Make a Scraper Handle
I’ve had several people ask me about the scraper handle that was shown in my post on working thin stock. This is a tool I made several years ago and it’s starting to show its age. I can’t really do a true how-to on making one as I only need one and it’s already built (grin). But it’s a tool that, like much of much of my work, was done using the TLAR approach. If you’re unfamiliar with this acronym it stands for That Looks About Right and it sure beats taking the time to draw SketchUp models and do a lot of measuring, at least when you can get away with it.
In the case of the scraper handle there is a single dimension that is important. You have to set the distance between the outer bolts larger than the length of your scraper. Otherwise, dimensions should suit your hand and what wood you have on hand.
For what it’s worth, the basic dimensions of my finished handle are 2″ x 9″ and it looks like I took a hunk of 4/4 stock (a bit thicker than 1″ around here) and split it in half as each side is just shy of 1/2″. The handle is hard maple and the knobs (1 1/8″) are padauk. You need some T-nuts and a couple bolts. I used brass bolts, countersunk into one side of the handle and a brass washer between the knobs and the handle.
The knob in the middle does result in the scraper being just slightly curved. This is a handle for a thick scraper and the slight curve works out fine. I suspect, however, that the tool would work as well without the center plunger.
As with most of my tool projects, the finish is a few thin coats of shellac. One of the advantages of this is evident with this tool. After a couple years of use the finish has become worn. Because additional coats of shellac melt into previous coats, I’ll just wipe the tool clean with some alcohol on a rag and then apply a new coat of finish. It’ll look like new.
I hope this answers the questions you guys have about this tool. I use it a lot for “rough” scraping, generally when I’m trying to remove tearout where I have to remove quite a bit of wood. I’ll follow up with a thin scraper which I use without a handle as I like to be able to vary the curvature of the blade as I work.
Cheers — Larry
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I had wondered about that tool, too, in your previous post. It’s a handsome design. And much better to wrap your hands around a nice piece of maple, rather than plastic or metal.
It does have a pleasant feel to it and you don’t burn your fingers when the blade heats up
Cheers — Larry