Scrapers

[Lurker]

I was cleaning up the surface of this old oak side table to repurpose.

 

[Lurker]

I have lots of scrapers, but when I went through them, not one had a decent burr.

 

[Lurker]

So I had a session sorting them all.
I used my saw chops aided by a clamp for a vice. This gives me a bit of extra height to assist my poor eyesight.
The burnisher is the piston rod from a car tailgate strut.

Note: I couldn’t work out how to put text in a group of pictures, hence the three posts.

 

[akirk]

Note: I couldn’t work out how to put text in a group of pictures, hence the three posts.

either put text in first and then go back and click in each location and insert the image...
or insert images as you go, but once inserted, either click to the right, or use the arrow key to move to the right and then carry on typing...

 

[Pete Maddex]

I just rubdown the existing burr with my burnisher (1/8" carbide rod) and turn a new one, it doesn't make a massive burr but they work fine.

Pete

 

[Lurker]

I looked closely at them (jeweller’s loupe) and every one was rounded over , so they needed squaring up with a file and a stone.
It’s ages since I used a scraper so I might have blunted them all. I suspect the fact that they all live in a drawer might have something to do with it too.
Anyway, 30 minutes on a wet afternoon was well spent.

 

[Reggieb]

I find a quick squaring on a diamond plate makes the burr creation a little more reliable, but it's not essential in my experience. I think the cleaner and squarer you get the edge before trying to create the burr, the less effort/skill is needed to achieve a usable result.

 

[MattS]

Interesting use of an old strut - I have two old ones in my workshop so might take that idea and repurpose.

 

[Woodbloke]

A square edge makes all the difference. I use one of these and a mill file to get the edge dead square; it's then polished on a fine diamond stone by holding said scraper against a square sided wooden block. In my experience a carbide burnisher is more effective that a steel one but 'less is more' when using one. Laying the scraper flat, I turn both edges on each side so it forms a minuscule 'U' sectioned shape, the scraper is then placed vertically in a vice and each vertical part of the 'U' is turned over with the burnisher at at 10deg lower than horizontal; a couple of passes is all that's required. You won't be able to see the burr but it can be felt on all four edges with your fingernail. Much easier to actually do than explain - Rob

 

[thetyreman]

you can use a block of wood that's got a perfect face/edge on it as a guide, I keep one to one side of the bench just for scraper blades, makes sharpening them much easier.