Help needed with spoke shave.

Handrubbed | Posted in Hand Tools on July 21, 2006 08:46am

I purchased my only spoke shave recently form the L-N toolworks. It is the small bronze radiused-sole version. I am confident that my honing is good as my planes are all working well. The correct use of this tool eludes me, so far. I am not getting the type of shavings that my planes produce. Instead I get heavy curls that tend to quickly clog the mouth of the shave and require that I loosen the iron to clear. I have tried it on white oak and cedar to date. From what I read, the radiused sole was probably the wrong choice for my first shave. I also suspect I should have bought the Boggs model…the one I have seems too small in my grasp. I will learn this (or some other version of this) tool, hopefully with some input from my forum friends. If we could start with tool set-up and then move to actual technique, I will be eternally grateful.

Replies

jazzdogg | Jul 21, 2006 09:01pm | #1
Hi Handrubbed,

I also found the throats clogging when I used either of the small brass spokeshaves I acquired from Lie-Nielsen. At first, I thought I was experiencing the problem because I was working green wood (chair making). But, I tried them with KD hardwood and experienced the same results.

I solved the problem by patiently opening their throats using diamond paddles, a little bit at a time, until shavings flowed through without clogging.

Good luck,

-Jazzdogg-

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
DonStephan | Jul 22, 2006 02:51am | #2
Saw in another spokeshave thread that a member found L-N customer service VERY responsive and helpful. You might contact them before making modification to the shave.
deirdresm | Jul 23, 2006 03:19am | #3
It's really designed for super-fine shavings. I find it easiest to set by placing it on some scrap wood, opening it up until it settles, nearly tightening the screw, then rapping the handle on the scrap once on each side before fully tightening (this is a method I learned from the Boggs video on spokeshaves and drawknives). I have one exactly like yours and a Boggs flat-bottomed one.
JeffHeath | Jul 23, 2006 10:14am | #4
The dynamics of a spokeshave are similar to a plane. If you're clogging, it's because you're blade is set for too deep of a cut, and the chip won't fit through the mouth. Set the blade a little shallower.

BTW, I have both of LN's Bogg's flat and round bottom shaves, and they are the best I've ever used.

Jeff
WillGeorge | Jul 23, 2006 10:50pm | #5
Geee.. I thought that was normal.. Gives me time to take a breather while cleaninin' out the chips!