Between T-Chisel and The Wood Whisperer I have been convinced I need to learn to use a card scraper. So, I bought 2 on Amazon.com. One I figured I would mess up beyond repair, and one to be able to actually use.
I don’t know if anyone else has had problems with sharpening card scrapers but its been a pain in my butt. I’ve just had a hard time justifying the purchase of a burnisher, about $25, and sharpening stones, a lot of dollars – or sandpaper. Then you really need to build some jigs to hold things perpendicular. It seems like a lot of work and expense to sharpen a $6 tool.
After searching Google for some more tips on sharpening a scraper I ran across this website -
www.woodtube.ning.com/video/the-easy-way-to-sharpen-a-card
It was posted by Todd Clippinger at www.amcraftsman.com.
He shows his technique for sharpening a card scraper with just a file clamped in a vice.
I tried it today. THIS TECHNIQUE IS AWESOME!!! It worked just like the video. This is my kind of system. Its quick, its easy, and its cheap.
If anyone else is looking for a really slick way to sharpen their scrapers, or just a different way, you need to check this out.
Dan
-- Oregon
4 comments so far
Karson
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25871 posts in 1300 days
posted 257 days ago
Todd is an active participant on this site and he posted the videos here first.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Todd A. Clippinger
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5655 posts in 999 days
posted 257 days ago
Hey Dan!
I was really excited to see another success story for sharpening the card scraper.
I am also glad that you found your way to LJ!
I think that you will get great use out of the card scraper and find it to be an indispensable tool.
I had a frustrating time learning to sharpen the scraper with the burnishing technique. I happened to try using the scraper after using just the file and it worked great.
From the feedback I have received so far, this has helped several people to get going on the card scraper that were previously frustrated with trying to sharpen it. I believe that many will move on to using the burnishing method once they feel comfortable with the mechanics of this sharpening method and understand how to use the scraper.
After 11 years I still do not burnish my scrapers. And don’t worry about them getting worn down too fast from the file, I still have and use my original scrapers after 11 years of using this method.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
roundabout22
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78 posts in 986 days
posted 256 days ago
Dan, I know exactlly what you mean. I tried many times to get my card scrapper to work but it never did until Todd posted his video.
Thanks for the new insight Todd.
-- remember always measure once and cut twice
Todd A. Clippinger
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5655 posts in 999 days
posted 256 days ago
Roundabout – I’ll chalk another one up in the success column. Thanks for the feedback.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com