Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
scraper plane advice
chichi
>I just picked up a #112 like Kunz scraper plane and need advice on care and operation. The thin blade has thin paper tabs glued to 3 points on the blade. I assume this ws done for shipping reasons and has no function and can be removed?
Do I sharpen like a plane blade and use bevel up or down? Do I sharpen like a scraper and put a burr on just the leading or trailing edge or both edges. What angle do I normally set the blade?
Thanks,
Bob
Re: scraper plane advice
Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia
>I found instructions for the 112 scraper on the Lie-Nielsen website. The blade for the L-N is much thicker but you should get a good start by reading the use and care instructions there.JR
Re: scraper plane advice
woodburnbob
>Chichi, your post prompted me to find a picture of your Kunz scraper on line. I trust you didn't pay $90 for it as advertised. I also found a quick link to the Kunz tune-up and sharpening instructions (a PDF file), FWIW.
I did find elements of this Kunz material to be an amusing read. In particular, and I quote:
A. Remove any burrs or sharp edges in the sole
and sides with a fine metal file.B. Check the sole for flatness. If necessary,
tune the sole on a full sheet of fine grit, silicon
carbide sandpaper placed on a flat surface
such as a tablesaw or jointer.C. Check the threading on all knobs and angle
adjusting screws for nicks or burrs.F. Check the side pivot screws. Make sure they
are countersunk below the surface of the sides.
If the heads extend above the side surface, file
them flush with a metal file.G. Any excessive side-to-side movement of the
blade holding assembly can be corrected by
installing a small washer on one or both of the
side pivot screws (between the body and casting
assembly).
One almost gets the sense Kunz is offer a casting and parts kit, eh?
Of course, setting up even a Stanley or LN #112 and getting predictable shavings is not a trivial matter. There are quite a few "how-to" threads, and perhaps articles, here on WC and BP, if you can find them.
You shouldn't be surprised to learn the bevel angle and "burr vs no burr" (and how to create it) questions are debatable.
Anyway, it took me about 6 or 8 hours of fiddling, practicing and reading to get to the point that there was hope with my LN112. I found it very frustrating to teach myself. But the eventual results were worth the toil. Good luck.