SCRAPERS was'Sanding Bridges'

[Guy, Karen, and Tor Nichols]

At 11:32 AM 4/7/97 -0400, you wrote:
>
>Using a cabinet scraper is difficult.
>
>Cabinet scrapers are rectangular thin pieces of metal.  They are very tricky
>to sharpen but if you do it right it surpasses sandpaper in smoothness.  In
>fact, I have heard it said that sandpaper is relatively new and that cabinet
>scrapers were the grunt tool for finishers.
>****************************************************************************
>
>Michael J. Wathen			Phone:	513-556-9565
>Piano Technician			Fax:	513-556-3399
>College-Consevatory of Music		Email:  Michael.Wathen@UC.Edu
>University of Cincinnati
>Cincinnati, OH 45221-0096
>
>http://www.uc.edu/~wathenmj
>
Michael et al,

	For many years when we were pumping out tons of refinishing projects, the
biggest problem we found with scrapers were with operators that "missed the
boat" around how to make them(scrapers) work. A few crucial points:
	1. Expectations... a sharpened scraper has 8 cutting edges. Each edge is
worth about 4 good passes on dense hardwood. More on finish or soft stuff.
With that in mind, and a systematic approach, frustration is reduced and
productivity/results improve.
	2. Sharpening.... don't. It's a concept thing: the part that cuts is the
'burr' hanging off the edge. Produced by first filing the edge, and then
burnishing the edge with a hard steel. With a vice, good file, and
burnisher, the scraper can be "sharpened" in about 30 seconds. Be sure to
hold the file very perpendicular to the scraper in the vise. Make one or
two passes in each direction, and ONE pass each way with the burnisher. (I
like round ones).
	_____________________)
	                    -edge with burrs from graphic dept.

	_____________________
                            )
	3. Hold the scraper at almost a right angle to the work, and let the bow
caused by pressure determine the actual angle at the point of contact. Pull
or push, but keep track of your passes per edge to same time and frustration.

	4.The main operator problem we had was basically laziness... they weren't
willing to 'use it 3 minutes, work it 30 seconds', when they could use up
abbrasive paper in a jitterbug for hours. Our best guys used scrapers
instead of paper, and ALWAYS out-performed the others on Rosewood, Walnut,
or Mahogony. NO sawdust, very quiet, NO polishing required when done.

	Historical note; before steel scrapers became popular, the 'old hats'
would just break off squares of glass and use gloves. Not for me...

	As with any technique, there's lots of ways to get the job done, but
having shared the above with many workers over the years, I thought it
might be the best way to blow off today's lunch break.

	Sorry for the long post, hope it helps.
Guy Nichols, RPT
nicho@lascruces.com
	'Never burn you bridges, BURN YOUR BOATS!'