So I took Frenchy’s advice and got a handscraper to smooth the spalted maple, but I have a question. I assume that you are supposed to handscrape in the same general direction as the grain. However, do you only scrape in one direction? or do you eventually reverse the board and scrape in the other direction? Because I can run my hand over the board now, and it is smooth as glass the one way, but still has a bit of nap going the other way.
Thanks for any advice!
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Yes,
but you need to be carefull not to induce a dip to eliminate the nap.
I do question exactly how sharp your scraper was*. I've been able to eliminate all feel of raised grain with really sharp cards. (but yeh! I change direction to eleminate knots etc..)
Just for information how quickly did you pick up the sharpening technique?
One great thing about using a scraper is that you can work it either way with the grain, even changing directions in a very small area.
Is it a card scraper or a plane-type? Card scrapers are better for final smoothing.
Where you feel the nap, scrape lightly in the other direction. Also try holding the scraper at a bias to the edge of the board, which will help shear fibers instead of tearing them.
Oh, and make sure it's really sharp. Hone the edge square until you can't see any milling marks. Hone the sides until you can't see any milling marks. Then burnish just very lightly.
I got a card scraper, Bahco brand. I saw a website that described how to sharpen and burnish, but I went over to the cabinetmaker's shop this afternoon, and he said I was not getting it sharp enough and sharpened it with a file instead of the stone I had been using. Dramatically different feel when it scrapes now. He was also quite vehement about how much it would cost if I asked *him* to scrape the wood.... ;-}
It's good to start with a file, but for a flawless surface I still like to use a stone. File is comparable to grinding stone, then start with a relatively course stone (I use diamond stones) and work up to a fine one.
Or don't worry about it ;-)