Spokeshave help
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First time I have ever used a spokeshave. When making the occasional table project, Paul demonstrates cutting the arches in the aprons by first using a chisel then following up with a spokeshave. The chisel part went great but when I tried using a spokeshave I ether just got gouges or nothing. On top of that the wood kept getting stuck between the sole and the lever cap – nothing like Paul’s smooth shavings. I had to resort to my sander.
I will admit that my spokeshave is an inexpensive new Stanley used as is. It seemed sharp but I could hone it. Any suggestions here?
28 September 2016 at 2:08 am #140919First thing to do with an woodworking problem: sharpen up! Make sure you are not taking too big a bite with the spokeshave. Read the grain – it’s OK to shave downhill into a curve (like a curve on the bottom of an apron), but don’t try to go back up the other side. Turn the piece around and go downhill from that side.
I’ve also found that taking strong, confident strokes has made a difference for me. I see Paul using slow calculated strokes (as well as quick, confident strokes), but I can’t get that working.
Practice. Then practice some more. And more.
I’ve learned that skewing it at an Angle helps. You’re extending the sole of the spokeshave so that it has more registration. It won’t follow the imperfections in the wood as easily. It seems to glide across the surface better. This seems to be even more important on the initial stokes that you take.
28 September 2016 at 5:34 pm #141028And the obvious. Make sure then blade is in the right way ..and why do I know this?
29 September 2016 at 5:24 am #141038Spokeshave blades are definitely one of the harder to sharpen. I used to get the unwanted camber from rolling the edge because the iron is so short. Focus on a consistent angle and make the holder if your fingers can’t keep the blade steady.
I understand why the spokeshave is Paul’s favorite. Don’t give up and you’ll have some beautiful shavings in a short time.
29 September 2016 at 2:46 pm #141045How many of you have made one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw1JGEbKgCw
29 September 2016 at 9:13 pm #141050I made one of the Sellers sharpening helpers and it works great. It’s a very small hassle to use it, but definitely worth it.
I recently bought the same spokeshave and I’ve had to do a few tweaks before it could take thin shavings. I’m still learning to use it but here’s what I’ve done so far:
1) The blade was sharpened
2) The rough internal surfaces were flattened using sandpaper to ensure the blade was better seated. I don’t know if this helped much but it didn’t hurt.
3) The blade screw needed to be adjusted so that the blade would not slip out of position once applied to the workpiece. Mine’s set so the lever cap is about 1.5mm from the iron, although there is no magic number. It takes a bit of trial and error.
4) When adjusting the blade depth, always turn the thumb wheels to “take up the slack”, or the blade will slide upwards as soon as you try to take a cut.
5) It takes a little practice to get the shaving going. I’ve found that for fine shavings, it helps to apply a bit of downward pressure on the front of the spokeshave using my thumbs. The sole needs to rest on the workpiece in a certain way so that you’re actually cutting with the blade, rather than scraping it with the back of the mouth. -
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