Thread: Scraping BIG planes & source of scrapers

Originally Posted by snafuspyramid

Hi guys,

I'd like to scrape some more handplanes.

I had a bit of fun scraping (and diamond filing) a #4 a few months ago. Pretty happy with the results. I used an extremely cheap Chinese scraper. I also tried a file kindly ground for me and donated by a forum member, but this didn't work as well.

However, I'm limited by two things. First, the scraper. Ugh. Can anyone suggest a source for a decent scraper that won't cost too much? HSS would be just fine - I don't have the equipment to sharpen carbide. Or decent hardened O1. The main thing is the length - the short file-like scraper isn't comfortable to use for very long.

Second, my surface plate. I have a wee Carbatec surface plate, which works fine for the #4 and #5, but would probably be too small for the #6 or #8 I want to scrape. Glass deflects far too much. Can I overlap sections of plane sole bluing?

You might try Mactool on this forum, he still might have some repaceable tip ones like this one. I know you said you don't have the means to sharpen carbide, but it is well worth the effort. but at least with a repaceble tip you can put what ever you like in.

No you can't overlap, becasue the is no way to see the error and you'll end up with a bow or a twist. The answer is get a bigger plate. That being said, you can get away with a little overlap, but you are working blind. I don't think it would be possible to do a #6 or #8 on the small carbatec plate.