Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: RyanR on October 15, 2013, 06:34:51 pm
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What are some of your preferred scrapers and methods of sharpening? I am thinking of trying something new.
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I still use bandsaw blade material and old scissers. File longitudinaly(is that a word? Lol) then roll the edge slightly... Brian
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My scraper is made from an old circular saw blade. I put an edge on it 3 years ago or so and haven't had to touch it since. I followed the how-to post on putting the bur on it. I use broken scissors around pin knots
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Bahco card scraper. Sharpen it often. When sharp and a burr is properly put on it, it really cuts and leaves a smooth finish.
The proper way to sharpen it:
I got mine for 8$ I think.
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Stainless Steel. Buddy works in a machine shop and he makes them for us. I have several sizes but this one I use most. The burr is pretty resilient. Hit it on the grinder to sharpen, but its not needed often. I was slow coming to this SS contraption, but I cant image not having it now.
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Old Hickory kitchen knife, sharpened on a single bevel, with a small bastard file - really takes off some wood.
Pocket knife sharpened on the rough side of an old oil stone for the fine scraping. I also have used the card scrapers, but I have come to prefer that old butcher knife more than anything else I have tried.
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I need to try different types, only used a very thin cabinet scraper, have seen people using thick ones and it seams to work very well. I'm going to have to invest some time in making some tools instead of building and hunting......At times I really enjoy down time in January and February for things like that.
As far as sharping, just square the edge with a file and then round over the corner with a screwdriver to form a bur. I'm up for new ways though
DBar
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For square or trapezoid cross sections, old 16 guage steel cut to a manageable size/ a goose neck out of the same stuff for the back of osage, then I buy a bending scraper for English longbow type cross sections
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I use cabinet scrapers , a large bandsaw blade used for metal and a scraper used for scraping floors ( the one I use doesn't have the sharp edge ) , I file them and I burr the edge .
They all have their place , from the flexible cabinet scrapers to the stiff floor scraper .
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the only real scraper I have, a buddy gave it to me, bub
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since over ten years i use a drawkive as as scraper. i put a burr on so the knive is not usable for cutting anymore, but it's a superb scraper :)
resharpen and touch up the burr from time to time and that's it.
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buy one of these - http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Bahco-Card-Scraper/Pr200491000?gclid=CP_H8b7qmroCFQ_LtAodcHkA1Q or similar and get Dean Torges book for a great description of how to sharpen it to it's optimum.
There is an awful lot of confusing advice out there about scrapers.
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I hate my scraper but still have not remembered to replaced it. It does cut well when sharp but it has two sharp points on one end due to a half circle cut out, probably for spoke making etc. This always catches work.
Time to go the tool shop i think...
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I know Mike ;) ;D ;D I use a 50/1000 and 70/1000 band saw blade 50/1000 from Niss plant and 70/1000 from GM plant.I sharpen them on a belt sander with either fine belt or a worn out belt by setting the cutting edge flat length ways just for a second or 2. May not last as long as some edges but it quick and cut great. :)
Pappy
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Sometimes I use the 1" belt sander but mostly I use a file. A few weeks ago I worked on a persimmon stave that I had to resharpen my scraper every 4 or 5 passes. I can get through an osage or ipe bow on one sharpen as a rule.
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I just acquired ( >:D ) a roll of Japenese spring steel at work. I cut a sample from it with a cut off wheel on an angle grinder. I used it to chase a ring on an Osage stave night before last and it worked great! It would pull a small, thin feather or really cut a curl depending on the pressure. It will flex slightly when pressure is applied. I really like it. The roll of steel is like 10' long! I have tried store bought scrapers with varying results. The scraper I got from Pappy at the Classic is a good stiff scraper.
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I mostly use the Sandvic type canbinet scrapers, straight and gooseneck. I have others, stainless, sawblades, etc but use cabinet scrapers 99% of the time. I sharpen them the way Dean advocates in HOB... square up on a stone, consolidate the edge and roll a burr with the burnisher. They last through several bows before needing sharpened.
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Been using a really old Zenith draw knife up on its edge, its a little dull but it's been working out pretty well, pulls plenty of wood and leaves a very smooth finish. I've been following it with 60grit high abrasive paper just to make sure it doesn't leave any checks as well
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Stainless steel butcher knife, spine squared with a file and burnished with tool steel.
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I cut up old mitre and skil saw blades with an angle grinder. They work great and you can make em any shape you want.
(http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee503/Jamey_Burkhart/3DCC4E2E-CA8A-4BA9-9CF8-230C31A7FDF3-16331-000027EA96D9FBF8.jpg)
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Thanks for the info. It sounds like there are many different options. I never knew about the burr that needs put on it.
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For the money , you can't beat cabinet scrapers. Less than 10$ for the tool you will use the (Possibly) most? The hook is a very important part of the sharpening process. Too steep and you have to hold the scraper at too steep an angle. It also needs to be sharpened more frequently. Too shallow and it wont cut without undue pressure. Get it right and the tool practically does the work for you. Most people that give up on scrapers have never used one that has been properly sharpened. The cabinet scrapers are hardened for maximum durability . You can usually "re roll" the bur a few times between touching up the edge. I have a block with slots cut in it that hold a few scrapers on the bench beside me. When one gets dull,I grab a fresh one. I don't like to interrupt my flow of work when I get going.