Sharpening Card Scrapers

See most recent PW issue

Jim in N.VA

>The most recent issue of PW magazine has an article in which the author sort of compares different techniques to sharpen scrapers. Many of the approaches recommended would, IMHO, take waaaaaay too long. But that's just me. My abbreviated approach gets me where I want to go and is quick. YMMV.

Jim, What is your...

Robert Englebrecht

>abbreviated approach? This is what I am looking for...different ways to 'skin a cat' (or sharpen cards).

No offense to the cat lovers.

Re: See most recent PW issue

Christopher Schwarz

>Jim,

And that is -- hands-down -- the fastest way I've found to get a good edge from a scraper that is fresh out of the wrapper.

Resharpening a scraper using those tricks takes less than four minutes. All of the 14 methods I surveyed (and tried) produced a scraper that scraped. But the methods that skipped steps made a weak hook. So you ended up sharpening more. I found it to be false economy.

Perhaps the sharpest illustration of this principle is the way one well-known media personality sharpens scrapers. He merely runs a mill file over the edge a couple times. Yes, it makes a hook. Yes, it scrapes. Yes, it's fast.

But does it produce clean work? Not in my tests. Is the hook durable? Not that I found; you get just a few minutes work before you are back to the file.

I'm not saying I found the Holy Burnisher or anything. I bet there still is a better way to sharpen the tool. But this works really really well. Not just for me, but the people I've taught it to as well.

Regards,

Chris

Re: Sharpening Card Scrapers

Joe in a Cleveland suburb

>This probably isn't the answer you're looking for but a number of months ago there was an article in FWW by Brian Boggs on how he does it. Also, on the FWW web site there is a video by him showing how he does that which compliments the article. It works for me.

I'm not sure but you might have to be a paid member to see the video at the FWW site. You might want to check that out.

For me, seeing it done with an online video helps a ton. A bit off-topic but that's what makes the FWW site great for me - online videos! And lots of them.

Joe

Joe

I skip the stoning

Jim in VA

>My approach is a variant of the one used by Steve Latta. First, he files each side of the scraper. Then, using the file perpendicular to the scraper, he files the edge. Next, using the side of a chisel, he burnishes the side. Finally, he rolls the burr in 1 or 2 strokes. Takes him less than 60 seconds. I use a jig to hold the file, otherwise I follow the same approach. Also, I sometimes use a bit of wax to make the burnisher slide easier. (Some folks suggest oil, but that's messy and I always have some wax in my pocket for waxing plane bottoms.)

Chris argues, I think, that skipping the stoning step results in a weaker burr that will not last as long. He's probably right...I have not done the comparisons he has. However, Steve Latta's approach is really fast and avoids me having to walk over to the sharpening station, wet the stones, etc. The burr I turn (less than 5 degrees) seems to make shavings for a long time.

Bottom line is that you should probably experiment, as Chris did for his article, and find the way that works best for you. That's the great thing about woodworking--there are many paths to the same end.

Best,

Jim

Great article

Jim in VA

>Chris,

Great article...keep 'em coming. I really love it when someone takes the time to test the conventional wisdom and report on the results. I'm willing to believe that stoning could result in a stronger, longer lasting burr. I'm going to try it and see. But the burr would have to last much longer for me to change my current approach. Thanks for the challenge--I'll let you know if I change my mind as a result.

--Jim

Re: Great article

Christopher Schwarz

>Jim,

Honestly here: If you are satisfied with the time and results, please don't even bother experimenting. You are where you should be.

For me, I was not happy with the time factor. That's what led me down the path to finding a way to speed things up to get the hook I want.

Jim, thanks for keeping an open mind and all (a rare thing) but really, stick to what works. You are in a rare position if you are pleased with your scraper's edges.

Regards,

Chris

Re: Sharpening Card Scrapers

thomd

>Quick touch to belt sander then I raise the burr with an LV oval burnisher. There are probably better ways but this takes about 5 seconds.