Shaping with a Router - MetosExpo - Free

Editor's Notebook
Mastering the scraper-The articles by E.S. Martin and Pat Buford
about sharpening scrapers in FWW #91 elicited quite a response.
I suspected we would get some mail on this subject because
I knew that most woodworkers share the same kind of
frustration with sharpening a scraper that Martin and Buford
described in their articles.
When I was introduced to a cabinet scraper by my first shop
partner, Eddie Gnaedinger, back in the early 1970s, I was
amazed that I'd never encountered this basic woodworking tool
before. I figured that sandpaper manufacturers must have conspired
to keep this handy device a secret for fear that it would
drastically reduce sales of their products.
For months, I continued to find new uses for my scraper and
raved that it was the most used tool in the shop. But despite my
vigorous testimonials, I managed to avoid learning how to sharpen
it. Like Martin and Buford, I tried but never had much luck.
Instead, I kept an eye on Eddie, and whenever I saw him sharpening
his scraper, I'd mosey over and suggest that, in the interest
of efficiency, he might as well sharpen mine too.
Eventually I learned to prepare the edge and turn a burr on a
scraper that would roll up a thin shaving and remain sharp for a
reasonable period of time. And later, I found myself assuming
the role of the designated scraper sharpener for other shopmates
who were just being inu-oduced to this wonderful little workhorse.
Although I haven't entirely abandoned my sandpaper-manufacturer-conspiracy
theOlY, I've come to appreciate the fact that
scraper knowledge isn't general knowledge but is instead passed
from woodworker to woodworker-a kind of rite-of-passage into
the secret society of woodworking. Here are three letters in response
to Martin's article from readers offering their perspectives
on sharpening a scraper. -Jim Boesel is executive editol- of FWW
Free at last-I was pleased and relieved to see the article on
sharpening scrapers in FWW #91. For years, I've been filing a
flat (90°) edge on my scrapers and not raising a burr because it
never seemed to work velY well when I tried it. The scrapers seem
to work wonderfully without a burr, but I've always looked over
my shoulder (figuratively speaking) because I felt guilty about not
doing something I thought I really should be doing. I'm going to
continue not making a burr, but I won't feel guilty anymore.
-Abijab Reed, Newton Centre, Mass.
Using the right scraper for the job-I read with interest the
article on sharpening scrapers in the December issue of FWW It
struck home because I have been using file-sharpened cabinet
scrapers for quite a while now. And just like the author, frustration
with getting and holding a good burr using the traditional
techniques led me to this simple method.
However, there were two minor flaws in the text. First, it
should have been pointed out that a filed scraper edge can never
leave the same kind of surface on wood as one that has been
filed, honed and burnished. Many craftsmen scrape their surfaces
to perfection in preparation for finishing instead of using
sandpaper. When the light strikes d1e surface of these finished
pieces, the wood comes to life. You know you are looking at a
surface that sandpaper has not touched. Such a surface cannot
be achieved with a filed scraper because d1e marks left by the
file on the scraper's edge will be u-ansferred to d1e wood. A filed
scraper should be viewed as a preliminalY way of dressing down
a surface speedily and efficiendy. Then you should eid1er expect
to do some sanding or you should give your project a few strokes
with a properly burnished scraper to bring it to perfection.
The second flaw was in d1e suggestion d1at a single scraper be
used both for fine finishing and glue scraping. You should have
separate scrapers for various tasks: a thick one for glue, a filesharpened
one for rough work on wood and a burnished one
for fine work. Over d1e years I've acquired a collection of scrapers
of various sizes, thicknesses and qualities of steel. Because I've become
aware of the subdeties of ead1, there will always be one
scraper that has just the characteristics I need for a particular job.
-Thomas Wissback, Galesburg, Ill.
A fool-proof method?-My method for sharpening a scraper
takes some of the guesswork out of the process. The secret is a
2-i 1.-thick-maple block about 12-in.-sq. with one end cut clean
and square and sanded smooth. I use this end as a regisu-ation
surface when filing, honing and burnishing d1e scraper's edge.
Begin by clamping the block to a workbench or table. Lay d1e
scraper flat on top of the block and press a fine file against
d1e block's smoothed end. Now, press the scraper lighdy against
d1e file; swing d1e file back and ford1 a few times to remove d1e old
burr or any nicks and to square d1e scraper's edge. Repeat this on
each edge of the scraper, and d1en do the same with a coarse stone
followed by a fine stone. A drop or two of oil on the scraper will
lubricate the stones and will also help when you get to the burnishing
phase. ext, lay the coarse stone flat on the scraper and
rub a bit on both sides to remove any burr d1at you've created.
Finish with a fine stone against the end of the block again.
At d1is pOint, you can feel that the edge is square and d1e corners
are very sharp. Now, while pressing the scraper down on
the block, hold a burnisher at about a 5° angle, and take a few
light su-okes on the scraper's top edge. Run your knuckles along
the end of d1e block to help maintain the slight angle; I usually
let the scraper overhang the end of the block a bit while burnishing
and adjust the overhang to help set the correct angle.
I can put a good edge on a scraper in about four minutes,
including taking out d1e equipment and putting it away again.
The block gives the correct angle so there is no need for great
care. And the swinging motion of d1e stone means there is no
tendency to wear a groove in it. -David Gather, Los Angetes, Cal.
UNTON
PUBUCXfIONS
... by fellaw enlhusillSlS
The Taunton Press: Paul Roman,presitielltiJanice A. Roman, vice
preSident; Carolyn Kovaleski, administrative secretary. Corporate
Staff Directors: Susan Edelman, deSign; John Kelsey, editorial; john
Lively, cbie! Of staff; jan Wahlin, marketing. Accounting: \Vayne
Reynolds, control/c.".., Patrick Lamontagne, manager; jeffrey Shenn:Ul,
Susan
financial analyst; Mary Sullivan, general ledger superViSor; Carolyn
Stiles,jr. cast accountant; Carol Diehm, accounts payable supervisor;
Burke, accounts payable clerk; uwrence Rice, credit supervisor;
Lyctia Krikorian, senior collection clerk; Judith Rivera, Victoria
Theobald, collections clerks; Diana D'Onofrio, payroll coordinator;
Andrea DuBois. Elaine Yamin, junior accountants; Dorothy Blasko,
secretary. Corporate Design: Philip Allard, promotion services coordinator
books/videos; Steven Hunter, art director, Thomas Baker, promotion
services coordinator magazines; Wendy Bowes,judy Lind, associate
tlrt directors; Mary Beth Cleary, promotion production
roordbudor, Franc esca Arminio, promotion asst. Art Production, Robert
Olah, mal101:,lf!r'; Henry Roth, Catherine Cassidy, associate art directors;
Jodie DeJohery, assista11l art director; tLiana Koehler, production. ,mis·
tanto Copy/Production: RUlh Dobsevage, managing editor; Peter
Chapman, Pamela Purrone, COPY/production editors. Corporate
Sales: lY.t1e Brown, director; Donna Pierpont, publiC relations manager;
Diane i>'ducrson, executive secretary; Andrea Ondak, trat/e and
special sales mQlUlger, Barbara Buckalew, marketing assistant; Marcie
Siegel, publicity/trade sales asst.; Lori MOir, telemarketer. Data Pro·
cessing: Drew Salisbury, manager, Brendan Bowe,Julftllment systems
manager'; Roger Seliga, scniorprogrammerlanalyst; Gabriel Dunn, programmer/analyst;
Arthur Caron, Roben Nielsen, programmers; james
Kinnear, tech. services admin. Sherill Kolakowski, computer support
tecbnician. Folkwcar: Cheryl Clark, mgr.j Garol Ge, ((t/mill. asst.;
Gregory McMahan, pattern designer. Fulfillment & Operations:
Tom Luxeder, director; Jane Torrence. secretary. Client Services:
Patricia Williamson, coordinator, Roxanne Frimmel, Megan Sangster,
client services representatives; Customer Service (subscriber):
Patricia Malouff, manager; Nancy Schoch, senior customer service
rep; Donna Weinstein, Diane Hurvul, Marylou 111Ompson. Mail Processing:
Joyce Mc\ViUiam, supervisor; Gayle Hammond, Barbara
Lowe. Customer SenJice (trat/e): Christine Cosacchi, supervisor;
Kristen Boeckmann, cust. service rep.; Gloria Carson, Peggy leBlanc,
Denise Pascal, data ent,y. Distribution: Paul Seipold, manager;
Grace AumuUcr, David Blasko, Michael Capalbo, James Chappuis,
Mary Ann Costagliola, Maureen Aynn, Fred Monnes, Alice Saxton,
Astor Taylor, Robert Weinstein; Linnea Ingram, secretary. Purcbasing
& Facilities: William Schappen, manager; Lois Beck, Office services supervisor;
john Zor, mail services; Chuck HoUis, maintenance foreman;
Mark Cole, maintenance assistant; Christopher Myers,
Donna
buyer;
Freeman, cbeflm allager; Kathleen CosteUo, Nonna-jean Taylor,
assistants. Subscnption: Carole Ando, managc.j Connie Barczak,
Bonnie Beardsley, Brigitte Blais, Madelaine Frengs, Marie Paw,
AndrC'd. Shorrock. Manufacturing: Kathleen Davis, director. Prepress:
Austin E. Starbird, manager; Robert Marsala, grapbic arts supervisor;
Susan Kahn, staff photographer; Nancy Atkinson, Chansam
Thammavongsa, production assistants; Deborah Cooper, color center
sUpe1visorj Richard Booth, nigbt-shijt supervisor; Mark Coleman,
William Godfrey, Laurene jakab, color system operators; Nancy
Knapp, composition production coordinator; Margot Knorr,publications
applications manager; Monica Murphy, desktop publications
associate; lisa DeFeo, system operator. Print Production: Diane
Flanagan, manager (promo); 1110mas Greco, manager (books);
Rosemary Pagel, associate (books); Philip VanKirk, manager- Onagazilles);
Deborah Baldwin, assOCiate (magazines); Tracie Pavlik, sec·
retary. Personnel: Carol Marotti, managerj Linda Ballerini, Chris
Lincoln, personnel assistants. Video: Craif Umanoff, vitlc."O coorclinat01
1110 mas Menard, asst. video producer.
4 Fine Woodworking