Thread: Scrappers, skews

Originally Posted by Babytoolman

I am going to buy some tool blanks and i would like to know what type of scrappers and skew chisels people use. I have a round nose and a squared end scrapper. I have a square skew and an oval skew. I understand that the standard rectangle skew is the most simple to use.

any thoughts.

All depends on what you want to do with them. I just bought (ie arrived in the post tonight) two steel blanks. One for a small square end scraper for boxwork, the other a large bowl scraper. I only have the one skew currently and have not noticed any need for a square version of the same, perhaps a smaller version say 1/2" but not swapping to a square just for the heck of it.

I have two scrapers I made from carbatec supplied blanks.
One is 10mm wide with a standard rounded end, and the other is an inch wide with a flat end and the cutting edge running about 50mm up the left hand side of the scraper - this one is great for working the wides of bowls.
For both scrapers I simply copied the angle on the scraper in my carbatec set and they're the best scrapers I have.

I'm not sure I would bother making a skew unless it was a really oddball shape for a certain job. I have the 1 inch skew that came with my carbatec chisel set, and I bought a Hamlet half inch skew - for general turning these are all I need.

There is no rule to what chisels you should buy, work out what work you want to do and then get tools to suit.
Cheers
Paul

I have a 1/2" square end scraper, a 1/2" domed scraper, two 1 1/2" left and right skewed scrapers, and a 1 1/2" round end scraper. One 1/2" skew chisel and one 1 1/4" square end chisel.

Are you going to buy annealed tool steel and harden it yourself.