Articles
The Card Scraper
July 24, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments
A card scraper is nothing more than a simple thin sheet of steel, but it can be an incredible asset to any workshop, as it saves you time and money. Card scrapers come in numerous thicknesses to suit your taste and the needs of the project. You can also vary your sharpening technique to create a more or less aggressive edge. Scrapers are great for leveling surfaces, cleaning up glue in corners, and prepping a surface for final finishing. In general, the more you scrape, the less you sand. Sounds great, right? Well unfortunately, sharpening a card scraper can be tricky if you don’t know the proper technique. Once you do, its incredibly fast and easy to get ribbon shavings from your card scraper.
Two Sharpening Methods
The Wood Whisperer – Video: Barely Scraping By
Todd Clippinger – Video: Super Simple Scraper Sharpening
Scraper Use
Fine Woodworking – Video: Using a Card Scraper
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Hi Marc,
Is it possible to make my own scraper using the back of an old disposable panel saw?
I’m pretty sure you can Martin. Seems like you could get quite a few out of one piece of stock.
Information on Card Scraper sharpening and burnishing.
http://www.woodsmithshop.com/download/109/109-handscrapers.pdf – Go to bottom of last page to find a burnishing jig using a drill bit. This pdf can be saved if you want.
http://www.woodsmith.com/files/issues/171/sharpening-a-scraper.pdf – Other methods of sharpening a cabinet or card scraper. This pdf can be saved if you want.
An excerpt from a LumberJocks post: “Hard chromed socket extensions, old valve pushrods, and other hardened metal objects make fine burnishers.” – from a guy who spent $40 on a burnisher as a newbie, but eventually learned it wasn’t necessary to spend that much money on a burnisher.