How to use concave and convex cabinet scrapers?

28th February 2020

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	How to use concave and convex cabinet scrapers


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			Step 1 – Clamp workpiece Secure your workpiece in a vice or clamp, or against a workbench stop, ensuring that whole of the face or edge to be scraped is above the securing parts, giving free access to the workpiece surface.

			Step 2 – Choose correct blade width As the concave and convex scrapers have blades of different widths, you will need to check what size blade to use.

			Engraved or printed next to each blade is its size, telling you the width of the blade. To check which width blade you need, gently place the different blades over the surface area of the wood you are going to be scraping to see which fits best.

			If you can’t find a blade which fits perfectly then use a blade which is slightly smaller (smaller radius) when scraping hollowed or coved surfaces. When scraping externally rounded surfaces using a concave scraper, you will probably need to use a blade that is slightly larger.

			Step 3 – Hold and place scraper Hold the scraper with one or two hands, depending on how comfortable it feels. For extra control, use two hands with your thumbs located at the centre of the scraper. There is no need to bend the scraper as it already has curved cutting edges.

			Step 4 – Scrape workpiece Push the scraper away from you so it runs along the length of the surface.

			Another way of scraping your workpiece is to start with the scraper at the far end of the wood and move it towards you. Whether you are pushing or pulling the scraper the grain needs to be sloping upwards and away from the scraper. If the grain is facing downwards towards the scraper the cutting edge will dig in too far, causing tear-out.

			Step 5 – Finish scraping Scrape the surface repeatedly until the surface of the wood is smooth. Run your fingers along the surface to see if it is even and smooth.