Surform instead of a flat rasp?

603 posts in 881 days

299 days ago

I have a Nicholson half-round rasp that works fine, but I need a flat rasp, too. I can’t find a flat rasp at the usual home centers or even some of the specialty stores.

Why are inexpensive flat rasps so hard to find? (I know I can buy a fancy, hand-stitched rasp for the price of three tanks of gas, but I prefer driving to work over walking.)

Will a long surform do a decent job in place of a flat rasp (especially on end-grain)?

-- More tools, fewer machines.

7 replies so far

wingate_52 home \| projects \| blog 203 posts in 767 days #1 posted 299 days ago	Try a Microplane or an Iwasaki rasp.
Tennessee home \| projects \| blog 1165 posts in 712 days #2 posted 299 days ago	I’ve just about gone to microplanes completely. They take off the wood at a predictable rate, don’t clog as easily, and are lighter to use. Got a drawer full of rasps and files… -- Paul, Tennessee, http://www.tsunamiguitars.com
Brett home \| projects \| blog 603 posts in 881 days #3 posted 299 days ago	Do microplanes require that the cutting surface be replaced periodically (as with a Surform)? -- More tools, fewer machines.
tenontim home \| projects \| blog 2130 posts in 1942 days #4 posted 299 days ago	I use these from Lee Valley. I real happy with how they work. http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,42524&p=63451 -- Tim-- http://www.tmuli.com
dhazelton home \| projects \| blog 849 posts in 494 days #5 posted 299 days ago	A surform is cheap so just try it. I think they are intended for softer materials like bondo or plaster (sculptors) but on soft wood, maybe.
David Kirtley home \| projects \| blog 1250 posts in 1196 days #6 posted 298 days ago	I really like the Shinto Rasps. They are pretty aggressive but they do leave a pretty good finish. There is one plane style with an offset handle and a straight style. Coarse on one side and “not so coarse” on the other. -- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/
waho6o9 home \| projects \| blog 3070 posts in 775 days #7 posted 298 days ago	http://us.microplane.com/microplanewoodworking.aspx

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Surform instead of a flat rasp?

7 replies so far

Have your say...

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Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.

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Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...

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