I've got a rasp. But it's ONE rasp. And it's pretty old and dull. So before I just jaunt off towards Home Depot, what kind of rasps do y'all use, what shapes and sizes, and where did you find em?

I stopped using my relatively expensive nicholson #49 pattern maker's rasp in favor of a set of 4 microplane rasps. I use flat and half round in fine and coarse shapes. All 4 microplanes are cheaper than the 1 nicholson, will probably not last as long, but work a lot faster and have better action. I don't like anything home depot has in regards to shaping wood by hand.

I get them at woodcraft.

Garage sales! As for new fine ones I have one of these and love it.

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

I stopped using my relatively expensive nicholson #49 pattern maker's rasp in favor of a set of 4 microplane rasps. I use flat and half round in fine and coarse shapes. All 4 microplanes are cheaper than the 1 nicholson, will probably not last as long, but work a lot faster and have better action. I don't like anything home depot has in regards to shaping wood by hand.

I get them at woodcraft.


+1

Microplane. I get them from woodcraft as well.

check out the dragon rasps from stew mac

I use the Stanley surform round file (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=97111-355-21-297&lpage=none) and diamond file set (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=183604-273-22SET6D&lpage=none) from Lowes. They are cheap and I can do really good work with them. I also use the bastard file that comes with the set to sharpen my lawn mower blade or to put a quick edge on my cheap chisels.

I have a set of Nicholson Cabinet makers rasps, the rarely get any use. Micro planes and Stanley Surforms do everything a rasp can but quicker and without tearing the wood. Look into them.

I think it wasn't a good idea when I got my nicholson rasp :hmm: