming to the line. Adjust accordingly
Keep the work at or just below your elbow height, so it's comfortable to work along a single plane.
Use both hands, one on the handle and the other at the far end of the rasp.
Use your body motion more than your arm motion - simple physic of levers applies to how your arm traverses the work piece, which can lead to a bowed shape. Work more by swinging or turning your body along with the stroke of the rasp.
Make sure the work piece is tightly clamped, allowing for no movement.
HTH - I'm sure others will volunteer more helpful methods...
All good suggestions
Christopher Schwarz
>Leif offers the bang-on advice I was just about to offer.
No. 1 in my book (to repeat Leif's) is to always work to a line, whether it's with a plane, drawknife, spokeshave, rasp, whatever.
One additional tip is to work from one side and then switch around and work to the other.
Eventually, your muscle memory will develop, just like it does when shooting an edge with a plane � it's the same thing.
cms
Re: Rasping Technique problem
Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX
>Also, work in one direction only, then slightly lift the rasp/file on the return trip. They only cut in one direction anyhow, and if you drag it back you dull it.
Pam
Marking Gage
Bob Smalser, Seabeck, WA
>I use a marking gage to scribe the centerline.
Then I use the smoothing or jack plane to to any tapering if required, turning the board on edge and sighting down my centerline to insure all is even.
The I rasp down the edges to whatever taper or radius I need, sighting down the centerline frequently to insure my sides are even.
Thanks everyone!
Tim Caley - North Little Rock
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