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I have always had a tough time putting a nice hook on a scraper. ...maybe it's because I tried to use the edge of a screwdriver instead of a real burnisher. So, I had a $10 off a $25 or more purchase coupon from Woodcraft and decided to pick up a Veritas Variable Burnisher. It works good! Finally, a nice hook on my scrapers. ...what a difference...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I like it too, though I still don't think I'm getting them as sharp as they could be...

never used one, but it sure looks nice!

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

Yo, Steve

Ya, Lenard and him son sure do make nice toys eh....

But if that thing ever falls of the truck ...don't buy another one,
just use the neck of a chisel instead of a screwdriver. Chisels are usually around R60
where screweee drivers are only hardend on the tip. Makes a big difference.

In fact alls me use now days is a 2 inch piece of 3/16 O1 shoved into a handle.

but ya know me woodn't mind having that fancy shmancy Burnisher you don did get yerself.


blessings

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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I use a screw Driver too. I think it pays to find a good quality hard one out of your pile of screw drivers. I think te part up where it goes into the handle is pretty hard. I'll try an old chisel next!

I do think that a good burnisher might work better, but I can put a pretty good hook on a scraper.
I think the most important part is squaring the edge up first, then drawing it out, before rolling it over.

I bought one of those, then gave it away. Didn't work at all for me. I was doing better free hand.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I have one but I find that I use when I/m doin a batch of scrapers it/s Ok . I also have a carbide Burnisher from LV abt 27 yrs old that works vy well

My best burnisher is an old worn out knife steel with all the grooves gone.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I like a round burnisher like the Hock. Hardened O1, polished smooth. The reason I like a round is you get more pressure at the point of attack. I also like doing it by hand because I need to be able to vary my angle depending on scraper thickness, hardness, and if I am reforming a edge vs. turning a fresh one.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I use a chrome plated screwdriver shank, the chrome plating is much harder and will form a good hook and not all get marked up.

Try it you'll like it!

Mikey

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Glad to see I'm not the only one who uses a screwdriver for this

i also like the Hock burnisher.

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

+1

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Lee Valley carbide burnisher for me. Super hard and doesn't rust. The one in the original post looks like it would be hard to hold onto the scraper while using it, and having to clamp in a vise every time would be annoying.

Truck exhaust valve. Works a lot better than the two Cherries burnisher that I bought, which tends to mark very easily.

I realize it is adjustable but not like your hands. Doing it by hand you can instantly increase or decrease your angle.
I like to start things square and then lay the angle over.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I use a knife-sharpening steel I bought at a thrift store for less than a dollar. Works fine for me.

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John Cavanaugh
Saint Paul, MN
"What could possibly go wrong?"

I never had good results using a screw driver... I could have bought a burnisher but I thought I'd try this thing. It seemed to work well when I tried it out. It allows you to dial in the angle. Anyway - at this point, I'm not disappointed... I sure use a scraper often...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I've been thinking of making a handle and using the shank of a carbide end mill. Next time I have a good long end mill break I'm gonna give it a try. It's hard, won't rust, already ground smooth and square, plus it won't cost anything.

I never got on with mine, had it for years, sits unused
I've had better luck first with a screwdriver, now a hock burnisher

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.