80 - Heirloom Tool Cabinet, страница 38

These lightweight rasps pack a big punch with a fast-cutting action.

high-tech, smooth-cutting

Way iii the back of my tool chest are a few rust)', old rasps. I admit they're not used much. It's not that they don't work. When it comes to shaping curved and round parts, like cabriole legs, nothing beats having a rasp close at hand. They cut much quicker and more aggressively than cither files or sandpaper.

The problem is they work almost too well. I end up spending so much time cleaning up the furrows and gouges left by the rasp, that I avoid using it. But recently, I came across a new tool that takes a totally different approach to shaping wood.

Replace the Blade. All it

takes is a pencil to pop out one blade and snap in a different profile or grade.

The Micniplnjif rasps, like the one shown in the photo above, remove wood just as fast as traditional rasps. But the big difference is the smoother surface they leave behind. So you'll spend a lot less time sanding after using them.

Lightweight Tool. At first glance, a Micrpphnc rasp doesn't look like a woodworking tool. It consists of a molded plastic handle with a long blade. And when you pick one up, you'll notice how lightweight it is. It seems more suited to the kitchen than the shop.

Ifs tempting to think these tools aren't meant for serious woodworking. But the truth is, these tools can stand up to more than just wood. Micmplnnt's can be used on plywood, MDF, rubber, plastic, evenautobody filler and fiberglass.

One Tool, Several Blades. Besides their unique look, Microplone rasps work differently than other rasps. A typical rasp has a thick, steel blade with raised teeth that scratch and tear away material. On most rasps, the teeth are set in even rows. Tliis leads to deep gouges and can clog the teeth. (The box at the bottom of pages 40 and 41 features traditional-style rasps that leave a much smoother finish.)

Instead of thick, heavy steel, Mtcroplnne blades are made from thin stainless steel. The blades are replaceable and "pop" out of the handle with a pencil, like you see in the photo at left. This lets you swap out one profile for another. You can choose among flat, round, and angled profiles (photos on the top of the opposite page). Each profile

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ShopNotes No. 80