Author Topic: Nicholsons No. 49 Pattern Makers Rasp (Read 10419 times)

grabenkater · « **on:** February 28, 2011, 03:50:53 PM »

Can anyone point me in the direction of where to purchase one of these rasps? Also, if I can only buy one at the moment, is the 49 better to own or the 50?

Bart · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2011, 03:58:22 PM »

Woodcraft or Brownells carry them.

David Veith · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2011, 04:00:47 PM »

Jameswood Boat Building is the cheapest. One is finer than the other. Get both you will be happier.
David

grabenkater · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2011, 04:23:04 PM »

Quote from: David Veith on February 28, 2011, 04:00:47 PM

Jameswood Boat Building is the cheapest. One is finer than the other. Get both you will be happier.
David

Thanks David, I can only afford one at the moment.

Jim Curlee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2011, 04:27:42 PM »

Get the #50.
I bought 2, 20 some years ago, they are still going strong.
I use mine almost everyday, I'm a woodworker.
They leave a pretty smooth finish.
Also I think it's Jamestown, not "Jameswood".
Jim

James · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2011, 04:47:23 PM »

Highland Woodworking and also Traditional Woodworker have given me good service.

JCKelly · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2011, 05:11:02 PM »

Great sites.

Has anyone used those Iwasaki Carving Files?

( from highlandwoodworking.com )

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2011, 06:33:35 PM »

Check out these, I have one of these the 12” and use it for knocking the edges off antler on the lathe. I have had it for a number of years, it has seen a lot of use and does not seem to have dulled. Coarse, more like a 49.

Tim C.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/sculpture-house-quality-rasps/#photos

Jerry V Lape · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2011, 06:37:57 PM »

If I had only one it would be the 50. Got mine from Jamestown boat makers supply.

Curt Larsen · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2011, 06:54:00 PM »

Try Jamestown Distributors in Rhode Island for boatbuilding stuff. They often have the 49 and 50 on sale or with free shipping.

Rasch Chronicles · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2011, 08:49:34 PM »

The following rasps are considered the summa plus ultra of rasps. If you look them up on the woodworking forums and boards, you'll see they come highly recomended; and with that, comes the price.

Hand-Cut Cabinet Maker's Rasps by Auriou

Here is a rasp that might just be the cat's pajamas:

Gramercy Tools Hand Cut Saw Handle Maker's Rasp

I'm thinking the wrist here...

Hope this helps!
Regards,
Albert

Dan Herda · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2011, 10:18:28 PM »

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2778&familyName=Cabinet+Rasps

This is the best price for these , that I am aware of.

caliber45 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2011, 10:27:42 PM »

Grabenkater -- This is my second attempt to post a reply; don't know where I went wrong. In case you're open to a "second opinion," here goes: If you can only buy one of the rasps, I'd recommend #49. I have both, but seldom use #50. While #50 has bigger (and more widely-spaced) teeth, #49 seems to me to remove more wood with the same amount of effort. Plus, #49 leaves shallower grooves in the wood, meaning less work to remove them with your next level of smoothing. Just my own experience. -- paulallen, tucson az

Darrin McDonal · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2011, 01:59:06 AM »

Those Auriou rasps are supposed to be spectacular. I tried one a while back and it was worlds nicer than the Nicholsons, but my Nicholsons are still going strong and haven't needed to replace them. If I did I would get some of these in a heart beat.
Be carefull though I have seen new #49 & #50s and they were NOT made in the USA and were terrible. I tried them side by side and there was a very big difference.
Darrin

Rasch Chronicles · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2011, 04:21:01 AM »

Darrin,

Funny you should mention that, as I read the same thing on another blog, forum, website, board... Nicholson's not made in America... who would have thought it possible...

Those frenchy rasps though are hand cut and sharpened. Because they are hand cut randomly the finish they leave is much smoother. I ordered one and I'll get to see what it's like when I get home. Still have to get that Saw Handke Maker's rasp though...

Best regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
The Best Turkey Hunting Tips!

IRONSIGHT · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2011, 04:51:20 PM »

The Auriou rasps are numbered by grain 1 through 15. What number would compare to Nicholson's #49 and #50?

Telgan · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2011, 07:36:53 PM »

So who has the best deal on Auriou rasps and which length and courseness are you buying?

JCKelly · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2011, 09:14:23 PM »

I would be inclined to avoid Indian or even South American rasps. Not so well cut as American.

There is some excellent European stuff

If you buy Chinese you get what you deserve.

Rasch Chronicles · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2011, 11:33:45 PM »

A #9-11 is the coarser while the 13-15 is the finer.
I would venture to guess that the 12-13 would be best for this kind of work.

Albert

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2011, 12:35:43 AM »

A #5 or #6 Auriou grain should be be about equivalent to the #49. I have several Auriou rasps and find the #9 grain to be my favorite by far. I hardly use the coarser ones I have. The #9 grain cuts fairly fast but leaves a very nice finish. I don't use if for bulk wood removal, but rather for refining the shape once it is roughly established with other tools such as gouges, planes, shaves or coarser rasps.

Telgan · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2011, 01:14:58 AM »

Thanks Jim. 9 or 10 inch? Any idea what supplier might have the best deal?

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #21 on:** March 02, 2011, 01:44:36 AM »

I have the 10". Not sure where the best deal is. When I bought mine I had to buy them directly from Auriou.

rickw · « **Reply #22 on:** March 02, 2011, 03:07:05 AM »

I bought a Nicholson#50 rasp from Jamestown about the middle of last year. It was made in Brazil, and wasn't nearly as sharp as the American-made #49 I bought from them a couple of years ago.
It works Ok, but I'm going to have it sharpened when I send my next batch of files to Boggs File and Tool Sharpening.
Rick W

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Author Topic: Nicholsons No. 49 Pattern Makers Rasp (Read 10419 times)

Rasch Chronicles

caliber45

Rasch Chronicles

IRONSIGHT

Rasch Chronicles