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Making and Using Scratch Stocks

Our next Hand Tool SIG is scheduled for February 27 at 10:00, join us!

The last time we met we looked at sharpening and using cabinet scrapers to smooth and prepare wood without using sandpaper. This coming weekend we will look at very close relative of the scraper, the scratch stock. 

This tool can be easily made at home for less than the cost of a card scraper, in fact you can make several custom scratches from a single scraper. It is used to add beading or other custom shapes to edges as well as to make the very thin grooves needed for string inlay work.

Three years ago the SDFWA shop hosted an excellent class taught by well known hand tool woodworker and writer for Fine Woodworking, Garret Hack. The class was called Delightful Details and Garret taught us how to add various details that can enhance the visual impact of furniture. One of the many things he taught us was how to make and use a scratch stock.

Impressed though I was, I did not find time to start making use of this knowledge until the following year when I was making a sheet music cabinet for my wife. The doors and sides had pierced carvings inspired by Chris Schwartz and we had picked out wrought iron handles and strap hinges for the door.

When it was nearly completed I thought the piece had just the right level of decorative embellishment. However,  when I put it all together the whole effect was not right and the doors did not stand out the way they did in my mind’s eye.

 After a couple of days of frustration, I cast my mind back to Garret’s class and the inspiration came. Something told me that I had stumbled upon the right solution, so I made and tested a scratch stock that would give me a 1/4” diameter bead as well as creating a shadow line that would help define each door.

As soon as I cut the first bead that softened the door edges and added that shadow the subtle difference was clear. The looks balanced up, I was a happy camper and best of all, I did not even have to buy a new tool to do accomplish this.

So join us this Saturday when we will demonstrate how to make and use this simple tool that enables you to add your own unique touch to any piece of furniture. You may be surprised at the results if you try it!

The left and center pieces both have details that can be created using scratch stocks

To watch a video by Garret Hack about making and using scratch stock, check out this link. https://www.finewoodworking.com/2008/07/31/how-to-make-a-scratch-stock

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association
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San Diego, CA 92121
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BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

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After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

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By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.

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