Whether you need a spokeshave or not depends on the project you are working on. It is a handy tool for shaping and smoothing curved surfaces, such as the sides of a chair seat or the edges of a wooden spoon.
It is also useful for fitting round holes and curves in other wooden pieces. If your project requires you to shape and refine curves, then a spokeshave might be a useful addition to your toolkit. However, if you do not need to shape and refine curves, then it may not be necessary.
Do you push or pull a spokeshave?
It depends on which type of spokeshave you’re using. If you’re using a standard drawknife-style spokeshave, generally you would use a pulling motion to create a smooth surface. If you’re using a push-type spokeshave, then you would use a pushing motion.
When using either type of spokeshave, you should use the appropriate grip technique so that you stay in control of the tool and are able to apply a consistent amount of pressure to the wood. Additionally, keep in mind that you should pull or push the spokeshave in a steady, continuous motion to achieve the best results.
What are the different types of spoke shave?
Spoke shaves are handy tools used to create smooth, round surfaces on wood. They come in many different styles and variations, but generally, there are three main types of spoke shaves.
Draw-cut spoke shaves are the most common and popular type. These shaves are basically just like a drawknife, in that they have slightly curved blades that protrude from a handle, enabling them to form smooth curves when drawn across a surface.
They are ideal for fine-tuning and creating the perfect profile on a project, such as the inside of a chair leg or the handles of a chest.
Cross-cut spoke shaves are a bit less common, but they can be extremely useful for creating large smooth curves. They look very similar to draw-cut spoke shaves, but with blades that are set at an angle and designed to travel across the wood grain.
This makes them excellent for curved trim work and creating larger projects, like doors and tables with curved legs.
The third type of spoke shave is a flat-bottom spoke shave, which is designed to remove material quickly when working on larger projects. These shaves have a flat edge that runs perpendicular to the wood grain, allowing for faster and more efficient material removal.
They can be used for chamfering edges, shaping edges, and cutting fretwork patterns.
No matter what type of spoke shave you choose, proper technique and sharp blades are essential for good results. It would also be beneficial to evaluate your project and figure out the type of spoke shave that works best for the specific job.
With a little practice, you can become an expert in crafting projects with these wonderful tools.
What does a spokeshave look like?
A spokeshave is a handheld tool that looks like a cross between a plane and a drawknife. It is typically composed of two handles which are connected to a flat metal blade that is mostly flat and has two beveled edges.
They come in a variety of sizes, models, and styles and traditionally have either a round or oval knob at the top. They are used for smoothing and shaping wood or metal by removing small amounts of material at a time.
They can be used with either a push or pull motion, and some models feature adjustable blades to modify the blade’s cutting angle. Many spokeshaves are designed with a flat base that allows them to sit on the work piece while they are being used, while other models have a curved base allowing them to be used freely in the hand.
Why is it called a spokeshave?
A spokeshave is an ancient woodworking tool which earns its name from the curved, handle-like shape it takes. In the traditional style, spokeshaves consisted of two metal blades connected by an adjustable hand grip, with a sole (or flat base) in between.
Historically, spokeshaves were used to shape the spokes of wheels, hence the name ‘spokeshave’. The tool proved to be so versatile however, that it quickly gained widespread use for other uses such as shaping chair legs, boat hulls and other wood-related items.
The flat base on the spokeshave allowed the operator to use it on curved items, enabling the craftsman to achieve a wide range of curved shapes. Later versions of the spokeshave also featured a knurled adjusting screw which allowed the user to fine-tune the blades for a more precise cut.
In more modern times, spokehaves continue to be popular among woodworkers, often alongside other ancient tools such as the gouge, mallet, and chisel.
How do you set a spoke shave?
Setting a spoke shave is relatively simple and only takes a few steps. First, make sure that the blades are installed properly in the plane; they should be firmly nested into the front and back slots and the bevel should be facing down.
Next, you need to choose the blade based on what type of material you are shaveing – a course blade works best for soft woods, while a fine blade works well for harder woods. Once you have selected the correct blade, you need to adjust the tension on the screw at the back of the plane to make sure the blade is secure.
Finally, make sure the plane is securely clamped to the wood surface – this will help ensure your shave comes out smooth and even.
What are rasps used for?
Rasps are a type of hand tool used for shaping, smoothing, and removing material from a hard surface. They are most commonly used to shape wood, but they can also be used on softer materials such as plastic, foam, putty, and soft metals like aluminum.
Rasps have sharp cutting teeth that allow them to quickly remove material. The larger the teeth, the coarser the cut; the smaller the teeth, the finer the cut. They can be used to carve intricate designs, create bevels, smooth out irregular surfaces, and generally just give a more refined look to any material being shaped.
Other uses for rasps include filing, removing rust, and sculpting. Some rasps even come with interchangeable heads for different tasks.
What kind of tool is used in cutting and chopping wood?
A variety of tools are used for cutting and chopping wood, including saws (such as hand saws and power saws), axes (including hatchets and splitting axes), chisels, and hand planers. Hand saws typically have blades with a variety of teeth, so they can cut into wood with different levels of speed and precision.
Power saws, typically used in carpentry, are electric or gas-powered and include circular saws (for making straight cuts), jigsaws (for making curved cuts), and reciprocating saws (for making curved and straight cuts).
Axes are used for splitting logs for firewood or for chopping and shaping wood for construction purposes. Chisels are used for carving and trimming wooden pieces, and hand planers are used for smoothing, shaping and sizing wooden pieces.
What kind of draw knife do I need?
When it comes to selecting the right draw knife, it really depends on the type of job you’re going to be doing. Whether you’re looking for a tool to whittle wood or to shave down logs, you should make sure you choose the right one that best meets your needs.
Generally, draw knives come in three different blade lengths – short, medium, and long – with the shorter blade being preferred for jobs like individual log shavings, while the longer blades are better for larger and longer logs.
Some draw knives also come with removable handles, which is nice because it makes them more versatile, while others might have a more tapered blade that can help with more precise carving and detailed work.
Additionally, draw knives usually come in both right and left-handed versions, so make sure you choose the one that best fits your preference. Ultimately, when it comes to choosing the right draw knife, it’s best to consider the size, type, and shape of the blade and handle to best find the one that fits your needs.
Is a straight or curved draw knife better?
A straight or curved draw knife really depends on the project being done. A straight draw knife is great for a lot of general work, especially finer details and carving. It is easy to control, and can be used to make all sorts of shapes.
The blade can remain straight and long, allowing for long, clean cuts. Draw knives typically have two handles that allow for more control, and the straight blade will help users to make more precise cuts.
The curved draw knife is ideal for curved sections and shapes that aren’t able to be achieved with the straight blade. The curved blade will allow for more precision, making it great for trimming, shaping and detailing wooden objects.
Since the blade isn’t as long, it is also easier to control. While the curved draw knife should still be used with caution, it is generally safer for beginners as it is not as difficult to control.
The type of draw knife that is best for a project is up to the user and varies depending on the specifics of the project. Both the straight and curved draw knives have their advantages and drawbacks, but can both be used effectively depending on the project.
Are spokeshave blades bevel up or down?
When using a spokeshave, it is important to ensure that the blade is beveled up. This means that the wedge should be angled towards the body of the tool instead of the edge of the blade. The bevelled edge will create the cut that is desired when using the spokeshave.
When the blade is beveled up, the spokeshave will perform better as the sharp edge will be able to create a finer cut. Additionally, the blade will be less likely to slip as the beveled edge will provide better control.
If the blade is beveled down, it will not be able to cut as well as the dull edge will cause snagging and roughing up the surface of the material being cut. To ensure the blade is beveled up, a light hand can be used to rotate the blade so that it is angled toward the body of the tool and make adjustments as needed.
What should I look for in a spokeshave?
When looking for a spokeshave, there are a few things to consider. First, consider the type of work that you will be doing. Different tasks require different blade shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find one that can accommodate your needs.
Second, of course, consider the quality of the tool itself. You want to buy a spokeshave that is made from durable materials and is built to last. Third, look for a spokeshave that is comfortable to use.
You should be able to easily grip the tool, and it should make working on your project easy and efficient. Finally, consider the adjustability of the blade. You want to be able to easily adjust the depth and angle of the blade to suit the type of work that you are doing.
By considering these factors, you can find a spokeshave that will be perfect for your projects.
What angle should a Spokeshave be sharpened?
It is generally recommended that a Spokeshave be sharpened at a 25 degree angle. This particular angle is optimal for planing wood, as it provides an excellent balance between strength and cutting ability.
However, the angle at which you sharpen your Spokeshave may depend on the type of wood you are working with. For soft woods, such as pine or cedar, you may want to sharpen at a slightly higher angle to avoid over-cutting.
On the other hand, if you are working with hard woods, such as oak or walnut, then sharpening at a slightly lower angle will give you better cutting power.
In any case, it is important to make sure that the bevels on both sides of the Spokeshave are the same angle. This ensures that the blade stays properly centered and that the cutting edge is symmetrical.
Furthermore, it is important to maintain a relatively sharp edge, as this will help you achieve smoother cuts.
What is a Travisher?
A travisher is a tool used in carpentry and woodwork. It is a kind of crowbar, made from iron or steel, and is used to force apart difficultly-joined wood pieces. The travisher is similar to a pry bar, but is longer and has a more sharply hooked end.
The hooked end is used to insert into the thin cracks between two pieces of wood and then lever the pieces apart. The hooked end also can be used for levering and raising. It is commonly used in demolition work to break apart old walls and furniture.
Travishers can also be used to align boards or panels that have shifted out of place or remove damaged parts of a surface.
Is a router plane useful?
Yes, a router plane is a very useful tool, especially for fine and detailed work. Router planes do a great job of trimming and smoothing away excess material, such as cleaning up rabbets or cutting housing joints.
They are much more accurate than traditional chisels, as they provide a flat surface that is great for precision joining or other delicate work. Additionally, their blades can be adjusted to create a variety of depths, providing flexibility when tackling various tasks.
Router planes are also great for final roughing to match intricate parts and producing seamless transitions. In summary, a router plane is a great tool for creating fine and detailed work and offers a good balance between speed and precision.