Comments on: 3 Rasps Give You Superpowers

By: ocd

ocd — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:32:51 +0000

I have used really cheap rasps (Harbor Freight) and Auriou. Obviously, the Auriou was spectacular in comparison. When using the #14 tangentially going with and parallel to the grain, the surface was as good as 220 sandpaper. Only when using this grain orientation, though. They should be sprayed with Camelia oil every now and then to prevent rust, and may be “chalked” before using so the teeth will clean easier. You can’t use a regular “file card”, a special stiff brush is available from Auriou.

They are wonderful for shaping wood. Auriou has some very small ones that are great for carvings.

I would only use where a significant amount of stock is to be removed because to get the scratches out (which, even with Auriou used correctly will still be present) you have to use progressively smaller teeth, which takes more wood off.

By: dreamcatcher

dreamcatcher — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:05:44 +0000

I like the statement “rasps give you superpowers” and wonder what your interpretation of your own statement is? I read it as meaning the use of a rasp allows one to quite easily and without much skill perform woodworking task that look like it was made by an old master. In my experience, rasping seems like magic as the tool removes as much or little wood as I want it to with little effort and makes the shape I need it to without much skill. I don’t need to really care for a rasp or sharpen it and it’s about the least dangerous tool in the shop.

So, yes a rasp is like a superpower – or maybe like magic

By: ocd

ocd — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:42:56 +0000

I have not tried many of the other rasps, but Auriou are great. Even so, there are a few tricks to keep them from clogging and lasting a long time. I can still get individual scratches as I go across the wood unless I use them correctly.
When going down the tangential surface, paralled with the grain, of the wood with a #14, the finish is as good as 220 or higher sandpaper.

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:28:09 +0000

Nope. Never used them. I think Bob Lang has.

By: geppetto425

geppetto425 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:12:05 +0000

What about the Iwaski Carving Files? The teeth are milled and then chemically etched to super sharp. And priced between 17.99 and 37.99. Any experience with these files??? Thanks. And you are awesome by the way, I’ve been a subscriber for some time now.