Anyone tried the new microplane rasps???

Michael6255 | Posted in General Discussion on February 17, 2003 05:33am

Hello. I was thinking that I could try them out on a project that I have which is beveling/chamfering the underside of a porringer table. I’ll initially use a plane, but would like to give the microplane a try. How do you like this tool?

Mike ………in Snowy Clarksboro, NJ

Replies

Curtis | Feb 17, 2003 06:05pm | #1
Hi Mike

I like it. the only problems Ive noticed is you have to use light preasure on the plane so not to bend it. the microplane cuts verry nicely,I belive it is a good buy.

Ive never used mine on plywood or any man made meterail . but it works great on everything Ive used it go so far. C.A.G.
TomS | Feb 17, 2003 06:16pm | #2
The one I have I use to grate cheese, but I guess you could use it for woodworking.

It should do well, from everything I have heard about them.

TomS
Clay | Feb 18, 2003 07:20pm | #3
They are much sharper than the old surform tools. They do leave tooth marks which have to be sanded out . They cut pretty quickly. They are faster than rasps with a similar surface quality.
levinstudio | Feb 19, 2003 04:21am | #4
A far superior product is the Shinto Saw Rasp available from http://www.thejapanwoodworkercatalog.com/c/g8/p/029f.html

It only comes in a flat surface, but will do rings around micro plane rasps, surforms and even the Nicholson Pattern Maker files #49 & #50. I learned about these a number of years ago in an article about Sam Maloof. It's what he uses to do most of the shaping on his chairs and rockers.

Good luck,

Mark Levin

http://www.marklevin.com

Michael6255 | Feb 19, 2003 06:39am | #5
Thanks Mark.....I appreciate the tip. -Mike

davamoore | Feb 19, 2003 05:58pm | #6
Mike, ditto what most of the others have said. I have a set of these rasps and they do a decent job, but because they're somewhat flimsy they do require a light touch. Also, unlike the rasps Mark mentioned, they don't have a secondary handle above or at the far end of the rasp, so all of the work has to be done one-handed (unless you wrap a cloth around the end of the rasp and hold it carefully). That, in my mind, leads to a certain loss of control and is another reason why you have to work with a light touch.

David"The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad