sharpening scrapers (trouble) - Woodworking Talk

ssgtrob2336 · 09-10-2009, 06:08 PM

I am having problems turning a burr on my cabinet scrapers. I have read everything I can find, and for some reason, I cannot get an effective burr and I can generally scrape about 3 times before I need to file/burnish again. Can anyone help me? I am really thinking of giving up on the scrapers (but I really don't want to).

woodnthings · 09-10-2009, 07:25 PM

Try this approach to sharpen the scrapers. Card scraper sharpening method Not everyone turns a burr, like the lumberjocks video, but if you choose to use a hardened chrome round tool like a good screwdriver to turn the edge and really bear down on it. About 3 passes should be able to feel the burr. At an angle of about 5 -10 degrees. There's a video, Ill try to post it in an edit here.
http://thewoodwhisperer.com/episode-...y-scraping-by/
and another: http://lumberjocks.com/toddc/blog/6848

bill

Julian the woodnut · 09-10-2009, 10:06 PM

Are you burnishing while the scraper is flat on the table first before raising the bur?

ssgtrob2336 · 09-10-2009, 10:19 PM

Yes I have tried it flat on the table and then on edge. I've tried it both ways actually. This is just one nut I can't seem to crack. I really appreciate the comments, and I will try the techniques in the woodnthings post. Maybe I just need to practice it more than I do. It's just frustrating that I struggle with it.

Thanks again.
James

jeffreythree · 09-10-2009, 11:02 PM

I just use the Veritas tool to fix mine up.
http://www.veritastools.com/Products/Page.aspx?p=141

woodnthings · 09-11-2009, 06:09 AM

[quote=ssgtrob2336;94810]Yes I have tried it flat on the table and then on edge. I've tried it both ways actually. This is just one nut I can't seem to crack. I really appreciate the comments, and I will try the techniques in the woodnthings post. Maybe I just need to practice it more than I do. It's just frustrating that I struggle with it.
Could be the material/steel is not up to snuff. Have you tried a different source? Woodcraft has some.

bill
BTW On the one link the guy does not turn a burr and it works great.

cabinetman · 09-11-2009, 08:57 AM

You can also dress the edge without a burr. Using a file flat (lay it on the edge of the scraper), file the edge flat. You will have two sharp edges to use and they won't dull as fast as a burr will. Try this first and see if you like the feel. If not...work on the burr.