A question for folks who do NOT use card scrapers (or were reluctant at first)

I tried for a bit but my results were less than rewarding. I am pretty sure I was doing it wrong.

Barriers for me:
Keeping the piece from becoming “cupped” when using a scraper.
Slipping and beveling an edge of a piece of work.
Bringing and inlay flush with the surface (I currently use a sander for this, sometimes a plane)

Hope that helps…

-- Jef Spencer - Refined Pallet - http://www.etsy.com/shop/RefinedPallet

I have found I achieve better results using a plane.

To me, card scrapers are really high maintenance for a short “sharpness life.” I also cut my knuckles quite a bit scraping with them.

-- Chip -----------http://www.penmanchip.com-----------------Micah 6:8

The first time I had ever heard of a card scraper was just last week on this site. I believe it was Todd Clippinger (I hope I didn’t mangle the name too bad). What is it used for? I mean, is it supposed to replace a plane, be used for glue excess, or like SNS says, bringing an inlay flush?

-- Wish I were Norm's Nephew

I’ve never had much use for one that I know of….(most likely out of habit then due to any antagonism towards them) I use different scrapers when lathe turning….and on flat stuff I go to the trusty plane and then sanders. I’ve read a few things now and then on the card type scrapers…but just haven’t found the need to incorporate them in my arsenal….

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

I have and like scrapers but I’m still using window pane glass.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful.

I just bought one at woodcraft last week. I have been practicing with it for a little while. It seems to give a nice smooth feel and look to the wood. it takes time to master it I guess. For now though I will keep practicing.

OK I’m going to jump in here and probably rub some of you the wrong way. I have never used a card scraper without putting a hook on the edge and infact I never heard of not putting a hook on until I joined this site. So when I seen that a lot of fellow L J don’t use a hook I just had to try it. Well for me it didn’t work at all. I mean I was really disappointed. Maybe I’ve been using a hook so long that I’m used to the aggressiveness of it (if I card scraper can actually be aggressive). So to answer your question, maybe someone trying it for the first time without a hook will not get the results they hoped for. Just a thought.

-- Mike, Westport MA.

when i firs saw them David Marks was useing them and the wood seemed to rool up during use i thought cool that must be real sharp to do that and mabee easy to resharpen too.then i got a set and found out everything i saw on TV was not like that unless u tune it up so then i found info on tuning them (sharpening) and figured hey that sounds easy enough so i tried it but no luck so i tried again still nothing then i put them down for awhile and saw some more info with a guy just useing a file to sharpen them so i tried this too with no luck then after getting fed up i made my own method all i did was use a file flaten the faces then the edge then used a burnisher a rod type to draw the burr out and finnished with a veritas burnisher adj. to 7.2 deg. or about there and bingo i got it now i use them on some projects depends what im doing though like scraping away the wax from turning stock before i mill it on other machines or hand planes and when i have to bring an inlay down to the surface i get it close then i sand the rest mainly for delacate stuff is what i use them for in my shop.

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://[email protected]

I use them sparingly. They burn my thumbs…..lol

-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their [email protected]

It definitely takes some practice to sharpen a scraper properly (with a hook), and develop the right technique to get satisfying results. I like using them now in certain situations, but I can’t say they have replaced sandpaper in my shop.

Anyone interested in getting started with scrapers might want to look at this set from Lee Valley. It has everything you need, and makes proper sharpening pretty simple.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Never used one. The idea of the sound of SCCCCCCCCCCRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEE!!!!! makes the hair on my neck stand on end. :-)

-- --Thiel

Compared to sanding you need to have the proper supporting tools to sharpen, master sharpening techniques and then the techniques of using the scraper. I think you have to be motivated to get all 3 done and have that aligned with actual project need.

Sounds like your planes solve some of the issues above (burned thumbs and cupping)

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I normally stock and use sandpaper for my ros up through 1500. So what does a scraper have for me ?

-- RTB. stray animals are just looking for love

No dust and probably speed…

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I’ve recently got my first set and after reviewing all the videos and articles I could find, I did not find it very difficult to produce a burr that would produce nice shavings, but I am a little disappointed in how quickly they seem to dull and need to be re-burnished. Also not sure how many times I can get away with re-burnishing before having to back to the stones.

-- Aaron in TN -http://www.amwellsfurniture.com