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When I scrape thin .020" & .030" plastic purfling there are areas that get [folded] over into the grain. This leaves the line jagged looking, in spots and not real crisp looking. Anyone else struggle with this or have any suggestions? My scraper is sharp with a good hook on it. I have tried scraping in various directions and that is somewhat beneficial but there always ssems to be some small area that needs help. This seems to be more of a problem on open grain woods too.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

I struggle with it also. So, you are not alone. I have not found a solution to it yet. It happens sometimes, and sometimes it is not a problem. I have not figured out the difference yet.

Thanks for the support James. At least I am not alone. Sometimes I leave them a bit high and sand them down and this works better but the draw back is they don't stay as flat as when they are scraped.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

How long did you leave it to dry? I have struggled with plastic "crumbling" due to the acetone glues. They really need to dry out good.

Do you think that is what you are seeing?

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

   It could be that you are not scraping down enough. I often see this just before it "cleans up". I agree that the glue needs to be cured. ( 4hr min ). Also do you have a good clean burr? If your scraper isn't sharp you can have this effect also.
   There is a knack to shapen them. Good luck,
John Ha ll

I leave them dry over night in a warm room. The scraper burr is sharp and fresh and the hook is turned properly. I have used steel scrapers (properly prepared), glass and razor blades. It's particularly noticeable on EIR.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Gotta go with John on this whenever I rebind a repair I get the fuzzies until I scrape a hair further than I think it needs, it is really cool when it cleans up with one or two extra scrapes.
      Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

You may want to wait another day if you are using plastic and a glue that softens it. But my advise is to switch to fiber for white and black lines.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Try using a scraper with a very small burr. I use a dull xacto blade; not the blade, but the part that goes into the handle. use your thumb as a stop to keep off the top/back/side.

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Mark Joy

mjoy Guitars

[QUOTE=Howard Klepper] You may want to wait another day if you are using plastic and a glue that softens it. But my advise is to switch to fiber for white and black lines.
[/QUOTE]

I have learned to wait longer on plastic too. That seemed to fix my problem.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Yeah, wait longer. All adhesives soften the plastics by quite a bit. Give it 3 days, sharpen the scraper, but DON'T turn a hook, and all will go perfectly.

I've been using a single edge razor blade and turn a small hook on it. Works good if the bindings are hard again. Waiting seems to be the key or like Howard suggests swithch to fiber.

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   My scrapers are made from tool steel , I made my early ones from old hack saw blades. I use a good oil stone to sharpen them.
   It is east to burnish an edge. I like them 1/2" to 3/4" wide and about 3 inches long. I put about a 10 degree angle or less then roll the edge. I have them in all kinds of shapes and sizes as you can find lots of uses .

Thanks fellas, I'll try again tomorrow as they will be three days old then. I used some maple/fiber purflings in this batch too and I didn't have any issues with them.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com