My father was a missionary in a poor country. As a child I loved going to watch a local carpenter. I saw him break a beer bottle and carefully select pieces to use as scrapers. He used them in detailing beautiful claw feet on chairs he carved.
I've used broken glass a time or to to scrape and it works beautifully. But the edge is not renewable and you need a reasonably good supply of bandages.
Another great video. I have always used the round shank of a good screwdriver as a burnishing tool. Truth is I didn’t even know there was such a tool until now.
The most comprehensive scraper vid I've seen - and the first one that covers curved scrapers in detail. Thank you. I'm amazed that in the 5+ years that I've been watching woodworking vids almost daily I only discovered your channel recently. You are rapidly climbing my favorites list.
Nick, you did the best description of preparing a scraper out of all the dozens of scraper videos out there on you tube. I wish I had you as an instructor. Thanks.
You sir, produce the best woodworking videos on TH-cam, bar none. With an encyclopedic knowledge of all things related to the craft, and a witty, entertaining delivery, your videos are the class of TH-cam. You should have your own show on PBS-with the right content you could have more viewers than Norm Abrams ever did.
Thank you for the kind words. Concerning PBS, there hasn't been a new woodworking show on that venue for 25 years; it's a dying medium for DIY info. I'll put all my wooden eggs in my social media buckets.
I have fond memories of Dad spitting on the back of a gouge, then working it vigorously back and forth whilst holding the scraper in his other hand (against his stomach!!). I never knew of the existence of a burnisher until many (many!!) years later and then never thought of using them to sharpen tools. With his passing, I inherited all his "stuff" and still sharpen his scrapers with the same gouge; just not using his method!!! On another note, he had a particular paring chisel that I thought was a pencil sharpener when I was a kid; because this was all I saw him use it for. I still use that same chisel to sharpen my pencils 😁 Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. You are filling gaps in my knowledge and experience that I didn't quite get from Dad. If I may, could you do a video on sharpening panel saws please?? This was one thing I missed with Dad. He would start to show me how to do this, but when it was my turn, all my saws were sharp 😦
Great vid, Nick, and it's great to see you again. Jim McCann (Jim-Bob to me) taught me that file-only method back around 1989 and it changed my life! I was the Academy Instructor at Shopsmith's Academy at the Factory Showroom in Dayton and Jim dropped by the Academy during a break and was chatting with me as I prepped for a class. He watched me burnish scraper after scraper until he finished his candy bar and while liking his fingers he said "What are your doing?" I told him I was raising burrs and he said "Walk me through your process." and I talked him through the very things you did during your first method. At about the same point as 3:36 in your video he said "Now what are you doing?" and I said I was removing the burr that the file raised... and as I said it I realized where he was going. He said "Have you ever tried scraping with THAT burr?" Like you said, it wasn't quite the quality or durability as a well-burnished burr, but man, was it quick and easy! I'm glad you shared this and hope it helps more people learn the value of this under-utilized tool. Scott
Thank you for this clear and simple video. For some reason, there is a plethora of videos on sharpening scrapers that make the process so complex and time consuming that one would end up spending more time sharpening than using the scraper. BTW, I got started in woodworking with your Shopsmith videos, and it is great to see your familiar face again.
Really appreciate this. I bought a set of cabinet scrapers and a few of them are in need of sharpening. I had no idea how to do it but now I do. Thanks.
We're planning a shop tour, Jacob, as soon as we put the finishing touches on our set. Thought we'd set up one of our airplanes to show what we make when we aren't doing videos.
Card scrapers are simple tools but ESSENTIAL in my workshop. After handplaning with 4 1/2 or / 5 1/2 i still need to finish with Block plane and finally card scrapers in some areas. I’ve just ordered VERITAS low angle 62 with 25/38/50 n tooth blades. I wonder whether this new tool addition to my workshop will alleviate need for card scrapers.
I really like the drawer faces on the base cabinets in the background; very nice work, Nick. All out of the same boards (looks like 2?), with the grain flowing in one direction (kept the faces in sequential order). Poplar?
Thanks for the kind words, Chad. We made a few videos in our old hangar/shop just to get our feet wet and immediately saw that we needed a set that at least gave the illusion that I was somewhat organized. So we built a fantasy shop somewhat similar to the set I had built for Shopsmith's "Sawdust Sessions." The scraper video was its premiere. And your right -- poplar plywood cabinets with poplar doors and draw fronts.
@@WorkshopCompanion Well, they certainly do a good job of sprucing up Wayne Pennington's old place (originally built as a livery), and does a good job of hiding McD's in the background through the windows. Or are the cabinets on the west wall?
@@chadnevels246 West wall. There may have been as livery here once, but my information is that this particular building was erected in 1922 to house a Plymouth dealership. We call it the "Charles Furnas Memorial Hangar," even though Charlie's place stood a couple blocks away, where the Mason's Lodge is now. Stop over.
Interesting I didn't know such a thing existed. I myself made similar tools all with different diameters at the end, to fill out inside corners. I had noticed that they do rater well for scraping but mine are grinded with more of an edge (about 70°).
I’ve been watching videos on how to burnish scrapers. You’re the only person that uses a file and burnisher only. Everybody else goes on to perfectly smooth them with 1000 grit stones. Then about 30 swipes with the burnisher. You know what I’m talking bout. So, what am I missing? Could anyone help?
I don't know that you're missing anything. Unless, perhaps, it's that In woodworking there are often multiple methods you can employ to achieve the same results. No one method is inherently wrong or even better than another provided it safely produces acceptable results. I simply chose to show two time-efficient ways to restore the cutting edges on a scraper. There are many other ways to do this, some that require more time and equipment. Choose what works best for you.
For the same reason that an angled snowplow pushes snow to one side. The teeth of the file are angled right or left so they cut at an angle. Whichever way they plow the metal, you will get a burr on that side. You will get a tiny burr on the other side -- some of the snow always spills over the leading edge of the plow -- -- but the only usable burr is the one that forms off the trailing edge.
I presume by "cabinet scraper," you mean a scraper with a holder similar to the Stanley #80 or #81. Depends on whether you want four cutting edges or two. If you want four cutting edges that you can switch to one at a time, sharpen it just like a normal hand-held cabinet scraper. If the cabinet scraper came with a thick blade (like the Kunz #80), grind the edges to 45 degrees and turn the burr away from the bevel. This will give you just two cutting edges, but each of those will have a larger and more aggressive burr.
I have used a scraper for years. I tried using a burnisher and it worked but when I skipped that and just used the file, it seemed like a very similar result.
So in searching through my files, I have a couple of mill files that are 'b@stard' coarseness and one that is 'smooth'. I don't have any that are 'second cut'. Would either of the other two coarseness levels work to sharpen card scrapers?
There are actually four levels -- coarse, bastard, second, and smooth. A smooth mill file would work just fine. Be sure to use a single-cut file. This term doesn't refer to a coarseness, but is meant to describe rows of parallel teeth. Avoid double-cut files (with intersecting rows of teeth) -- they are too aggressive and don't leave a consistent burr.
@@WorkshopCompanion I've search the internet for a "Second Cut" "single Cut" metal file. Not having any luck finding a supplier. Even looking for a used one hasn't produced any results yet.
amzn.to/3tTbYTL@@stevenmarston8923 Nicholson makes good files, you might find them cheaper from grainger - www.grainger.com/product/5ZFZ6?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7oeqBhBwEiwALyHLM25Fr7NCeJNDr4DDvSrVtBdti7hOeFTjOCbHppTN6LjVxAbS5DTkcBoC3kQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
If you google, "second cut file" look through the files that pop up until you find one that only has a single set of cuts running through it. - Travis @@stevenmarston8923
Back in the early 60s I was given an all expense paid cruise to South Korea. I was really fun except for the Rifle I was allowed to use. The stock and receiver were so bad I was ashamed to use it. One day I got an idea and got myself a whiskey bottle and carefully broke the thing and collected the glass for a scraper. I scraped the ugly rifle till I got all the dirt from her. This took a month or more when I found a can of linseed oil and began rubbing the pretty stock and receiver till she shined as beautiful as one could believe. I was very careful with her and kept her beautiful. All was well till I was standing guard and a Major General stopped and asked to see my rifle. He told his aide a mere major to take me to armory and get me a different rifle. The general explained that Army issue rifles such as mine were not allowed and I was given another ugly rifle and the General took my rifle and locked it into a cabinet in his office. Can't imagine what he was going to do with an M1 rifle when all he ever carried was a pair of 1911 45s that looked like they came out of a show case.
A "Bastard"file to me as a Brit is each side of the file has a differing cutting pattern, simply put not the same on each side of the file hence the name.
There are several possible etymologies, but the most likely is that files once had three common grades, "coarse," "second cut" and "smooth." Sometime in the last two centuries, a manufacturer introduced a fourth grade in between coarse and second cut. Since the grade was irregular (at that time), craftsmen used the word "bastard" to describe it and the nickname stuck.
What the hell is one-sixth-of-a-millimeter??? 😅 Oh my, let it go. Allow me to enlighten you (for a change): point six mil. You've saved me sandpaper; I've saved you 5 syllables ✔️
@@WorkshopCompanion you are of course correct. Please forgive my clumsy error. I'd been procuring a card scraper yesterday and the options were imprinted on my short term memory. Here in England, the [evident] choices [yesterday] were .4, .6 and .8mm only. Predominantly the latter two.
Best teacher I've seen in a long time.
Thanks.
My father was a missionary in a poor country. As a child I loved going to watch a local carpenter. I saw him break a beer bottle and carefully select pieces to use as scrapers. He used them in detailing beautiful claw feet on chairs he carved.
I've used broken glass a time or to to scrape and it works beautifully. But the edge is not renewable and you need a reasonably good supply of bandages.
Another great video. I have always used the round shank of a good screwdriver as a burnishing tool. Truth is I didn’t even know there was such a tool until now.
The most comprehensive scraper vid I've seen - and the first one that covers curved scrapers in detail. Thank you.
I'm amazed that in the 5+ years that I've been watching woodworking vids almost daily I only discovered your channel recently. You are rapidly climbing my favorites list.
Thanks for you kind words.
Nick, you did the best description of preparing a scraper out of all the dozens of scraper videos out there on you tube.
I wish I had you as an instructor. Thanks.
Most welcome. And thanks for the kind words.
You are just fantastic Nick; clear explanations and demonstrations, and what seems the complete subject covered. Thankyou !
Most welcome.
You sir, produce the best woodworking videos on TH-cam, bar none. With an encyclopedic knowledge of all things related to the craft, and a witty, entertaining delivery, your videos are the class of TH-cam. You should have your own show on PBS-with the right content you could have more viewers than Norm Abrams ever did.
Thank you for the kind words. Concerning PBS, there hasn't been a new woodworking show on that venue for 25 years; it's a dying medium for DIY info. I'll put all my wooden eggs in my social media buckets.
I have fond memories of Dad spitting on the back of a gouge, then working it vigorously back and forth whilst holding the scraper in his other hand (against his stomach!!). I never knew of the existence of a burnisher until many (many!!) years later and then never thought of using them to sharpen tools. With his passing, I inherited all his "stuff" and still sharpen his scrapers with the same gouge; just not using his method!!!
On another note, he had a particular paring chisel that I thought was a pencil sharpener when I was a kid; because this was all I saw him use it for. I still use that same chisel to sharpen my pencils 😁
Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. You are filling gaps in my knowledge and experience that I didn't quite get from Dad.
If I may, could you do a video on sharpening panel saws please?? This was one thing I missed with Dad. He would start to show me how to do this, but when it was my turn, all my saws were sharp 😦
Thanks for sharing.
Great vid, Nick, and it's great to see you again. Jim McCann (Jim-Bob to me) taught me that file-only method back around 1989 and it changed my life! I was the Academy Instructor at Shopsmith's Academy at the Factory Showroom in Dayton and Jim dropped by the Academy during a break and was chatting with me as I prepped for a class. He watched me burnish scraper after scraper until he finished his candy bar and while liking his fingers he said "What are your doing?" I told him I was raising burrs and he said "Walk me through your process." and I talked him through the very things you did during your first method. At about the same point as 3:36 in your video he said "Now what are you doing?" and I said I was removing the burr that the file raised... and as I said it I realized where he was going. He said "Have you ever tried scraping with THAT burr?" Like you said, it wasn't quite the quality or durability as a well-burnished burr, but man, was it quick and easy! I'm glad you shared this and hope it helps more people learn the value of this under-utilized tool. Scott
are we supposed to know who Jim McCann is?
@@junkname9983 Yes. Try a Google or TH-cam search.
@@junkname9983 th-cam.com/video/mXMhBdZtaQo/w-d-xo.html
@@junkname9983 th-cam.com/video/O8-fU850MZg/w-d-xo.html
@@junkname9983 th-cam.com/video/7GuQMjgt3rk/w-d-xo.html
Easily the best scraper sharpening video I’ve seen! Also really like that you included both methods of how to do it, thanks as always!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this clear and simple video. For some reason, there is a plethora of videos on sharpening scrapers that make the process so complex and time consuming that one would end up spending more time sharpening than using the scraper. BTW, I got started in woodworking with your Shopsmith videos, and it is great to see your familiar face again.
Really appreciate this. I bought a set of cabinet scrapers and a few of them are in need of sharpening. I had no idea how to do it but now I do. Thanks.
Most welcome.
You are an invaluable compendium on two legs 👍👏🏻
Thanks...I think.
Other than your voice you remind me so much about my dad it's crazy. Thank you for posting these videos
Most welcome.
Sir, you are extremely good. Your advices and easily understanding way of teaching catches me a lot. Thank you 🙏🏼
The drawers in the background… wowza. 👌
Thanks. Poplar grown near a mine -- the colors and grain are always spectacular.
Thanks for yet Another top tier informational video 10/10 from me
Loved the drill press trick!
great stuff. I first learned about cabinet scrapers when I started working in a cabinet shop and they are really useful.
Thanks.
So refreshing to come across your videos. Thanks for your time, effort, and experience :)
I too am getting more into WW thanks to you
Glad to have been of some help.
Thanks good video, for making it very simple!!
Thanks and welcome back. You look well.
Thanks, and I hope you're just as well -- and stay that way.
Excellent, informative and helpful 👍 This has become one of my favorites 😍
Thanks for saying.
I got one of those exact french curve scrapers at a yard sale and had no clue what it was for until just now! Cool!
Thanks.
Glad I came across your channel, I enjoyed you sawdust sessions videos
Thanks. Long time ago.
Absolutely awesome.
Thanks for the video Nick, I have never used a scraper, but think I will give a try after your instructions.
Hey, you are the Shopsmith class guy! I watch pretty much every one of them. Always good advice in them! Going to subscribe today.
Respectfully, Kevin
Nice job. I have seen others explain this process and yours right on. Thanks
Most welcome.
Love it as always
Diamond grit chef's steel makes a good burnisher too.
Thank you so much for all that wonderful information, it's really appreciated 😊 kind regards Cindy
Glad it was helpful!
Love your videos.
Would love to see a shop tour!
We're planning a shop tour, Jacob, as soon as we put the finishing touches on our set. Thought we'd set up one of our airplanes to show what we make when we aren't doing videos.
That was great info. Had scrapers for a while now and always had the 1 bur thing going on, now I know why and how to fix that. Thank you! :)
Very informative thank you very much kind sir.
Thank you Sir.
Card scrapers are simple tools but ESSENTIAL in my workshop. After handplaning with 4 1/2 or / 5 1/2 i still need to finish with Block plane and finally card scrapers in some areas. I’ve just ordered VERITAS low angle 62 with 25/38/50 n tooth blades. I wonder whether this new tool addition to my workshop will alleviate need for card scrapers.
Of note, this method is also good for smoothing out 3D prints. Shaves (ha ha) a lot of time off sanding the print.
Good to know. I hate sanding 3d prints cause it gets hot so quickly. Thanks for sharing
@@siitupe i found if you alternate between shaving and sanding, you can get a finish almost as smooth as glass..
I really like the drawer faces on the base cabinets in the background; very nice work, Nick. All out of the same boards (looks like 2?), with the grain flowing in one direction (kept the faces in sequential order). Poplar?
Thanks for the kind words, Chad. We made a few videos in our old hangar/shop just to get our feet wet and immediately saw that we needed a set that at least gave the illusion that I was somewhat organized. So we built a fantasy shop somewhat similar to the set I had built for Shopsmith's "Sawdust Sessions." The scraper video was its premiere. And your right -- poplar plywood cabinets with poplar doors and draw fronts.
@@WorkshopCompanion Well, they certainly do a good job of sprucing up Wayne Pennington's old place (originally built as a livery), and does a good job of hiding McD's in the background through the windows. Or are the cabinets on the west wall?
@@chadnevels246 West wall. There may have been as livery here once, but my information is that this particular building was erected in 1922 to house a Plymouth dealership. We call it the "Charles Furnas Memorial Hangar," even though Charlie's place stood a couple blocks away, where the Mason's Lodge is now. Stop over.
Nice explanation
Beware of the sharp edges when filing
Interesting I didn't know such a thing existed. I myself made similar tools all with different diameters at the end, to fill out inside corners.
I had noticed that they do rater well for scraping but mine are grinded with more of an edge (about 70°).
I’ve been watching videos on how to burnish scrapers. You’re the only person that uses a file and burnisher only.
Everybody else goes on to perfectly smooth them with 1000 grit stones. Then about 30 swipes with the burnisher. You know what I’m talking bout. So, what am I missing? Could anyone help?
I don't know that you're missing anything. Unless, perhaps, it's that In woodworking there are often multiple methods you can employ to achieve the same results. No one method is inherently wrong or even better than another provided it safely produces acceptable results. I simply chose to show two time-efficient ways to restore the cutting edges on a scraper. There are many other ways to do this, some that require more time and equipment. Choose what works best for you.
I was wondering if you could make a burnisher out of an old drill bit?
Super helpful video. One question: why does the easy method only produce a sharp burr on one side? The process looks symmetrical to me.
For the same reason that an angled snowplow pushes snow to one side. The teeth of the file are angled right or left so they cut at an angle. Whichever way they plow the metal, you will get a burr on that side. You will get a tiny burr on the other side -- some of the snow always spills over the leading edge of the plow -- -- but the only usable burr is the one that forms off the trailing edge.
12:04 "feels pretty burry" i laughed out loud.
When using the cabinet scraper should you sharpen the steel scraper at a different bevel angle rather than the mushroom top profile?
I presume by "cabinet scraper," you mean a scraper with a holder similar to the Stanley #80 or #81. Depends on whether you want four cutting edges or two. If you want four cutting edges that you can switch to one at a time, sharpen it just like a normal hand-held cabinet scraper. If the cabinet scraper came with a thick blade (like the Kunz #80), grind the edges to 45 degrees and turn the burr away from the bevel. This will give you just two cutting edges, but each of those will have a larger and more aggressive burr.
I have used a scraper for years. I tried using a burnisher and it worked but when I skipped that and just used the file, it seemed like a very similar result.
Do you have a link to the singlecut, second cut mill file? Love the videos, hate to chase down the tools used in the video.
Read the description. Second paragraph.
This was very helpful. Did you cover sharpening curved scrapers in any of your other videos?
This was my only scraper video.
Nick, the pin in the drill press looks simple. Any reason for not using this on rectangular scrapers?
None whatsoever except that it takes time to set up. Why go to the trouble when all you need to do is hit the straight edges a few licks with a file?
Could I just use the drill press for any shape scraper?
Certainly. As long as the burnishing shaft is harder than the scraper, it will work just fine.
So in searching through my files, I have a couple of mill files that are 'b@stard' coarseness and one that is 'smooth'. I don't have any that are 'second cut'. Would either of the other two coarseness levels work to sharpen card scrapers?
There are actually four levels -- coarse, bastard, second, and smooth. A smooth mill file would work just fine. Be sure to use a single-cut file. This term doesn't refer to a coarseness, but is meant to describe rows of parallel teeth. Avoid double-cut files (with intersecting rows of teeth) -- they are too aggressive and don't leave a consistent burr.
@@WorkshopCompanion
I've search the internet for a "Second Cut" "single Cut" metal file. Not having any luck finding a supplier. Even looking for a used one hasn't produced any results yet.
amzn.to/3tTbYTL@@stevenmarston8923 Nicholson makes good files, you might find them cheaper from grainger - www.grainger.com/product/5ZFZ6?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7oeqBhBwEiwALyHLM25Fr7NCeJNDr4DDvSrVtBdti7hOeFTjOCbHppTN6LjVxAbS5DTkcBoC3kQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
If you google, "second cut file" look through the files that pop up until you find one that only has a single set of cuts running through it. - Travis @@stevenmarston8923
If your thumbs get hot slip a small refrigerator magnet under your thumbs to spread the heat.
Interesting tip. Thanks.
👌👍
Back in the early 60s I was given an all expense paid cruise to South Korea. I was really fun except for the Rifle I was allowed to use. The stock and receiver were so bad I was ashamed to use it. One day I got an idea and got myself a whiskey bottle and carefully broke the thing and collected the glass for a scraper. I scraped the ugly rifle till I got all the dirt from her. This took a month or more when I found a can of linseed oil and began rubbing the pretty stock and receiver till she shined as beautiful as one could believe. I was very careful with her and kept her beautiful. All was well till I was standing guard and a Major General stopped and asked to see my rifle. He told his aide a mere major to take me to armory and get me a different rifle. The general explained that Army issue rifles such as mine were not allowed and I was given another ugly rifle and the General took my rifle and locked it into a cabinet in his office. Can't imagine what he was going to do with an M1 rifle when all he ever carried was a pair of 1911 45s that looked like they came out of a show case.
How about a knife sharpening steel? HRC-63 - 65 and could easily get inside those curves. Just a thought.
my dad would use a broken piece of window glass as a scraper
I notice you don't hone the edge prior to burnishing. I've been taught honing refines the shavings. A file burr would be the coarsest.
A "Bastard"file to me as a Brit is each side of the file has a differing cutting pattern, simply put not the same on each side of the file hence the name.
On this side of the pond, "bastard" indicates the size of the teeth -- coarse, bastard, second, and smooth, from coarse to fine.
save the shavings and you can use them to burnish the wood afterwords.
What did medium-coarse files do to their creator to be permanently named bastards?
There are several possible etymologies, but the most likely is that files once had three common grades, "coarse," "second cut" and "smooth." Sometime in the last two centuries, a manufacturer introduced a fourth grade in between coarse and second cut. Since the grade was irregular (at that time), craftsmen used the word "bastard" to describe it and the nickname stuck.
So if you put this scrapper under your saddle you would have a burr under your saddle?
Like your channel very much but the opening shot of you spinning the hammer and your dog looking worried is a bit disturbing!
Pretty cool and informative but I will absolutely stick to a orbital sander lmao
What the hell is one-sixth-of-a-millimeter??? 😅 Oh my, let it go. Allow me to enlighten you (for a change): point six mil. You've saved me sandpaper; I've saved you 5 syllables ✔️
Actually, one sixth of a millimeter is .1666...mm and as many syllables or six's as there is room for.
@@WorkshopCompanion you are of course correct. Please forgive my clumsy error. I'd been procuring a card scraper yesterday and the options were imprinted on my short term memory. Here in England, the [evident] choices [yesterday] were .4, .6 and .8mm only. Predominantly the latter two.