Fella, you are THE dude! If you're as good a guitar maker as you are a teacher, then they'll be the best guitars. I was taught to use a scraper back at school but never shown how to sharpen one. No fear of the scraper here and thanks to you, no fear of sharpening one either. Thank you for taking the time and effort to walk the community through the process.
Have watched many tutorial videos, but to be honest , that was the best I have ever seen, clear precise and on point . Just to follow up I now have a sharp scraper.
Hey Ben. Thanx for this video. I'm an old timer but most of my finish work has been with the dreaded sandpaper or hand planners. Ran into a few boards with incredible milling tear-out on hard wood that I was spending hours on. Finally resorted to an old card scrapper that's been hanging unused on my pegboard for 20+ years. Worked but I knew it was dull. So I started checking on card scrapper videos. Your's rocks!!! Subed - appreciate the detail (I'm a detail kinda person), so most videos left me wanting more!! LOL. Great job! best . . . paul
Thank you very much. The positive comments are very much appreciated, and that is exactly what Ben wants to achieve. Content that will help and teach so your feedback is good to know. DC
Brilliant! I knew you could teach this properly, instead of just showing how you have learned to do it. Now I know why I have been struggling; insufficient angle control and unpolished burnisher. Now my already rather nice collection of scrapers will finally get to be used the way they deserve. Thank you!
I have watched many videos about scraper sharpening before and never got it. I sometimes got a reasonable edge, sometimes not, and I didn't know why. One lesson from you and I just went and made me 8 extremely well cutting edges on the same scraper on the first attempt. You are really good at this, you know :-)
I purched a german made scraper then went about watching 4-5 instructional vids on how to prepare it for work - I found that all the methods varied so I did it my own way - I flattened/smoothed it out with a 3000 grit diamond plate then polished it with 6000 grit micro mesh before creating the curf with the shaft of a quality screwdriver. The outcome was great, I got nice shavings and a smooth finish.
Having watched a few of these vids I've started to use scrapers and can't say how pleased I am with them. Thanks for the tips. Also, your method of restringing is spot on, really saves time. Good to see you at the guitar show on sunday. I got some great ideas there.
Great video Ben. I was taught to make my own scrapers from worn out hard point saw blades cutting the required shape and then sharpening in the workshop for fine work.
One of my worst injuries was when I slipped while filing a custom scraper shape and my palm sliced down the still ragged piece of steel! Thanks for reminding me :( B
I can only say ouch mine have been with chisels the worse with a circular saw imbedded in my hand much to the hilarity of fellow joiners on site but most tool no matter which type are very save if taking care 😅
I picked up one of those Veritas jointer/edger file holder jigs at an auction for 5 bucks. Needless to say, that auction had the nicest collection of hand tools I will ever see for sale in person at one time.
Great videos. I used your videos to sharpen my chisels last week while fixing my dining room table. After sharpening on a stone they were cutting with little effort. I did get a little careless at one point and managed to put a good slice in my chin, but because the edge was so keen it closed up quick. Lesson learned.
Crimson Custom Guitars I was in my shed, it was hot, I reached up with to wipe the sweat off my brow with my arm. I wasn't thinking and used the same arm I was holding the chisel in, rookie mistake. As I moved my arm across my face the dangling chisel caught me on the chin.
I’ve discovered scrapers work great in my carving processes. It’s the sheen of the wood after being finished with a scraper that you can’t reproduce in any other method.
I have used over the years A pinion shaft from a differential gear unit.Very hard steel and highly polished.Being an auto mechanic I had these laying around.A fuel pump drive rod is great also.Thinner than the pinion shaft and easier to handle.
Not mentioned in the video is to use a 30 or so degree edge angle, rather than 90 degree surfaces. It produces a much more aggressive cutting action for quick stock removal, particularly for removing machining marks such as left behind by a plane iron, jointer or planer "tracks". Also not mentioned in the video is the use of a much thicker - 1/8" or so thick - scraper. They have a variety of advantages in some applications and can often be used one-handed since one doesn't rely upon flexing them to cut.
My pleasure.. This is the one video in the series that I was worried about, there are so many methods but in the end it boils down to the same process, just different levels of polish required depending on the finish you want to end up with..
Thanks for the wonderful tutorial Ben, great stuff. What would you say the absolute minimum thickness for a scraper? I've read here of others saying they made their scrapers out of this or that... Is there a minimum thickness? I would think that something too thin wouldn't hold an edge for very long. Cheers!
Depends on the hardness, I would say 0.3mm or so, many people have used old Japanese saws to make scrapers and my thinnest are about that. They take a fine edge and are for detailed work, I prefer thin over thick scrapers greatly
+Crimson Custom Guitars Thank you, I just happen to work beside a place where they throw stuff like that away all the time, sheet metal ductwork, and they get rid of a lot, sometimes stainless steel. Thank you and I love the sharpening videos.
How many times should you develop the burr. I saw you rubbed the burnisher 5 times then you where a for away. I do not have a burnisher. What can I use instead? A drill bit? Where I live it's hard enough just to find a scraper let alone a burnisher which I have never seen so getting such specialist tools is either too expensive to import or just not possible.
Dear Sir, Thank you for the sharpening series. It really answered a lot of questions i had when choosing proper one for my self. Regarding scraper sharpening take a look at The Guild of NH Woodworkers at vimeo: vimeo.com/83307823 Terry Moore has a method that is brilliantly fast and simple. His part of presentation starts at about 1:13:00 although whole presentation is excellent . Actually all videos from The Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers are great. Again thank you.
Fella, you are THE dude! If you're as good a guitar maker as you are a teacher, then they'll be the best guitars. I was taught to use a scraper back at school but never shown how to sharpen one. No fear of the scraper here and thanks to you, no fear of sharpening one either. Thank you for taking the time and effort to walk the community through the process.
Have watched many tutorial videos, but to be honest , that was the best I have ever seen, clear precise and on point . Just to follow up I now have a sharp scraper.
Hey Ben. Thanx for this video. I'm an old timer but most of my finish work has been with the dreaded sandpaper or hand planners. Ran into a few boards with incredible milling tear-out on hard wood that I was spending hours on. Finally resorted to an old card scrapper that's been hanging unused on my pegboard for 20+ years. Worked but I knew it was dull. So I started checking on card scrapper videos. Your's rocks!!! Subed - appreciate the detail (I'm a detail kinda person), so most videos left me wanting more!! LOL. Great job! best . . . paul
Thank you very much. The positive comments are very much appreciated, and that is exactly what Ben wants to achieve. Content that will help and teach so your feedback is good to know. DC
By far the best scraper sharpening video I have seen. And I have (sadly) watched a lot of them.
Thanks Master Luthier Ben for this series of videos. But also for all the vids in your podcast, very informative and helpful.
Thank you for making this video, I just learned how to use and sharpen and shape scrapers today, this took it to the next level, you rule.
Brilliant! I knew you could teach this properly, instead of just showing how you have learned to do it. Now I know why I have been struggling; insufficient angle control and unpolished burnisher. Now my already rather nice collection of scrapers will finally get to be used the way they deserve. Thank you!
+esa062 You are most welcome, have fun sharpening!
I have watched many videos about scraper sharpening before and never got it. I sometimes got a reasonable edge, sometimes not, and I didn't know why. One lesson from you and I just went and made me 8 extremely well cutting edges on the same scraper on the first attempt. You are really good at this, you know :-)
Nice video Ben. I always use a method learned from my father, and simple, use the flat side of a chisel. Works perfectly, if you do it right.
I purched a german made scraper then went about watching 4-5 instructional vids on how to prepare it for work - I found that all the methods varied so I did it my own way - I flattened/smoothed it out with a 3000 grit diamond plate then polished it with 6000 grit micro mesh before creating the curf with the shaft of a quality screwdriver. The outcome was great, I got nice shavings and a smooth finish.
Having watched a few of these vids I've started to use scrapers and can't say how pleased I am with them. Thanks for the tips. Also, your method of restringing is spot on, really saves time. Good to see you at the guitar show on sunday. I got some great ideas there.
you used that scraper and sharpened it just like my old shop teacher did to my classv50 years ago.I remember it well thx for the memory
Great video Ben. I was taught to make my own scrapers from worn out hard point saw blades cutting the required shape and then sharpening in the workshop for fine work.
One of my worst injuries was when I slipped while filing a custom scraper shape and my palm sliced down the still ragged piece of steel! Thanks for reminding me :( B
I can only say ouch mine have been with chisels the worse with a circular saw imbedded in my hand much to the hilarity of fellow joiners on site but most tool no matter which type are very save if taking care 😅
I picked up one of those Veritas jointer/edger file holder jigs at an auction for 5 bucks. Needless to say, that auction had the nicest collection of hand tools I will ever see for sale in person at one time.
Great videos. I used your videos to sharpen my chisels last week while fixing my dining room table. After sharpening on a stone they were cutting with little effort. I did get a little careless at one point and managed to put a good slice in my chin, but because the edge was so keen it closed up quick. Lesson learned.
In your chin!? Oh my god man, how in the hell did that happen? Glad I helped get it sharp though ;)
Crimson Custom Guitars I was in my shed, it was hot, I reached up with to wipe the sweat off my brow with my arm. I wasn't thinking and used the same arm I was holding the chisel in, rookie mistake. As I moved my arm across my face the dangling chisel caught me on the chin.
Your story reminds me of a similiar one at one of our abbatoirs. Exact same situation only it was the forehead that he cut. Definite rookie mistake!
I was shown how to burnish a scraper using the smooth shaft of a drill bit. Worked pretty well to
Great tut Ben. Once again, you've convinced me that the way I'm skinning the cat may not be the best way.
How do you sharpen your scrapers?
File and a pin. Constant work to keep them sharp.
Even watching people sharpen tools is relaxing.
Great explanation, Ben. Now I know what to do to get my scraper working right.
I’ve discovered scrapers work great in my carving processes. It’s the sheen of the wood after being finished with a scraper that you can’t reproduce in any other method.
Another option for a sharpening is a tool for keeping the edges of skis keen. They have several angles built in, but they do have a 90 degree surface.
Thanks Ben.Always great tips from the Master.
I have used over the years A pinion shaft from a differential gear unit.Very hard steel and highly polished.Being an auto mechanic I had these laying around.A fuel pump drive rod is great also.Thinner than the pinion shaft and easier to handle.
17:13 "Through the act of working it, it makes it harder"
Still noone commented on that???? :DDDD
Love your vids Ben!!!! \m/,
¡Excelente! VERY informative. Muchas gracias from Costa Rica
The definitive masterclass
Not mentioned in the video is to use a 30 or so degree edge angle, rather than 90 degree surfaces. It produces a much more aggressive cutting action for quick stock removal, particularly for removing machining marks such as left behind by a plane iron, jointer or planer "tracks". Also not mentioned in the video is the use of a much thicker - 1/8" or so thick - scraper. They have a variety of advantages in some applications and can often be used one-handed since one doesn't rely upon flexing them to cut.
thank you Ben. that was a big help
Thank you Ben.
My pleasure.. This is the one video in the series that I was worried about, there are so many methods but in the end it boils down to the same process, just different levels of polish required depending on the finish you want to end up with..
How did you flatten that triangular file to make a Burnisher? Thanks
I made two nice scrapers from a dull Japanese saw blade because the teeth were to fine for me to sharpen them
Me too.They work fantastic !
Great vid!
excellent
how would you go about polishing a burnisher?
23:50 Only pull, don't push (says the Veritas manual)
Maybe make some triangular polished burnishers for the pre-christmas sales?
Thanks for that excellent tutorial. How do you polish the concave edge of your kidney scraper?
Thanks for the wonderful tutorial Ben, great stuff. What would you say the absolute minimum thickness for a scraper? I've read here of others saying they made their scrapers out of this or that... Is there a minimum thickness? I would think that something too thin wouldn't hold an edge for very long. Cheers!
Depends on the hardness, I would say 0.3mm or so, many people have used old Japanese saws to make scrapers and my thinnest are about that. They take a fine edge and are for detailed work, I prefer thin over thick scrapers greatly
+Crimson Custom Guitars Thank you, I just happen to work beside a place where they throw stuff like that away all the time, sheet metal ductwork, and they get rid of a lot, sometimes stainless steel. Thank you and I love the sharpening videos.
What's the Batman mask-thing on the wall in the middle?
Are you supposed to bend the scraper like then ??
How many times should you develop the burr. I saw you rubbed the burnisher 5 times then you where a for away. I do not have a burnisher. What can I use instead? A drill bit? Where I live it's hard enough just to find a scraper let alone a burnisher which I have never seen so getting such specialist tools is either too expensive to import or just not possible.
I'm in the same pickle, but I think I might try using the bottom of a chisel to burnish.
would a normal throw away saw blade, be too hard to make a scraper
Looks like you used those scrapers on your head
interesting beard! I can't wait to trim mine tomorrow morning.... ;--)>
My wife is real good at work hardening my tool.....she uses the hand method as well.
I can't throw away my old sandpaper. I need help.
This is why I love yoututbe. I didnt even know this existed. Is this only for wood?
I want to scrape the head
Dear Sir,
Thank you for the sharpening series. It really answered a lot of questions i had when choosing proper one for my self.
Regarding scraper sharpening take a look at The Guild of NH Woodworkers at vimeo:
vimeo.com/83307823
Terry Moore has a method that is brilliantly fast and simple.
His part of presentation starts at about 1:13:00 although whole presentation is excellent .
Actually all videos from The Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers are great.
Again thank you.
looking sharp! I mean good...stupid puns.
im trying to watch the video.... all i keep saying in my head is "GAH! Ugly head tat!"
Why dont you get to the point??
Don't like the tats on the head
Thank you for letting us know