Sanding vs scraping

[jgrobler]

Hi all,
I'd appreciate some comments of the virtues of scraping vs. sanding. What are the benefits? Do you sand the wood, then scrape after each layer of finish? Do you use different scrapers, akin to going to finer grit sandpaper after each application? Does it save time, or just dust? When can you not scrape?

Thank you.

Johan

[Wood_workur]

Scraping is best for removing dried glue (sanding might cause heat, which would soften the glue, and work it in even further), but sanding for a fnish and sanding between coats would work.

Scrapiung is hard to learn, I heard (havn't tried)

[gerti]

The handled scrapers are typically used for paint removal or as mentioned for glue removal.

Card scrapers are a different story. If you master them, scraping can replace a lot of sanding (and no dust!). But even with little knowledge you will find that a scraper beats sanding when it comes to remove old (or unsatisfying) finishes or burn marks from the BT.

I find the trickiest part is getting the right burr onto a scraper card. Scraper cards are relatively cheap, and a file and an HSS screwdriver or so for burnishing can be found in most shops. I'd say you should at least try them, I use a scraper at some point or other in most projects.

[Ken Massingale]

Scraping doesn't replace sanding, but as gerti said it replaces a lot of sanding and leaves a nicer finish. There is a small learning curve to get the burr right, but the results are worth the effort. Removing glue can be done with a card scraper, I do it regularly, but is for me a secondary use. I primarily scrape jointed table tops or other items that have jointed boards but also to remove the 'rare' burn mark. ;-D
ken

[RodKirby]

I began (card) scraping after watching David marks - and it is as easy as he made it look - after a little trial and error.

I see it as a totally different process from sanding.

Card scraping allows you to be very precise about what is being scraped eg a glue line, a obstinate sticker, a slight overlap on a joint etc. And when you finish scraping, then you can sand around the surrounding area.

Well worth learning to do.

[kwgeorge]

I just posted my thoughts on this and what I do in tool talk, not be redundant but here is the link since this is on topic.

http://www.theturnersshop.com/woodwo.../card/cs1.html

Ken

[drumpriest]

I also use my scraper in just about every project. If you hone your scraper to a very fine stone when creating your burr, you can get a pretty fine finish from a card scraper, leaving very little sanding to be done afterwards. Getting a proper burr is indeed the big issue with a scraper, but once you do, it's a fantastic tool.

[jgrobler]

Thanks for all your comments. Ken, I really like your tutorial. It should give me enough to start practising on. What I'm deducting from these however, is that you do not scrape between finishing coats, correct?

Does it work better on fine grain woods like Birch, Cherry, or equally well for the likes of Oak and Ash?

[drumpriest]

Scraping is not done between finish coats. You sand there, lightly, to create a mechanical tooth for the next coat. 0000 steel wool is also used depending upon the type of finish. Don't use the steel wool with polyacrylic, as it's water based.

I typically use 320 grit for the first couple of coats, and then 400 for a couple, 600, then finally 0000 steel wool. Creates a nice smooth surface without going through the bother of a full rub out.

Scrapers work great on Oak and Ask, as well as cherry, maple, birch, walnut, curly maple. I've get to find a wood that really doesn't scrape well with a finely tuned scraper.

[gmack5]

Excellent Write up!

I just posted my thoughts on this and what I do in tool talk, not be redundant but here is the link since this is on topic.
http://www.theturnersshop.com/woodwo.../card/cs1.html
Ken

Ken, I read your Article and found it very informative. The pictures added greatly to the quality of the piece.

As I said, excellent Write up (Bookmarked) that I'll be refering to when I get my set of Scrapers.