Replies

1. 
   gary_vaiskauckas | Jan 30, 2022 10:27pm | #1

   bndsley, Card Scrapers are a very simple tool but can be confusing to properly sharpen and use. This is one of the best explanations that I have seen in this video.

   FWW Mike Pekovich: "Handplane Fundamentals: The Card Scraper
   The card scraper is your first tool to grab to clean up any plane tracks or minor tearout left behind by your planes."

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/handplanes/ep-7-card-scraper

   About 12 minutes into Mike's video he shows the proper angle to hold the Card Scaper based upon the "angle of the hook" that he put on the Card Scraper. Every time a Card Scraper is sharpened the angle and the way it cuts might be slightly different.

   Here is a earlier FWW article by Mike: "The Right Way to Sharpen a Card Scraper
   The key is to turn a smaller hook to get better shavings."

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/membership/pdf/10033/011227022.pdf

1. 
   bndsley | Jan 31, 2022 08:10am | #4

   Thank you. I like Mike and have actually reached out to him directly on some subscription/purchase issues. I take a look at these.

2. 
   thebardowl | Jan 31, 2022 09:33am | #9

   Note how Mike uses the burnisher at a very slight angle to produce the hook/burr. He discusses in the first video how if one angles the burnisher too much, the hook that is created will catch & cut only at too acute of an angle, leading to the problem you describe.

2. 
   john_c2 | Jan 31, 2022 01:46am | #2

   Sharpen one by honing the edges and faces -- no hook. Try to scrape with one of the 4 edges. See what it feels like, how the angle is. You won't really get shavings,but it will still have a sweet spot.

   Turn a small burr on one of the remaining 3 edges. Try that out. Continue experimenting.

   Remember, there is turning a heavy burr, and there is the angle of the burnisher when you turn it. The burnisher can be nearly parallel to the edge, or more of an angle. Experiment with that angle, too.

   Take a look for some FWW articles by Phil Lowe on sharpening scrapers. He sold a burnisher that had a very pointy end. He would slide the tip along the face, under the hook, to turn it back up. That would give a consistent angle every time.

   Nail yourself to the bench and experiment. You'll get it right, and then you'll forever get the result you want.

1. 
   bndsley | Jan 31, 2022 08:10am | #5

   Thank you for your reply. I like the thought process.

3. 
   esch5995 | Jan 31, 2022 02:49am | #3

   Sounds like you are having trouble turning the proper hook angle. The above advice is all good and sound but you may find the Veritas variable angle burnisher may shorten the learning curve for you.

   https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/sharpening/32633-veritas-variable-burnisher?item=05K3701

1. 
   bndsley | Jan 31, 2022 08:15am | #6

   Thank you. I have tried this product. The first was defective. The honing rod was broken. I received a replacement but I guess I'm just not smart enough to use it. I can't seem to get it to turn a burr. Maybe I'm trying to get too much of a burr but I'll try all of these suggestions until I get it right.

1. 
   esch5995 | Jan 31, 2022 08:36am | #7

   If you had trouble with this, I do think you may be trying for too much of a Burr. Sharpening a scraper is like learning to ride a bicycle, it seems impossible until you actually do it then it seems so simple you can't believe you struggled to learn how. Keep at you will have your AHAH moment.

2. 
   user-7627473 | Jan 31, 2022 09:50am | #10

   I use the Veritas var. angle burnisher and it works really well. Note when I first learned to use a scraper I used a standard burnishing rod - but prefer this. That said, you must do all the necessary prep AND do it well. You can't shortcut this. I follow roughly M. P's workflow by the way - very good advice.

3. 
   lordulrich | Jan 31, 2022 08:02pm | #16

   I have one as well. I use it to form the initial burr (use it flat for a few passes) but don't like it for turning that burr.

   Just keep experimenting and you will figure it out.

4. 
   thebardowl | Jan 31, 2022 09:10am | #8

   To err in burr forming can kill the whole thing. Just ask Hamilton.

1. 
   stantheman | Jan 31, 2022 10:29am | #11

   you just had to take your shot, didn't you.

1. 
   thebardowl | Jan 31, 2022 04:24pm | #15

   Ooh, nice! ;-)

5. 
   user-1118538293 | Jan 31, 2022 10:53am | #12

   I’m just glad we got to be in the room where it happened.

6. 
   bndsley | Jan 31, 2022 01:27pm | #13

   Thanks to all for the help and advice and historical content.

1. 
   roy.unit8c | Jan 31, 2022 04:00pm | #14

   Sometimes we're good for hysterical content too.