Riffler for carving from Liogier

[pbigham]

 I have been thinking of ordering a Riffler to clean up carving background from Liogier. What do the expert carvers recommend ? I have some that I use but not the quality of Lioger and # 6 seems to fit the bill. Thoughts Appreciated.   Paul Bigham

[Acer Saccharum]

I would caution you to err on the side of a little finer tooth if you are cutting maple. The hand cut rasps cut like crazy, and the finer patterns remove stock plenty fast without clogging.

[jerrywh]

I probably have a hundred riflers but I actually use very few of them.  After buying all of them I now just break or cut off a small piece of a equaling file and smooth off the teeth on one side. Then I solder it on to the end of a small bent screwdriver shaft and grind it to the shape I want to use . You can grind them to about any shape required for cleaning up carving.  I use stay bright solder to solder them on. Staybright does not melt hot enough to take the temper out of the file.  You can shape them after you solder them on.  I shape them on a small belt sander.  
       Being a engraver I also cut some special files by hand with a small chisel. Those hand cut files are very small maybe only 1 1/2 mm wide. I make them out of good quality small screwdrivers. I just Bend the end and shape to desired shape, cut the teeth and harden them. I don't bother to temper them because they only get light use.
   You guys that engrave can try this. In times past all files were cut by hand.  I think Acer has done this before.
PS try cutting fingernail files to shape with scissors

[Rolf]

I've orderd a #6, stiching 13, Liogier rasp for the same purpose. Have not got jet.

Best regards
Rolf

[Jim Kibler]

Everybody has different techniques.  For almost all longrifle carving, I don't use any kind of a riffler file or rasp.  It could be beneficial I suppose, but I don't feel it can make up for good carving technique with edged tools.  I've noticed some tend to rely on them to create smooth and level backgrounds.  It often doesn't work well in my view.  With that said, in the right hands, I know they can work.  Acer has shown how he uses a little rasp he made for working carving background and he ends up with very nice results.  I'm sure he could end up with good results just using an edge tool as well.  So, maybe they can help, but I don't think they will make up for lack of skills in other areas.

[Long John]

I have been using small bent scrapers made from 1095 spring stock, tempered to a light yellow on the edge, to smooth down background, etc. in my carving.  My results suggest that no one in his right mind would follow suit.

Best Regards,

John Cholin

[DaveP (UK)]

I now just break or cut off a small piece of a equaling file and smooth off the teeth on one side. Then I solder it on to the end of a small bent screwdriver

I'd like to try something along these lines, but Stay bright solder isn't the easiest product to find, locally, and the price is a bit eye watering at about £50 an ounce.
As I see it, it wouldn't be a highly stressed tool. Do you think it might be worth trying to use plumbers solder, and making the joint area as large as possible?

[P.W.Berkuta]

DaveP --- try using JB Weld epoxy it is very strong and when the file gets dull just heat it up & remove it - very simple and easy - no fuss no muss  . I do like scrapers but a nicely shaped file works very well in that "special" area  .

[Acer Saccharum]

Actually, I did make some small bottoming rasps/rifflers.  The pointed one on the left is the one I use almost exclusively for backgrounding up to the carving. Then I switch to miniature scrapers to level the field.

From my relief carving tutorial:

[jerrywh]

 Dave p
  you should be able to buy a solder locally that melts at about 450.° f .  It is a tin alloy.  Most non lead solders will work because they are mostly tin.  JB weld should work but it is slow . How about super glue.  These tool are used with a very light touch and normally will never some loose. I have never had one come off.
   I'll get some photos of the tools this afternoon.

[jerrywh]

http://jwh-flintlocks.net/files1.jpg
http://jwh-flintlocks.net/files2.jpg
http://jwh-flintlocks.net/files3.jpg
http://jwh-flintlocks.net/files4.jpg

[kaintuck]

 
I just need to get the kat to learn how to do that with his claws....he's home all day long, and he can really tear up a my benches 2x4 legs.....

there ain't no easy way.........

[DaveP (UK)]

That's an impressive collection of "little treasures"! And to think I thought I was hard on screwdrivers...
I'm not setting out to make quite that many. At the moment I'm just looking for an accessible way to make myself something of similar proportions to Acer's famous rasp. Just to help out in the tighter corners. And maybe something circular abut 3/16 diameter.
Truth to tell, I'm enjoying learning to use scrapers, but I find that when working in a confined space, if the scraper starts to chatter then it's all over, and I need a different type of tool to deal with the roughness I have just created.
I had a further look for solder last night, and yes, Tin 96% Silver 4% solders melting at 430F / 220C are readily available. They're resin cored rather than dip in a bottle but I doubt that will matter to me.
Thanks for the help

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Jerry, what a wonderful piece of carving!!  And in walnut too...mind blowing!!  I'd love to see more of that piece...

[John C IND]

Is that a case of "My Griffon ate my homework"?
Very nice, indeed.

[jerrywh]

 Thanks Taylor.
  That is the double fowler on my web site.  http://jwh-flintlocks.net/ff_pg2.html

[Bob Roller]

I just looked at that double flinter.THAT is a masterpiece of the first rank.
How much time is invested in that project and I won't ask about the money
but would like to know where the externals for those locks came from.

Bob Roller

[jerrywh]

 Bob. Thanks for the compliment. The locks are all hand made. The internals are modified L&R bails. I might write a book on that gun some day if I live long enough.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Jerry, there are no words.  That piece is the stuff of history.  I'm so honoured to know you.

[Vomitus]

   Mind blowing SXS!  Glad you're back,Jerry.