One of the most important tools in my kit is the “scraper”. I have a variety of shapes to include a convex, concave, gooseneck & rectangular. Each one has come into play at some point in time while making bows. A scraper has a variety of uses in bow making as well. It is a great finesse tool for bringing in tillers because of the small and precise wood removal. It can be used to remove tool marks, which saves a lot of sanding time and paper. It can also be used as a “gauge” along the bows limbs to detect flat spots while tillering.
All that being said…a scraper is no good to anyone if it doesn’t have the edges dressed properly. This is certainly not the only way to dress one, but it is how I do it. Don’t let the name fool you into thinking your “scraping” wood off a bows limb. Properly dressed it “cuts” instead of scrapes (yeah I guess it scrapes it off). It can remove fine ribbons of material or it can hog off substantial material as well. The cutting action comes from a “burr” that is rolled onto the edge of the scraper.
To obtain the “burr” we desire you will need the following:
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1) |
A vise, clamps or some other means to hold the scraper while allowing you access to the edge. |
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2) |
A 10” or 12” Mill Bastard file. |
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A hardened steel punch or drill rod. |
Begin by laying the scraper on a flat object on its side. Take the file and lay it flat on the scraper and remove any existing “burr” that may be present. Be sure and do both sides.
Now…place the scraper edge up in your vise or what ever device you have chosen. Take the file and lay it flat across the edge to as close to 90 deg to the sides ass you can get. Use your fingers as guides and to help steady the file. Begin pushing and pulling (draw filing) the edge of the scraper from end to end. You can feel when the file starts to cut or bite. The edge of the scraper will become shiny. Note: The closer you get the edge to 90 deg the better the burr you can roll…so pay attention to the file angles and keep it steady. Also if you hone the edge with a stone you will get even better results, but I usually just use a file. Do all four edges the same way.
Now, you need to repeat this whole process again…
Trust me on this you need to do it.
Once everything is all filed and nice and square, Take your hardened rod of choice (I use a steel drift) and wipe the edge lightly a few times holding a little lower than 90 deg to the sides.
Now, wipe the edge a little harder and a little lesser angle as you begin to roll the hook. Test it with your fingernail…you can feel it.
Do all eight edges the same way until you have all the edges rolled. Now you ready to “roll”…:>)
Hope this helps….
Take care.. Sparky
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