Billy Flitch
Established Member
Last week there was a thread on spoke shaves and some of the guys where IMO just a little bit unfair with their opinions on the 151. This thread is not meant as a criticism of that,I just got thinking that maybe some one using a metal spoke shave for the first time may be looking for a few pointers, so this thread is just my observations on the use of steel spokeshaves.
I`v used steel spokeshaves for most of my life but I wont make comments on the so called top end spokeshaves because I`v never used them, to be totally honest I`v never seen them in real life.
The very first spokeshave that I used was a wooden one and I know why they fit a brass plate to the front of them its because that is where the tool wears the tool was worn in the front in fact it had a groove in it that made it almost imposable to set and use.I think it was that tool that put me off wooden spokeshaves for life. So if you are thinking about getting a wooden spokeshave get one with a brass plate in front of the mouth just to be on the safe side.
I use four spokeshaves the basic 51 curved sole, two 151 both flat and curved sole and the 53 adjustable mouth
Like I said the front of the sole is the reference point of the tool and must be kept in contact with the work piece at all times
Here is a pic of the straight and curved sole on the 151`s, the importance of the curved sole is that it lets the spokeshave drop down at the back and change the angle that the iron contacts the wood, this is used on inside curves (concave).
The way the spokeshave is held controls just how the tool can be used. First off it is not held like it was a iron bar, it is held just like you would hold a pencil with three fingers in each hand with the for finger slightly forward, the thumb on the back of the tool to give the power to move it forward and the middle finger supporting the tool from underneath.
This pic shows the grip.
the next pic shows the position for the thumb on the 151 there is a pad at the back of the tool just for this.
the next pic shows the middle finger from underneath and the other two fingers just gently supporting the handle.
The hold is important because the forefinger presses down on the front of the tool so the reference point is maintained all the time the tool is being used. the position of the thumb and middle finger allow tool to be swiveled so the optimum angle for the contact between the iron and the work piece can found at all times.
One more post to follow.
I`v used steel spokeshaves for most of my life but I wont make comments on the so called top end spokeshaves because I`v never used them, to be totally honest I`v never seen them in real life.
The very first spokeshave that I used was a wooden one and I know why they fit a brass plate to the front of them its because that is where the tool wears the tool was worn in the front in fact it had a groove in it that made it almost imposable to set and use.I think it was that tool that put me off wooden spokeshaves for life. So if you are thinking about getting a wooden spokeshave get one with a brass plate in front of the mouth just to be on the safe side.
I use four spokeshaves the basic 51 curved sole, two 151 both flat and curved sole and the 53 adjustable mouth
Like I said the front of the sole is the reference point of the tool and must be kept in contact with the work piece at all times
Here is a pic of the straight and curved sole on the 151`s, the importance of the curved sole is that it lets the spokeshave drop down at the back and change the angle that the iron contacts the wood, this is used on inside curves (concave).
The way the spokeshave is held controls just how the tool can be used. First off it is not held like it was a iron bar, it is held just like you would hold a pencil with three fingers in each hand with the for finger slightly forward, the thumb on the back of the tool to give the power to move it forward and the middle finger supporting the tool from underneath.
This pic shows the grip.
the next pic shows the position for the thumb on the 151 there is a pad at the back of the tool just for this.
the next pic shows the middle finger from underneath and the other two fingers just gently supporting the handle.
The hold is important because the forefinger presses down on the front of the tool so the reference point is maintained all the time the tool is being used. the position of the thumb and middle finger allow tool to be swiveled so the optimum angle for the contact between the iron and the work piece can found at all times.
One more post to follow.
