Thread: Suitable metal for card scraper?

traditionally they were made from old hand saw blades.

Somebodies bound to know a good source of steel. Schtoo no doubt will have some good info.

What Echnidna said sounds right. I've tried it, but it failed for me. Well, I probably failed, in not doing it right. I just cut out the shape I wanted from an old saw, sharpened and burnished it....only lasted a few strokes before the burr crumbled....and no, I didn't burn the steel when cutting out the shape....maybe you gota harden/temper it....or maybe you gota make them from good quality saws.

If I was you, I'd just buy them. $10 for a card scraper. Last you many years.

Ah. My tool steel will be too thick then. The thinnest plate I have is 2.5mm.

Now all I have to do is convince myself that one of my retired "trophies" hanging on the wall would be best put to other use. But they all have their own stories to tell... perhaps a trip to the local flea market will provide a better sacrificial offering.

I have a feeling that a modern blade with hardpoint teeth might be the go as you could harden and temper it.

2.5mm would do if you mounted it in a handle like a scratch-stock.

They only cost around ten bucks new. Are you that skint?

Skint? No. I wasn't aware they were so cheap when I first posed the question, but the challenge has presented itself and I'm feeling up to it.

I'm one of those silly buggers who gets warm fuzzy feelings when they make something from scratch. 'Tis true others rarely recognise the fruits of my labours and they may not do the job as well (or as safely) as store-bought tools, but that's irrelevant.

And the failures are often educational in their own right.

I use old power hacksaw blades, grind the teeth off, cut it to the length I want then sharpen. the blades are made from spring steel and hold a sharp edge for ages. they are also easy to shape into any profile you wish.
most metal machine shops just chuck the used ones in the bin, so if there's a workshop nearby just ask them 1 day if they have any old blades. they also make bloody good paint scrapers and knives

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I'm one of those silly buggers who gets warm fuzzy feelings when they make something from scratch.

Fair enough. I'd look out for an old handsaw then if I were you.
Leonard Lee has a chart in his sharpening book on the relative hardness of hand tools.

From memory the card scarpers were around 48 - 50 Rockwell.

So any medium hard steel would do I'd reckon. Some people use old hacksaw blades, or so I've been told.

Skew,
I use bits of colourbond and zincalume that have come off the guillotine. The guillo gives them a slight burr and the steel seems to be reasonably hard. When the burr wears off all four edges it becomes a putty/bog applicator. I don't know how hard it is compared to the real thing but they work for me. If you can find a sheetmetal shop that punches out gutters for rectangular droppers you're set.

Mick (the lazy electron burner)

At Sturt they use 0.3mm spring steel for their dovetail saw projects, and this is good for scrapers too. You can buy it by the roll that would probably last you several lifetimes - don't know where you'd get small pieces. Possibly worth trying the scrap bins at an engineering shop.

Here is my secret source of steel ...... shhh ...I will say it only once ..

Go to Bunnings and search out the floor scrapers. They sell the replacement blades as well. I have bought them in two sizes, 8" and 14" lengths. About $8 - $10 respectively. They are "Blue Spring Steel".

Now I am not sure if this is really economical for card scrapers - cheaper to go to Carba-tec or cut up an old saw - but I am trying my hand at a few backsaws and these are perfect for that purpose (thickness-wise, size-wise, and steel quality-wise).

Leave some for me.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Like the others have mentioned, old saws can be picked up for real cheap sometimes.

In addition to the source Derek mentions, drywall compound spreaders are another source for blue tempered spring steel.

But the cheapest is usually good old saws. Just make sure to obtain ones that are not pitted.

Take care, Mike