How to Use a Pull Scraper

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A pull scraper, often called a wood scraper or cabinet scraper, can be used to smooth wood without having to sand it. You can use a pull scraper to remove paint and old finishes. If you've never used a pull scraper, you'll be using it like a professional with the following steps. Read on to learn more.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1

Prepare the pull scraper. Generally the edges of a pull scraper are left rough from the manufacturing. You need to use a metal file to smooth the edges prior to using it for the first time. Hold the metal file at a 90 degree angle to the pull scraper and run it along the edge of the pull scraper.

Step2

Smooth the edges. Depending on how fine you need to smooth an object, you may need to smooth the edges of the pull scraper more after you have filed them. Use the edge of a sharpening stone along the edge of the pull scraper and smooth out the edges until you've achieved the desired results.

Step3

Create a burr a hook that shaves the wood by dragging a burnisher along the edge. This may take a few times of trial and error to get right, but once you've got the hang of it you'll be able to do it quickly.

Step4

Bend the pull scraper. A slight bend in the middle of the pull scraper helps you achieve a smoother surface. Some tools are designed to create this flex naturally. If you're using a pull scraper by hand, you can bend it slightly in the middle by applying pressure to the middle as you pull on the edges.

Step5

Work with the grain, just like when you sand a piece of wood. This prevents the pull scraper from catching the wood and gouging it.

Step6

Keep your pull scraper in prime condition. You need to maintain the sharp edge of the pull scraper in order to achieve the best results. When you notice that you're getting dust instead of shavings, it's time to repeat Step 2.