All my metal files, wood rasps, needle files are all old and worn out. I do take care of them but I've had some of them +15 years or so.
I'm going to dump a gob of money to renew my stock.
What do you folks use? Any special tools you have designed or use for specific tasks?

Thanks

one vote for Microplane rasps.

Regarding your files and rasps, if you haven't already done so, you can refurbish them. Putting them in solution of citric acid and water for a while will do it. I've heard brass also works. But the citric acid will put an edge on them again and you can do this a few times to extend their usefulness.

Not sure how much you want to spend but Grobet make some excellent files.
Particularly files for the professional jeweler.

one vote for Microplane rasps.
I might order some of these.http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=105026

Not sure how much you want to spend but Grobet make some excellent files.
Particularly files for the professional jeweler.
Can't find any pricing. Nice stuff and they have a dealer close to me.:)

Good quality chinese hand forged rasps are exellent!

one vote for Microplane rasps.

i recently bought my first microplane. holy crap, these things are awesome.

so i guess thats a +1 for microplanes. :)

one vote for Microplane rasps.

make that 2. I use my half round and flat microplanes to shape necks and contour bodies. I would NOT work without them.

Yep Microplane rasps rule, and if you ever need to do some delicate cheese shredding they work great for that too. LOL
Just joking, I have another one for cheese. :)
Dirk

how well do they hold their sharpness, and how often do you replace you 'blades'? Do yu see a significant difference in sharpness loss when using different woods?

all the best,

R

I'm on my 3rd bass with the one I got and it's still like new, and it has worked Zebra, Maple, Wenge and Purpleheart, well Mahogony too but that hardly counts as any workout.
For the price when mine gets dull I just go get a new one.
Dirk

Are you guys referring to these

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=2009

or these:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5166

I use both actually. I use the halfround and flat of the type that has the handle on both sides and a full round of the type that has the handle on the end. They're cheap enough to get all 3.

I use both actually. I use the halfround and flat of the type that has the handle on both sides and a full round of the type that has the handle on the end. They're cheap enough to get all 3.


I keep passing them up whenever I go to my Woodcraft store...no particular reason fo doing so, just a bad habit I guess. I'll have to pick some up next time.

on the DIY channel there is a show called "Handmade Music" or something like that. i watched a guy wail on a piece of wood with one of the larger micro-planes. he was shaping a banjo neck like it was nothing. so i had to pick one up.

I love my yellow handled surform I got at Sears! And the cabinet scrapers as well.

I'd like to try out the IBEX finger planes too, for shaping tops and whatever else. ANyone have experience with these at all? Is Ibex a good quality ? Recommend a good size to start with? I'd like to try making my own from wood too, at some point.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5808

i bought one of the yellow Surforms too. that thing is fun and easy.

has anyone tried the MicroPlane rotary shaper with follower? i am wondering how fine of a finish it leaves compared to the Robosander. if they are long enough to edge a guitar body then i would definitely try one for the price.

i just got my hands on a scraper and learned how to put the burr on it.
i didnt know what i was missing! :D

i think i am getting addicted to planes, chisels, and sharp objects in general.

These are very cool too.......t

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Dragon_Hand-cut_Rasps.html

just my view on rasps:

they used to scare me like none other cuz they're so friggin pointy, but then i tried to sand down the curves on my bass with a file, and it wasn't really working so i took a rasp to it. i did 100 minutes of file work in 3 minutes with a rasp. aka they're pretty sweet.

You can make a poor-man's rasp out of a used bandsaw blade. Cut it into 12" -18" lengths, line them up side-by-side so the teeth line up in rows, then duct-tape the ends.

Hi Erik, i recognise your name from project guitar. i have been lurking over there for the past week or so reading all the back threads.