Please Tell Me The Secret Of Scrapers!

[darita]

First time I tried using scrapers, I purchased the scraper and burnisher.  I thought I followed all the instructions.  When it came time to try it out, nothing but a little dust.  No matter what I did, nothing but dust.  So I put it all away.  Now, years later, I went to dig it all out and give it another try, but I discovered that I lost the scrapers.
I went online a purchased a Two Cherries scraper and a Bahco scraper.  I went on Youtube and watched several videos showing how to prepare the scraper.  Again, i thought I followed all the instructions, but guess what happened...nothing but dust...oh, and a few shavings.  My hands finally gave out trying to get the scraper to work, so I put it all away again.
What's the secret?  What am I not doing right?  Why do my hands give out so quickly when I use the scraper?

 

[atomicmike]

I struggled with sharpening and using the scraper until I watched this video: http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/scraper-sharpening-w-william-ng/

 

[CharlesWilson]

The real secret about scrapers is that once you figure out how to put a good edge on them, you will always have one handy. It took me more than twenty years to learn that secret.

Charles

 

[tiralie]

Try changing the angle you drag the scraper across your stock. If you burnish at too sharp an angle it will roll the hook closed.
The easiest way I have found to put an edge on the scraper is to use a Dremel with a silicon carbide bit. When the burr gets dull, the use the burnished to create another.
Tim

 

[polarsea1]

Sometimes I pull the scraper but I usually push it. Try bowing the scraper forward slightly with your thumbs while pushing it.  I joint my old Sandvik scraper with a file and just put a light burr on it.

 

[mouppe]

If you're producing dust, the likeliest reason is because the hook is not sharp enough. File it off, joint, hone and turn it again. The hook does not need to be too aggressive.

I prefer thinner scrapers- the thicker ones are harder to bend. This might be why your hands are giving up? I'm not a master of the scraper, but I find them useful in a pinch for dealing with small areas where a plane won't go, and particularly along jointed panels where the grain runs in opposite directions either side of the joint.

 

[Rob Lee]

First time I tried using scrapers, I purchased the scraper and burnisher.  I thought I followed all the instructions.  When it came time to try it out, nothing but a little dust.  No matter what I did, nothing but dust.  So I put it all away.  Now, years later, I went to dig it all out and give it another try, but I discovered that I lost the scrapers.
I went online a purchased a Two Cherries scraper and a Bahco scraper.  I went on Youtube and watched several videos showing how to prepare the scraper.  Again, i thought I followed all the instructions, but guess what happened...nothing but dust...oh, and a few shavings.  My hands finally gave out trying to get the scraper to work, so I put it all away again.
What's the secret?  What am I not doing right?  Why do my hands give out so quickly when I use the scraper?

Hi -

Two most common mistakes - too steep a burnishing angle, and applying too much pressure.

1) Prepare the scraper edge - edge should form a smooth 90 degree angle to the face.
2) take a couple of initial passes with the burnisher perpendicular to the scraper
3) then take several passes at 5 degrees or so, finishing up around 8-10 degrees...

Our online instructions are here: (start at step 3!) Burnishing Instructions

Cheers -

Rob

 

[zapdafish]

my impression is that most people put on too much of a hook when they burnish. I had an old timer show me how he used it and I could just barely feel the hook with my fingernail and we were taking shavings off of red oak. I was amazed.

they gave my low angle LV jack plane a run for its money  ;D When done right protect your thumbs from the heat. A tuned scrapper is a thing of beauty and get very hot very fast.

 

[colevalleytim]

The veritas instructions are pretty good

If you're getting dust, not shavings (as mentioned earlier) 3 things:
didn't start with a smooth, 90 edge
Not enough of a burr (least likely)
Too severe a burr angle (most likely)

the scraper is meant to be pushed at almost 90, if the burr is catching almost flat to the stock, the angle is too severe

As for holding the scraper, the method I teach:  make a peace sign with your fingers, wrap that around the corner of the scraper, join you thumbs together in the middle, bend the scraper away from you as you push

good luck
tim

 

[darita]

OK...So I decided to give it one more try, using the techniques mentioned here, with a few minor mods, like using diamond stones.  Got it all done and tried it on my test piece of wood...dust again!  Then I remembered what you said about scrapers not working well on pine.  I broke out a scrap of oak and gave it another try...success!  Why didn't I try this earlier!  Anyhow, I'm sure they are not really good shavings, but at least it's progress.  This time, I could really feel the edge bite into the oak. 
I've learned a lot about scrapers here and I thank you all for the help.  Here's a pic...

 

[farms100]

i'll add a couple tips

Many people put too much hook angle so they have to tip the scraper way over in order to use it.

Also some wood like poplar don't really scrape well no matter how good your edge is.