Scraper Question - Recommendation

card scraper

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Get yourself a few card scrapers and a burnisher.Learn to set the hook and take it from there.It is,I think ,one of the handiest tools you can have in you shop.

As to the scraper planes,I'll leave that info to people more experienced with them than I am.---Jack

Yep, Card Scraper First

Mike Fitterling

>Scraper planes and cabinet scrapers are great if mostly what you have to work on are tabletops or other large flat surfaces. But a card scraper is more versatile and can be used in all sorts of situations. Plus, learning to sharpen and burnish a scraper is most easily done with card scrapers. The card scraper is the most often reached for handtool I have, even though I do have a nice LV Scraper plane.

just to be different

Larry Williams

>Rather than the #80 or the #12 1/2 look for a #81 as a scraper plane. I think it just might the best of the scraper planes.

Re: card scraper

David Ramer

>Jack,

Thanks... my thumbs are past the card scraper phase... getting the hook set is not a problem either... but scraping 16 sq. ft. of Ash table top is more than the old thumbs want to take... So, the scraper planes are looking really, really good to me right now!!

Thanks!

Re: Yep, Card Scraper First

David Ramer

>Mike,

Thanks... check response to Jack...

You hit the nail on the head... the Table Tops are driving me to a plane...

Thanks!

Re: just to be different

David Ramer

>Larry,

I am looking at a couple of #81's as well... what makes them better in your opinion?

Still would like some input from folks on the differances between the 80, 81 and 12 1/2 as far as original applications/use and why one is prefered over the other... i.e. balance, weight, performance, cut quality, etc...

Thanks!

Re: just to be different

Skip in Falls Church

>Hi David,

I have a 12 1/2 and it works fine although it can be a little tricky when you get to the end of the board. If I used it more it probably wouldn't be too much of a problem. I've never used an 80 or 81 so I can't comment about either of them.

I think if I had to do it again I'd get a dedicated scraper plane as opposed to the 12 1/2 mostly because I think it'd be easier to control. If you're mostly planning on using it for one table top you can probably pick up a 12 1/2 cheaper than a new scraper plane - and it should work fine. If you think you may be using a scraper a lot, you might want to look at a dedicated scraper plane.

Skip

Then May I Suggest?

Mike Fitterling

>Lee Valley's scraper plane. I have one and love it. The flexible iron is a nice feature compared to the traditional 112 and its clones.

Re: just to be different

David Ramer

>Skip,

Thanks, this is the kind of opinions I am looking for. I will definately look at the scraping planes...

Thanks,

Dave

Re: Then May I Suggest?

David Ramer

>Mike,

Thanks... you and Skip both are thinking along the same lines. I am definately going to check into the planes...! This is ths direction and opinions I need as a newbie hand tool user...

Dave

Re: just to be different

Larry Williams

>David,

I find the #12 scrapers too big and bulky. The mounting of the handle on the #12 scrapers is too high which makes use difficult on the wrists.

The screw cap on the #81 is more secure than the thumb screw mounted steel strap of the #80. The #81's screw cap secures the blade closer to the working edge than the #80. The #81's handles are shorter and place your hands more behind the blade while also making it easy to add pressure to the blade with your thumbs. Some say they like to flex the blade of the #80 for a heavier cut. I don't think that makes sense, why try to hog with a finishing tool?

The lack of secure mounting of the blade on the #80 makes it more prone to chatter and the only way to add pressure is to bend the blade with the back adjustment screw. That results in a curved blade that only cuts in the center.

The #81's blade is also mounted leaning more forward than the #80. It's only a couple degrees but I think it's a better angle. The angle of the #81 is right where I find my #112 performs the best.

I don't like the #112 because full strokes tend to shove the upper corner of the blade into my wrist or forearm.

I'll always reach for the #81 above all the rest of the scrapers in Stanley's line.