Scrapers

The Romans, if not the Greeks, had a word for it. They used a radula, or scraper, something like our modern shave hook to scrape paint or tar. The cabinet scraper did not appear until the seventeenth century, with the development of thin steel plate for hand saws and the increasing use of hardwoods for furniture making early in the following century.

They are first mentioned in New England cabinetmakers' inventories from about 1720. The earliest known illustration, however, occurs in Rouho''s Joinery, and shows a steel plate 2-1/2 to 3in. wide set in a wooden handle.

The Bailey catalog of 1888 has a "Veneer Scraper" with a blade held in a small metal plaoe stock with cross handles, the angle of the iron being adjustable Improved models were introduced, but many cabinetmakers preferred the simpler, more flexible oblong steel plate.. Hook scrapers appeared about 1930.

Cutting edge showing raised burr.

Cabinet Scraper

SIZE: 3 x 4-1/2 x 7/32in.

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To finish wooden surfaces

The cabinet scraper is simply a recangulasr piece of steel with two cutting edges, for working flat areas. Curved scrapers are used for shaped work.

A properly sharpened scraper produces minute shavings and consequntly leaves a clearer finish than sand paper which tends to clog the grain with dust. Hardwoods benefit particularly well from this finish. Scrapers are wary useful for removing paches of "wild" grain without disturbing the surrounding grain.

Curved scraper
Shaped scrapers for curved work have an all around cutting edge.

Sharpening a scraper

A cabinet scraper cuts with a burr raised on the cutting edge. Once it starts to produce dust instead of shavings it needs to be made square by draw filing, and sharpened.

To produce a burr place the scraper flat on a bench and "draw" the burr with a round piece of steel, such as the back of a gouge. Hold the scraper against the bench with the fingers and stroke the cutting edge firmly towards you, keeping the gouge flat on the scraper. This will raise a burr perpendicular to the edge of the scraper which must then be turned over to form a sharp cutting edge.

Up end the scraper on the bench and holding the gouge at a slight angle to the cutting edge, make firm vertical strokes to turn over the burr at the correct angle. If it is turned over too much, the tool will not cut well.

A shaped scraper is sharpened in the same way, but a little more practice is required to keep an even pressure on the cutting edge as you work with the back of the gouge.

Using the scraper

The amount of pressure applied by the thumbs will produce a varying curve in the cutting edge to localize the cut. Work away from you, holding the tool at a slight angle to the work. Experiment to find the most efficient angle. If a scraper is used too much in one spot, a hollow will be produced, which will show up when the surface is polished. Avoid this by working across a wider area diagonally in two directions and finishing in line with the grain.

Holding the scraper

Hold the scraper in two hands with both thumbs: pressed firmly into the back face close to the bottom edge.

Hook Scraper

OTHER NAME: Skarsten scraper

SIZE: length: 4-3/4 to 15in.; Blade width:1-1/2 to 2-1/2in.

MATERIAL: Blade: Steel; Handle: hardwood, aluminium

ACCESSORIES: Shaped and serrated blades

USE: To smooth the surface of lumber or to remove paint

The hook scraper does the ame job as a cabinet scraper. As well as a standard straight blade, concave, convex, serrated and double ended blades are available. The serrated blade is specially made to break up a layer of old paint, which can then be removed with the standard blade.

Blades are replaced by sliding in a new one. which automatically eiects the worn blade. Double-sided blades are reversed by undoing a locking screw to remove a damp. Two kinds of handle are made, so that the tool can be used with one or two hands. For best results, work by tilting the tool toward you.

Longer handes provide extra leverage for heavy duty work such as scaping floors.

Shave Hook

SEZE: 6in.

MATERIAL: Blade: steel; Handle beech

USE: To remove old paint from mouldings

Shave hooks are made with a choice of three differently shaped blades; triangular, pear shaped and a combination blade. They are used to scrape softened paint from mouldings around windows and doors.

Stripping Knife

OTHER NAMES: Paint scraper. wallpaper scraper, chisel knife

SIZE: Blade width: 1 to 5in.

MATERIAL: Blade: steel; Handle: rosewood

USE: To remove old paint and wallpaper

Stripping knives remove softened paint or wallpaper which is unsuitable for repainting or covering. They are stronger versions of the filling knife, made in exactly the same way, The wider blades are used on wallpaper or large flat areas, of paint, and the narrow blades on window frames. The narrow ones double as putty knives.

Electric Paint Stripper

SIZE: Power: 600 to 700 watts

MATERIAL: Various

USE: To soften old paintwork for stripping

Electric paint strippers coniasn an clement which is heated and held a controlled distance from the painted surface to soften the paint. Various designs are available. They are used either in conjunction with a stripping knife or may have an integral scraper.

Using a paint stripper

The healing element softens the paint which u removed with a stripping knife.

Window Scraper

SIZE: 6in.

MATERIAL: Blade: stee; Holder: plastic, hardwood and metal

ACCESSORIES: Razor blade. trimming knife blade

USE: To scrape excess paint from window panes

Any razor blade or sharp trimming knife blade ears be used io remove dried paint frorn a window pane.. The advantage of a window scraper is the holder, which keeps the blade fixed safely at the correct angle.

Starting flush with the frame, scrape downward to remove dried paint.

Stripping old paint

Brand name chemical strippers are very effective against stubborn layers of old paint. Protect your eyes and skin, wear rubber gloves and spread newspapers on the floor.

Use an old paint brush to apply a liberal coat of stripper to the work and leave for the specified time until the paint softens.

Scrape off the paint with a shave hook or stripping knife . Apply more stripper if needed.

When all traces of paint have been removed, wash down the surface with paint thinner or cold water to neutralise the chemicals in the stripper.

Removing old wallpaper

Soak the old wallpaper with warm water or brand name stripping solution.

Leave lor a few minutes to allow it to penetrate. Then strip the paper with a wide headed stripping knife. Avoid digging the corners of the blade into the plaster. Re-soak any stubborn patches of paper before scraping again.

With textured, washable or painted wallpaper, first lightly scour the surface: with a wire brush. This helps the solution to soak in.

When the wallpaper has been stripped, wash the wall surface with clean hot water to remove any residue.

Blow Torch

OTHER NAMES: Blow lamp, propane lamp

SiZE: Fuel capacity: 1/2 to 2pts. kerosene. 5-1/2 to 9-1/2oz. gas

MATERIALS: Various

ACCESSORIES: Flame spreader

USE: To soften old paint for stripping, to braze and solder metal

 

Modern blow torches are fitted with canisters of liquefied gas which vaporizes at normal temperatures as pressure is released by operating the valve. The 'more old-fashioned blow torch uses kerosene (parrafin) as a fuel, which is vaporized as it is pumped through heated tubes to the jet where it is ignited.

Lighting the gas torch

The method of attaching the gas canister and operating the valve differs from model to model and the manufacturer's instructions should be care-fuliv followed. Usually, the canister is. screwed into its mounting which automatically punctures the top of the canister or opens a valve in the canister itself.

To ignite the flame, hold a lighted match at the nozzle and regulate the flow of gas by operating the control knob. The flame can be adjusted from a small "pencil point" to a full frame spread. A flame spreader can be fitted to the nozzle to fan out the flames for efficient paint stripping.

Lighting the kerosene blow torch

1. Fill tank three quarters full with kerosene using a funnel filter to exclude debris which might block the jet.

2. Turn 'he pressure release knob to open the air valve..

3. Carefully fill the flame bowl with methylated sptnt..

4. Guard the torch against drafts and ignite the spirit. This will preheat the tubes, to vaporize the kerosene,

5. When the flame dies down close the air valve.

6. Pump the plunger a few times. The torch should ignite automatically

7. If the flame does not ignite apply a lighted match to jet.

8. Increase The flame by pumping the plunger. Reduce it by opening air valve momentarily. Extinguish it by opening air valve completely.

9, If the flame splutters or becomes smoky, clean out the jet with the "pricker" provided, Relight immediately.

Removing old paint with a blow torch

Badly damaged paint will have to be completely stripped back to the wood. Radical stripping may also be necessary where successive coals of paint have obscured fine moulding.

Remove any inflammable materials from the vicinity. Make sure any burning paint failing to the ground is extinguished immediately. Work from the bottom upward to avoid scorching the stripped wood. Never hold the flame in one place for too long or the wood may char. Slight scorching can be rubbed down before repainting. When the stripping is complete rub down with sandpaper.

Mouldings

Apply heat by moving the flame across fire paintwork until it softens and blisters.

Remove the flame and scrape away the softened paint with a shave hook.

Flat paintwork
Treat in the same way, scraping off the softened paintwork with the help of a stripping knife.