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+-- Thread: Trying to learn about rasps (/showthread.php?tid=7337387)
Trying to learn about rasps - JSpill - 02-14-2018
I own a couple of rasps that I occasionally use on projects. The several I have were picked up at flea markets and I have no idea of their quality. I'd like to get some decent quality rasps but don't know where to start. When I started with planes I got a Stanley #4 and a block plane. After learning how to use these planes it became easy to select planes I wanted to add to my tool kit. If I were to purchase say two new rasps what should I consider? From your experience can you recommend a decent quality rasp a beginner should consider?
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - Slav Jelesijevich - 02-14-2018
Let’s see what your rasps that you own and be ready to send them to Boggs.
Slav
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - JSpill - 02-14-2018
I sent several rasps to Boggs Tools a few years ago. They were all sharpened but several were marked with a red mark indicating that they had reached the end of their usefulness. That is why I want to obtain a new rasp or two that is ready to use.
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - Strokes77 - 02-14-2018
(02-14-2018, 08:33 PM)JSpill Wrote: I sent several rasps to Boggs Tools a few years ago. They were all sharpened but several were marked with a red mark indicating that they had reached the end of their usefulness. That is why I want to obtain a new rasp or two that is ready to use.
Can't go wrong with Auriou Rasps... I love mine.
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - Slav Jelesijevich - 02-14-2018
Still need to see what you have to give you my take. Are you going to do small stuff like handles or big curves in a Maloof rocker?
Slav
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - JSpill - 02-14-2018
(02-14-2018, 09:08 PM)Slav Jelesijevich Wrote: Still need to see what you have to give you my take. Are you going to do small stuff like handles or big curves in a Maloof rocker?
Slav
Mostly small stuff like tool handles. Also clock moldings. Not long items like chair legs. I'd love to make a Maloof rocker but it's beyond my skill set.
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - Slav Jelesijevich - 02-15-2018
You can do a Maloof style rocker no problem, just having the right tools. What is your budget? If your doing small stuff spread you money and get a variety of rasps and Files. They made rasps from 6” to 16”, even the Files from Boggs that are rejected will still cut. Familarize yourself with the Lee valley has a good selection of smaller stuff. What your saying stay with 6”-8”-10” rasps. LV has 6” in Cabinet and half rounds. All comes down to the cash, I can keep going.
Slav
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - AHill - 02-15-2018
In order of quality (and just about by price as well). There are other rasps out there, but here's my take on the more popular ones. I have all of them except Dragon in my shop.
Auriou - The gold standard for rasps. Hand stitched in France. Sharpest and best rasps out there. You won't get a smoother finish with any other rasp.
Liogier - Also made in France. Some former employees of Auriou work for Liogier. If Aurious are a "10", Liogier is "9.5".
Gramercy - Stainless steel, make in Pakistan. Decent rasps. Mostly for finer work. Their saw maker's rasp is essential is you make saw handles. I rate them about 7.5.
Dragon Rasps - I have not used them, but they get very good reviews. Maybe your best bang for the buck, if price is a consideration.
US Made Nicholson - The current ones aren't worth buying. US-made (see Slav) are very good value for the money. Machine made, but sharp. I would rate them 7.0.
Iwasaki - Not a rasp, per se, but a mill toothed file. Made in Japan. Very, very sharp. A bit grabby for small work. Great for things like plane making. I would also rate them a 7.0, but only because they really aren't rasps. For what they do (e.g. using them for a plane float), I'd rate them a 9.0.
For what you want to do, Grain 10 (medium-fine) to Grain 14 (fine) is recommended. "Grain" is how Auriou and Liogier classify their rasps. For fine work, buy an 6-8" rasp. Stay away from the really large ones. They won't work well for smaller things. You want a smaller rasp because it'll be able to get into smaller radii.
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - JQuacker - 02-15-2018
I'm gonna put my love of Corradi out there. They are CNC stitched with a pattern that doesn't leave lines. So this gives them the consistency of a machine stitch, but the quality of cut & lack of distinct lines from a set pattern. The pics below were all worked with Corradi rasps + minimal card scraper, that's it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWnfAnGlZIn/?taken-by=quackenbushww
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTgUvXHlm0C/?taken-by=quackenbushww
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUwjF5Fdef/?taken-by=quackenbushww
USA
www.corradishop.com
www.ebay.com/usr/corradishop
Europe
http://www.rma-tools.com/
RE: Trying to learn about rasps - JSpill - 02-15-2018
Guys, thank you so much for the info. Now I know what I should most likely get for the kind of work I do. Lee Valley and Tools for Working Wood are favorite stores of mine. Since I live close to Lee Valley I think I will go there first. Also, I think Boggs Tools sells new and reconditioned rasps. Perhaps a phone call to them is in order.