set of scrapers

[curlyoak]

I need a set. I see Highland has 2 sets. One set is offered in 3 different shapes in 2 thicknesses. .016" and .024". And another set from England with 4 shapes in carbon steel .032".

I will be doing a lot of refinishing. I will sand if I can get it into the shop. I want to scrape on the job for dust and hard to get at places.

Will the carbon steel burnish? Will I need a special burnishing rod. What is the best choice?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[Tpt life]

Got a tungsten burnishing rod, no regrets. Might have been LV?

Edit: branded Rockler

[pkinneb]

Here is what I use not the cheapest but certainly one of the easiest I've ever used. 

https://taytools.com/products/accu-burr-carbide-burnisher-rod-only?variant=40041302655063&msclkid=e1879b79c48418a54bbdfc996876dba8&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=[SB] Tier B%3A Shopping - US&utm_term=4580428018619689&utm_content=All Products

[wtnhighlander]

I have a carbide burnishing rod that works great. Before that, I used the shank of a solid carbide router bit. Any steel will burnish, if the burnishing tool is harder.

I'd suggest the thinner stock for hand scraping, it won't cramp your hands so much to hold it flexed. Thicker may last longer if you construct a jig to hold it.

[fcschoenthal]

On 3/23/2025 at 7:54 PM, pkinneb said:

Here is what I use not the cheapest but certainly one of the easiest I've ever used. 

I got one of the Accu-burr right after it came out and love it. It makes sharpening so much quicker and easier, I'm more likely to do it more often. Have you made the holder that Mike shows for sharpening?

[pkinneb]

On 3/23/2025 at 8:09 PM, fcschoenthal said:

I got one of the Accu-burr right after it came out and love it. It makes sharpening so much quicker and easier, I'm more likely to do it more often. Have you made the holder that Mike shows for sharpening?

No but I have one I made that actually holds the file and you put the card scraper in the vise. Gets the same job done just a little differently 

[gee-dub]

+1 on the Accu-Burr.  @curlyoak - I have a number of scrapers in different thicknesses and hardness levels.  Due to dad's passing I have extras.  I could send you a couple. As to the ones that I grab first, they are the "super hard" scrapers and "super thin" scrapers from Lee Valley depending on the task.  My absolutely most used scraper is a cheap Crown rectangle that came in a set with a gooseneck.  I have used the heck outta that thing for over 20 years.

[Tom King]

In addition to card scrapers, this little thing is near the top of the list of things in my Scrape toolbox.  Card scrapers can't touch this for getting in corners and tight places.  I've done a LOT of scraping with it and haven't even worn out the first cutter yet. 

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/scrapers/110314-detail-hand-scraper?

For card scrapers, I can't tell you which thickness I prefer or who made it.  I have a bunch of them and fumble through them until I find one that I like for what I'm doing-doesn't take long.  For decades my best burnisher for card scrapers was a Crown awl, but for fun I've tried a number of different tungsten carbide rods and surprisingly liked this one the best.  It took a while for it to come direct from China though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/183909476311?

My number one used scraper for removing finish and paint, often with heat gun help, is this one sold by flooring suppiers.  Every floor finisher I've ever known, including me, uses one to do room corners where round sanders can't get into.  They come in different widths, but I get more work done with a 1" than any other.  It uses common Red Devil replacement cutters when one is finally filed away.  My favorite sharpener for it is a Simonds 8" red tail smooth file, also sold in flooring supply stores in full boxes.  You need a handle for the file, as the cutter needs to be filed often.

I used it to do the whole edge in this floor because it was faster, less trouble, finished in one swipe ready for finish,  and cleaner than using a sander.  Picture below.

https://www.firstatlantaflooring.com/product/1-in-x-11-in-hardwood-handled-scraper/?

[Coop]

@Tom King, with the scraper only 1” wide to do the whole floor, you must have gone thru a couple pairs of knee pads? Segue to knee pads but hopefully not a hijack. I spend a lot of time on my knees in the garden and yard and find the straps of my pads irritate the area behind my knees, with the straps either crisscrossed or parallel. Tom, do you have a pair that you suggest? 

[pkinneb]

On 3/23/2025 at 8:09 PM, fcschoenthal said:

... Have you made the holder that Mike shows for sharpening?

Here is the one I made / use

 

[fcschoenthal]

On 3/25/2025 at 9:03 PM, pkinneb said:

Here is the one I made / use

Interesting that you've got it filing from the side. All of the others that I've seen file along the length.

The one I made clamps the scraper on the sides. I use two small thin rulers to offset the scraper that thickness and then run it across a diamond stone. Then I run it across a finer stone to polish. After it's polished, I raise the scraper up in the holder and use the Accu-burr. I've got a sharp fresh scraper in under two minutes.

[Tom King]

Coop, my best kneepads are some old leather ones with thick felt padding.  They only have one strap that fastens around the leg under the knee.  I have some other ones that came with two straps that I cut the upper straps off of for places where I don't want to risk ruining the leather ones.  I think these must be close to 50 years old.  I used them to start with for marking off wall plates with the sole plate fastened down and the top plate beside it.  I remember someone saying in the 1970's that it was the first time they'd ever seen anyone with shoes for their knees.

I can get more work done faster with the 1" scraper because I can put more pressure on it.  That scraper I linked has a handle long enough to push down with one hand and pull with the other.  It goes along pretty quickly with some practice.  I doubt that 16' wall took over ten minutes.  When I'm working, I'm working.  I don't get in a hurry to do anything, but don't waste any time at it either.

I've sharpened card scrapers many times with the file laying on the tailgate of my truck and just holding it in my hand to turn the edge with a burnisher.

https://www.amazon.com/Kraft-Tool-WL088-1-Inch-Leather/dp/B00C44OVRI/ref=asc_df_B00C44OVRI?

[Chestnut]

Interesting on the card scraper sharpening. I use my sharepning stones like for my plane blades. I jointed a block so it's as close to 90 as I can get and use the block to hold the scraper. I usually run up through the grits just like a plane blade and get great results.

[pkinneb]

On 3/25/2025 at 9:03 PM, pkinneb said:

Here is the one I made / use

 

I should note that the file is step one I then progress through diamond sharpeners using the same jig.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UVS62S?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5 

[curlyoak]

On 3/25/2025 at 3:32 PM, Tom King said:

They come in different widths, but I get more work done with a 1" than any other.  It uses common Red Devil replacement cutters when one is finally filed away.

  Appears to be a good tool but the final test is approved by Tom King! Thanks Tom A good price and no freight, I ordered 2.

[Tom King]

Sharpen it with complete strokes of the 8" file all the way across.  It's easy to get a camber in the edge if you aren't careful.

[gee-dub]

An old post but, just in case it helps someone . . .

 

[curlyoak]

Just got this to use on my gee-dub card scraper. Have not tried it yet but I'm confident it will work.