Replies

1. 
   derekcohen | Sep 27, 2008 02:24pm | #1

   Hi Enrico

   Yes you can use a round bottomed spokeshave for flat surfaces. I would not advise it, however, as these types are hard to control, and you would be better off reserving them for specialised use.

   The worst round bottomed spokeshave I have used is the Stanley #51. I tuned it and tuned it, used it lots, and never could get a consistent result. Stay away from it.

   I have a LV LA spokeshave - which has an adjustable mouth. In bullnose setup it can be used on inside curves. I find that there is too much flat in the sole to use it really effectively in this regard. It is a great spokeshave, but best on end grain.

   I have not tried the LN Boggs curved (although I have a Bogg flat, which is superb). From reputation the round should be good.

   The best I have used, and now own, is the HNT Gordon round bottomed shave. It looks pretty large and cumbersome, but it is simply superb on difficult grain. It has a high cutting angle (55 degrees from memory) and will handle just about anything in its path. I did do a review on it and compared it with the unfortunate Stanley #51. There is also a lot of detail about design. You can make up your own mind from the images ...

   http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/THE%20HNT%20GORDON%20SPOKESHAVES.html

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

1. 
   9619 | Sep 27, 2008 03:55pm | #2

   Derek,
   I read your comparison of the Gordon and Stanley spokeshaves. Very convincing. Nice set of tests. I really liked Terry Gordon's answers to your questions. There is a guy who combines good Engineering with good Human Factors. With regard to setting up tests of a piece of equipment -- When I managed the robotics technology research and development program at NASA, one of the best engineers had a phrase (and he practiced it) "I am never finished an evaluation until I have found some things that the device cannot do." Other robot developers only tested their devices to show off their capabilities. This guy kept devising tests until he found things that the robot couldn't do, and thus he characterized the envelope of its abilities. Have fun.
   MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot. 

2. 
   JeffHeath | Sep 27, 2008 06:46pm | #3

   I purchased the LV round spoke shave before the Boggs was available from LN (I have the other 2 shaves from Boggs), and have been extremely pleased with its performance.  I see no difference in quality of work from the three, and I use the LV all the time for shaving curved edges on chair legs, table tops, etc...

   I'd highly recommend it to you for your purpose, as long as it's radius of cut fits in the parameters of what you need for guitar building.  I know little to nothing about luthier work.

   Jeff

3. 
   EdHarrison | Sep 28, 2008 06:43pm | #4

   Flat-soled Stanley 151's are easier to find than the ones with round soles. You can make one with a flat sole 151 into a curved sole with a belt sander. I have done it twice. They work fine. The cutting blade needs to be really sharp and set just right. At that point, they have a lot in common with a carving tool. Good luck.

   PS: I like small wooden spokeshaves made of boxwood (with the flat-style cutter) that were originally made for work on violins and other musical instruments as well as the Stanley 151's. The one I have is a couple hundred years old at least.

1. 
   esc | Sep 28, 2008 06:53pm | #5

   Thank you all for replying. I think I will go with the veritas round sole spokeshave. One more question, I own the veritas MKII sharpening jig. Do you know if I need to buy an extension to sharpen that kind of blade with this jig?
   Thank you Enrico

2. 
   JeffHeath | Sep 29, 2008 10:30pm | #10

   Ed,

   I believe the OP was speaking of the concave spokeshave, not the curve bottom  spokeshave.  It would be difficult to make THAT one with a belt sander!! :)

   Jeff

4. 
   highfigh | Sep 28, 2008 08:44pm | #6

   Don't most luthiers use a draw knife for the curves at the headstock and heel? I think that's what I have seen used on every video. Then, many use a micro-plane for intermediate shaping with rasps and sanding to finesse it to shape.

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
1. 
   esc | Sep 28, 2008 09:59pm | #7

   For what I know they use a flat sole spokeshave. That's what I have been using and it works nicely. The only problem is that I cannot reach the ends which are round. I can only shape the straight part of the neck. That's why I wrote this post. I was thinking that maybe a round sole would give me the chance to start closer to the headstock. I also use the microplane and it works wonderfully well.

1. 
   highfigh | Sep 28, 2008 10:53pm | #8

   The round parts at the heel and headstock are where I meant that a draw knife would work. This is used specifically for that kind of work. "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

   Edited 9/28/2008 3:57 pm by highfigh

1. 
   esc | Sep 28, 2008 11:18pm | #9

   I see. Well, I don't know about drawknives. And actually I wouldn't know how to use them. I think many luthiers use violin knives instead of drawknives. Thanks for the input anyway.