How to use a flat cabinet scraper

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Step 1 – Clamp workpiece

Secure your workpiece in a vice or clamp, or against a workbench stop, ensuring that the whole of the face or edge to be scraped is above the securing parts, giving free access to the workpiece surface.

Step 2 – Bend scraper

Carefully bend the sides of the cabinet scraper back towards you, using your thumbs to push in the centre. This will make a curve in the scraper which will catch the wood and act as the cutting edge.

If the scraper is not bent, the blade will be less effective, removing little material from the wood’s surface.

Step 3 – Angle scraper

Angle the top of the cabinet scraper slightly away from you.

Step 4 – Position scraper

Place the bottom of the cabinet scraper at the end of the wood closest to you.

Step 5 – Scrape workpiece

Push the scraper along the workpiece using your hands, while keeping the slight bend in the scraper with your thumbs.

Push the scraper all the way across the surface.

Step 6 – Finish scraping

Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the surface of the wood is even and smooth.