Yes - Another Card Scraper Video

Haven't Card Scrapers Been Covered Enough Already?

The simple answer is NO.

The following video by fellow woodworker Brian Havens has to be the best I have seen on card scrapers. Why? Because Brian has made the first video I have seen that acknowledges there are several ways to sharpen a card scraper and that they all are legitimate.

This is not a detailed dissertation on any one method of sharpening, but it covers a variety of methods in their basic principles. To be honest, Brian gives more than enough information to get a person going on card scrapers. Even with an hour long detailed video, people still have to get hands on with the scraper and figure it out for themselves. A longer video does not necessarily mean you will figure it out faster. 

Brian not only shares the principles and techniques of sharpening, he talks about the value of each sharpening method and points out that they all have a place.

To decide which method to use, he considers the return on investment. If a person wants to scrape finish off a board, only a rough burr is required. If a person wants to eliminate sanding altogether, then a fine burr will need to be turned to produce the finest surface.

Brian Havens has also produced other fine videos for woodworkers and has a great portfolio. Be sure to check out his site at Brian Havens, Woodworker. 

Thanks for another great video production Brian!

Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show...

In the following video you can see how I sharpen my card scrapers. This is the method that I figured out and still use today in my shop.

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Spring Is Here!

Backyard winterI am so thankful for the longer days and warmer temps. The snow is gone, the grass is getting green and I have been continually working with the shop doors open. 

Billings is kind of in a unique position with the weather patterns. Most of the moisture gets dumped in the mountains just west of us and most of the cold weather coming down from Canada hits just east of us. We continually catch an upswelling of warm air from the southwest that peaks right in our area. We live in this bubble of warm air. I guess that makes us the Billings Bubble People.

Backyard SpringI have this incredible view out my backyard of the sandstone cliffs that rise from the banks of the Yellowstone River. These are referred to as the "rims" which is short for rimrock. There is a nature preserve on top of the rims that allows a person to hike all around with the most amazing views.

I have been in Billings since '91 and it is a major change from where I grew up in Ohio.

Spring is here and the doors are open.

The scenery in my backyard and the area around town is often inspirational enough to spark ideas. I find that many of my random thoughts and solutions come together when Rita and I walk the dogs or go hiking on the rims.

The last few days of working in the shop with the doors open has been the epitome of a woodworker's dream. The weather is gorgeous and I am working with the doors and windows open. As I am milling material and making cuts, I get an occasional visit from our two dogs Cookie and Bella. I am living the dream and it is just that good.

CookieWell, time to head back out to the shop. Remember you can't live dream if you don't spend time in the shop.

Your friend in the shop, Todd A. Clippinger.

Peace, Love, & Woodworking

It's The Little Things...

 Let The Sun Shine In

Backyard March 2010I am so grateful spring is arriving. I am ready for the long hours of sunshine and warmer temps. Here in Billings, MT I have been able to work with the doors open on the sunny side of the shop several days over the last 2 weeks.

I am fortunate that the double doors facing the driveway also happen to face south and I can open them wide to let the sun in. On a sunny day at 50° with little wind, the furnace will never kick on if I open the doors and allow the solar gain to heat the shop. 

The increased daylight and temperatures are leaving only remnants of snow hanging out in the shade. The yards are showing some green and there was a noticeable increase in the robin population the last few days. 

It is a good thing that the days are getting warmer, we won't have the need to burn wood. Last night we had a chimney fire at it gave us a good scare. We clean the chimney every year and avoid burning pine, but as we discovered last night, that makes no guarantees. The fire stayed contained in the chimney pipe so there was no damage except to our nerves.

On To The Shop

ML Campbell handy pour spout

I was picking up some ML Campbell Microton dye this morning and was given a couple of handy little pour spouts along with my purchase. ML Campbell started providing little pour spouts that screw onto the 1 gallon cans. 

I used it as soon as I got back to the shop and I love these things! Products like this make me wonder how we could put a man on the moon in 1969 but we couldn't come up with this sooner? I am sure that they have been out there for a while, but where have they been hiding them? 

Using Pour Spout

Well it is true, it's the little things that make a big difference. This spout makes pouring from a standard 1 gallon can a dream. I am sure that you are familiar with the difficulty in pouring from them and the amount of product lost every time you try to pour. This little spout puts an end to that.

The spout also has been sized for good control of the volume that you are dispensing. This is not a gas can pouring fuel into a mower. This is mixing dyes and pouring solvents in a controlled manner. It's perfect.

That's all for now, time to head back to the shop.

Your friend in the shop, Todd A. Clippinger

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