Thread: Using some saw steel scraps

Hi Ian,

Very creative and great way to use the offcuts.

I find the 20thou plate a bit too thin for scrapers.

I made a flush cut saw a while back, just set on one side, but I made the blade a bit wider than yours, so it sits nice and flat. Must take a picture.

You have inspired me to make a veneering saw...

Regards
Ray

Ian, will you stop it! Lovely work as usual. Actually, can I borrow the veneer saw this afternoon?

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Ian, will you stop it! Lovely work as usual. Actually, can I borrow the veneer saw this afternoon?

No sweat old chap - just drop over any time after 5:30.

I'm on my way!

Originally Posted by RayG

I find the 20thou plate a bit too thin for scrapers.

'Tis a bit, for full-size cards, but ok for small scrapers (for scraping inside curves on saw handles, for e.g. ). and just right for scratch-stock blades.
The Bunnies scrapers are just about ideal at 0.8mm, though, so I've ended up with a couple of good bits from those. A $12 scraper would make about 5 "standard" card scrapers - considering scrapers are priced at at least $8, & often considerably more, each, I will never buy another card scraper again!
Mind you, I have only worn one scraper down to the point where it's hard to hold comfortably, since I started using them 30 years ago, so I reckon I have barely enough time left to demolish more than another one, anyway!

Cheers,

You can make your own cabinet scrapers?
It is so obvious when I think about it, but it has just never dawned on me.

Now I guess from reading between the lines of the postings this has been discussed before, any chance of a pointer to a "How to make a scraper" type of posting. I can't seem to find one.

Thanks

Chris

Originally Posted by haggismuncher

You can make your own cabinet scrapers?
It is so obvious when I think about it, but it has just never dawned on me.

Now I guess from reading between the lines of the postings this has been discussed before, any chance of a pointer to a "How to make a scraper" type of posting. I can't seem to find one.

Thanks

Chris

Hi Chris - I suppose the instructions would go something like:

1. Obtain one Bunnies scraper blade.
2. Mark into however many shapes & sizes you desire.
3. Clamp between a couple of bits of scrap steel & cut using a 1mm cutoff blade in your angle grinder (it is possible to cut this stuff with a hacksaw, but wear ear protectors for the screech, & be prepared to put a new blade in every 200mm or so).
4. Clean up with file, then sharpen edges & burnish etc, as you would for the store-bought variety.

The blued surface of the Bunnies scrapers need a bit more cleaning, the first time you sharpen, but after that, they are absolutely no different from the bits of steel you pay much more for from the store. They are just about the perfect hardness for the job, & all the bits I've tried have rolled a good edge that lasts well.

Cheers,

Thanks Iain,
Just one question (to finally prove how stupid I am)

Originally Posted by IanW

1. Obtain one Bunnies scraper blade.

What sort of blade are we talking about here?

Chris

Originally Posted by haggismuncher

Thanks Iain,
Just one question (to finally prove how stupid I am)

What sort of blade are we talking about here?

Chris

Hi Chris,
They are builders' 'floor scraper' replacement blades, sold in the tool section of Bunnies - about 350mm long by 150 by 0.8mm thick. They have several mounting holes along one edge which you can work around or cut off.

Sorry - one forgets people don't read every thread on this BB!

Cheers,

I think this is the type of thing you're after.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

I think this is the type of thing you're after.

Yup, pretty close WW, only the blades you buy here have 4 mounting holes instead of the slotted holes like that. The upper corners are chamfered off, too, so the blade is part trapezium. I don't have an intact one, or I would have posted you a pic.

Cheers,

Hi to IanW, & Others,
In 2009, I cut up an Old Hand Saw, with those 1mm. Cutting Discs, Cleaned them up, & passed them on to my Carving Friends. I found they worked fairly well.
I just Filed them to the best of my ability, & then used a big 3/8in.x 18in. Screwdriver, to Burnish the Edges of the plates I cut up. They are a little Stiff, so the next lot will be a little longer, & not as deep, so I can give them that slight bend, That's my 2C,s worth.
Regards,
issatree.

Thanks, I'll have to get down to Bunnies and get one to play with.