How do I use a Spoke Shave

[colinj]

Hi I have just been given some workshop tools including a Spoke Shave.
In what capacity would I use it please?

I am a beginner.
Colinj.

 

[Adam]

I use mine for curves. I have one with a rounded sole, so have the option to do both convex and concave curves. I also use mine to take the edge of sharp corners sometimes.

Heres one in use...

Making a chair leg

Adam

 

[Adam]

Or a better picture, to take this..

and convert it to this

which ended up like this

Adam

 

[Alf]

Ah, a Big Question. Almost easier to say when not to use them in a way. Shaping is their forte. Whether it's cleaning up curved edge of a component, like this tale of woe rescued by spokeshaves, to forming and refining more complicated curves, such as:

To chamfering:

To turning square sticks into rounds:


Marvellous tools, horribly under-rated and plagued by the fixation for fine shavings.

Cheers, Alf

 

[colinj]

Thank you, lots of good ways of using one.
I will have a go at some scrap wood first and practice.
Colinj.

 

[mambo]

Adam i usually pull mine :? have i been doing it wrong all these years :?: i find it gives better control

 

[Alf]

Pulling is just as acceptable. Whatever works for you.

 

[nickson71]

I got a low angle spoke shave for christmas ...... not had time to use it properly yet (DIY getting in the way just fixing a damp problem)

But I made a nice pile of shavings on Christmas day giving a scrap plank a nice flowing curve ......... unfortunately I did it in my Mother living room

Top tool .............

 

[Anonymous]

I use mine to wedge my office door open, so I can hear the phone ringing.

 

[Lord Nibbo]

I use mine to wedge my office door open, so I can hear the phone ringing.

Does it work as an amplifier as well as cut wood then? :wink:

PS... I have always pulled mine, I have more control pulling.

 

[mambo]

hmmm did that sound too rude :?:

 

[colinj]

So do you take a big shaving with this or light ones like a normal plane?.
Colinj.

 

[David C]

Many Spokeshaves can be very difficult, due to thin blades badly seated and clamped.

Some jobs require rank settings but flat curved surfaces will need fine settings as with finishing plane to produce a chatter free surface.

David

 

[colinj]

Yes I have experienced Chatter with my jack Plane and my electric planer.
Does this normally affect softwoods or all woods.

 

[David C]

Chatter is a very common problem with planes, spokeshaves etc. in all types of timber, possibly worse in harder wood.

Many causes. But thin poorly supported and sharpened blades with too big a cut are often the reason.

Electric planer? Are you posssibly confusing the scalloped finish, which all rotary planers produce with chatter?

David

 

[colinj]

Yes probably I seem to find it gouges out a furrow ruining the piece (So far on scrap wood as I am practicing with it atm)

Perhaps I am taking too much off you see Iam trying to square timber with it and sizing wood to what I will want. But I must stress only on scrap wood until I get the hang of it.
Like most tools I am practicing planing and finishing sawing etc until I feel more confident. This is the best way to practice new techniques joints etc?
Col.

 

[David C]

I think you would be wise to contact someone who can use and demonstrate what a plane is capable of.

Otherwise I suspect you are going to have a very frustrating time.

David