Rasp

[Nick Jackson]

Does anyone know where I can get a rasp which is more than 12" – I'm sure I've seen one around three times that length but having looked on line and browsed through local dealers' catalogues I can't find one. Any ideas?

[Chris]

Why do you need such a big one Nick? Even stone carvers' rasps come as 10 or 12 inches. Of course if you are going to carve a life sized elephant then I would recommend an adze.

[Nick Jackson]

A toymaker I knew had one. I tried it a couple of times. Having lopped off corners from a head – my dolls are very rough and simple – the longer rasp really makes smoothing/curving simpler because you can do quite a bit in one movement.

Since my original posting, have tracked down said chap – actually, he lives in Llandudo – and spoke to his wife on the phone earlier. Will be calling him back later.

[johnstoate]

Interesting, - If all else fails, a specialist cast iron welder,(The type that do engine block repairs) Should be able to weld a couple of ordinary ones together and produce the length you want. - Sounds an interesting piece of kit, might experiment myself!

[martin@no10]

An excellent rasp which I personally find very useful, is the Japanese Saw Rasp - 230mm, available from Axminster Power Tools for £12.80. Although this is not as long as you are asking about, I find it is ideal for rounding & shaping. The full details are:
• Almost impossible to clog - waste falls through lattice
• Made of double edge saw blade material strips
• 25mm wide by 230mm long
• Double sided - coarse and fine
• Cuts on push stroke

The only word of caution is that it is essential to hold both ends when shaping, and that means one hand is in contact with the blades, which are really like hacksaw blades, so quite easy to remove fingerprints! - certainly for me its a much-used tool. The website is axminster.co.uk They also do a range of engineer's files & carver's rifflers, so the website is well worth a look - I have used them for years, and their service really is superb. They are based in Devon.

[Nick Jackson]

Thanks for those suggestions. There is also a Japanese two-handed Saw Rasp which sounds a tad less lethal than the one Martin describes. Also available from Axminster.

Tried to post an image but the link's not working at the moment. However, you can see aforementioned item at: http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Ice- ... 364250.htm

[johnstoate]

Just a quick thought for Martin. - To cover the 'sharp end' you could use the old file trick of fitting the tip from a crutch or walking stick over it, which gives you a 'finger friendly' end.