Scrapers and scraping.

[mikeaidanh]

I notice that scraping a completed deck is preferred to sanding. Why is that please.

 

Are scrapers bought or made? What constitutes a good scraper?

 

Thanks in advance for sharing knowledge.

 

[Neill]

Mike

I'd say it's a personal choice myself, a scraper may potentially give a better finish, but needs greater skill in application - practice on scrap before going near a model.

 

You can buy cabinet makers scrapers from specialist wodworking suppliers, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  You could also make them if you have tooling for cutting, grinding and hardening carbon steel.

[Blue Ensign]

Hi Mike, one of the reasons is that sanding sometimes smears the caulking whereas scraping does not; I always scrape decks.

 

I use an old plane blade out of bullnose plane, but hobby knife chisel blades are good for tight areas. Generally I use the widest blade I can to cover the deck area to reduce the  possibility of digging into the deck.

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.

[BareHook]

I do a final finish on my deck with fine 000 steel wool after sanding and it provides a clean sharp finish.

 

Ken

[mikeaidanh]

Thank you Gentlemen. Scraping it is then. 

[richardt]

Hi Mike,

 

This link will open a page on scrapers. Once there, open the link Instr that will reveal care and sharpening info etc.

 

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/Page.aspx?p=49548&cat=1,310,41069

 

Richard

[druxey]

A proper 'hook' on the scraper's edge is critical to using this tool. I also file off the corners of my scrapers so that 'dig in' is avoided. Check the url that Richard has kindly provided.

[mikeaidanh]

I have just this minute ordered a set of three scrapers and a burnishing tool.

 

My thanks to all who have replied and a special thanks to Richard for the link. I have printed off the instruction notes.

 

Mike.

[wefalck]

I use to good effect those stronger razor-like blades with re-inforced back (I believe they are also sold as blades for 'balsa'-planes). As they are ground from both sides at the cutting edge, these 'scrapers' don't seem to need a burr for cutting.

 

Steel wool gives a very nice satin finish on hard woods, but also leaves behind tiny fragments of steel that may be diffisult to remove from corners, between stanchions, etc.

 

wefalck

[Modeler12]

I have just this minute ordered a set of three scrapers and a burnishing tool.

 

My thanks to all who have replied and a special thanks to Richard for the link. I have printed off the instruction notes.

 

Mike.

Mike, when you get your burnishing tool don't just think of it for use on the scrapers. Yes, you should use it to put a 'hook' on the edge of the scrapers and do that from time to time, but also use it to hone a sharp edge like chisels, etc. I have used the same straight scraper for more than thirty years building furniture and it is still going strong  

The main difference is that with cutting tools you don't want to have a 'hook'. So you have to hold it almost parallel with the edge you are honing.

[mikeaidanh]

Jay,

 

Thank you for that fine piece of advice. I must confess that it had not occurred to me.

 

Mike.