Hammer5573 Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 I know that many advanced cabinet makers avoid the use of sandpaper whenever possible. I'm just curious to know how many of you have mastered the use of a card scraper or hand plane instead of sandpaper...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 What’s your question? Just have I? If so, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 Every project and situation will dictate what tools you use. Straight grain - plane/sandpaper. Funky grain like curly maple or some cherry - maybe scraper and sandpaper. It is to your advantage to be able to use all three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 I'll agree that this is not a one or the other sort of thing. My current project has some finish-ready surfaces done with a hand plane, some with a scraper, and still others with sandpaper. None of these are more advanced than the others. You want to use the best tool for the job whenever possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 1, 2023 Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 A lot of folks like the surface finish that reslts from a well-tuned plane or scraper, but I tend to hit the wood with sandpaper, even after planing or scraping. I feel like a properly sanded surface presents a more uniform texture for finish, but it is more time consuming, for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 1, 2023 Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 I tend to agree with @wtnhighlander. I can screw up a nice surface with a hand plane and even a card scraper. I’d have to get really violent to do so with sand paper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted October 1, 2023 Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 I’ve worked in wood shops 37 years and never used a card scraper.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted October 1, 2023 Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 Like most woodworking tools they have their place but having said that I love them and use them often. I started on my sculpted bar stools and have used them extensively on this chair 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer5573 Posted October 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 Thanks for the comments. I guess the reason that I posted this question was because I somehow got the idea that some woodworkers shun the idea of using sandpaper. Glad to hear that I was wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 1, 2023 Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 I think some traditional Japanese woodworking avoids using sandpaper, but I don’t think there’s a large population that’s strictly opposed to sandpaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 2, 2023 Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 17 hours ago, Hammer5573 said: Thanks for the comments. I guess the reason that I posted this question was because I somehow got the idea that some woodworkers shun the idea of using sandpaper. Glad to hear that I was wrong. I avoid it but mostly because i don't think there is as much a place for lower grits for solid wood furniture, with exceptions. A hand plane or scraper is faster and more efficient at bulk smoothing and doesn't round edges like a ROS tends to. I guess maybe it's just more engaging so the time goes faster or isn't as boring? Either way standing holding a vibrating sander is boring as all get out imo, and the challenge of using a smoother or scraper right keep me engaged with the work. Then again I'm a bit more on the shun sandpaper side and am willing to accept the look and feel of a hand plane finished surface. If any of you get to see some of the tables I've made in person be warned. All of my tables have plane tracks and tear out that while minimal are not hard to find. For work that leaves my house I'll finish with a card scraper or plane and then jump strait to 150 or 180 grit. I don't have any paper for my ROS below 120. Also the term cabinet maker sucks. I get your talking about a high end solid wood furniture maker. While technically that's a "cabinet maker" everyone jumps to boring case work like kitchen cabinets. The person that made this is more what meets the definition of a cabinet maker. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted October 2, 2023 Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 Commercial cabinet maker, a residential Cabinet maker and furniture maker are not the same. . I’ve done all three professionally and each have different needs. There is also a huge difference between being a one man professional shop and business with many employees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.