Trying to learn about rasps
#11
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?
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#12
Let’s see what your rasps that you own and be ready to send them to Boggs.

Slav
"More the Knowledge Lesser the Ego, Lesser the Knowledge More the Ego..."   -Albert Einstein.
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#13
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.
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#14
(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.
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#15
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
"More the Knowledge Lesser the Ego, Lesser the Knowledge More the Ego..."   -Albert Einstein.
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#16
(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.
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#17
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
"More the Knowledge Lesser the Ego, Lesser the Knowledge More the Ego..."   -Albert Einstein.
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#18
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.
Still Learning,

Allan Hill
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#19
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/...ckenbushww

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTgUvXHlm0C/...ckenbushww

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUwjF5Fdef/...ckenbushww

USA
www.corradishop.com
www.ebay.com/usr/corradishop

Europe
http://www.rma-tools.com/
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#20
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.
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