Scraper edges are strips of metal that are usually made of three different metals – stainless steel, copper, or brass – and they are sold in pairs (two and a half inches apart). The stainless steel scraper is the most commonly configured in the field, and it has an outer edge that consists of a sharp, squared-off edge surrounded by a band of copper. The outer edge can be made of one of several metals and is also available in various colors.
The other two types of metal configurations that are frequently configured in a scrapper are copper and brass. The most common way to make use of these pieces of metal is in the context of the bucket scoop, where they intend to join the outer edge of the machine’s blade with the bucket itself.
This method of configuring the edges on the scrapper consists of cutting strips of either metal or plastic to the appropriate length and then twisting these pieces of metal around one another to form the attachment. The copper strips are typically black, but in some instances, green, red, or even yellow strips of metal are used to create a similar configuration.
The first step in determining which edge type to use for your particular project is to consider how frequently you’ll be using the scraper edges. If you’re using it once in a while for a quick repair, you probably won’t be worried about spending a lot of money on the type that offers the best stability. However, if you’re building a turner for any significant amount of time, you should seriously consider paying for one of the higher-end steel scrapers.
Steel scrapers are designed to last a long time, and the larger the turner, the more you’ll need to replace the knife-edge after burnishing. For the most part, you can judge the durability of steel scraper edges by looking at how many times they can be used without dulling. Dulled knives are much less effective than sharp ones, so you will want to purchase a high-quality product, so you get the maximum use out of your burnishing tool sets.
How to find the right scraper edges?
For any woodturner, the task of deciding on new scraper edges every so often can be a bit daunting. Whether you’re building a new turner or repairing an old one, you need to know which kind of edge to use on which face of the turner, and how much you should pay for each type.
The first thing you should look for in a Scraper is its physical design. It means that one should get a real close look at it and see if you can visualize any protruding hardware, wires, studs, and bolts which may prove useful to you should you ever need to cut up the screen and repair it; all this without the naked eye being able to detect. The second thing related to finding the best Scraper edges is related to user-friendliness. The advent of new technology has resulted in some Scrapers being so small they can fit inside the smallest of pocketbooks.
You should also consider the amount of money you’re willing to spend on the toolset. Most steel scrapers are available in sets of three, with the third set consisting of only the blade itself and the honing block. This set-up is usually enough for beginners to start with. If you have the money, however, you may want to buy separate blade and Honing Blocks separately, as they are essential for consistent and even burnishing.