Metal Hand Scraping Tools

Cutting Edges

• Most hand scrapers have a triangular point that has three different cutting edges. However, some scrapers have a flatter point. The scrapers with broader edges can scrape more areas, while the thinner scrapers allow machinists to precisely scrape off specific pieces of metal. Some of the scrapers have hooked shapes that help machinists get around tricky areas.

Internal Deburring

• Some specialized hand scrapers can travel into a pipe and deburr the internal ridges of the pipe using holes drilled into the pipe.

Scraping Materials

• Metal scrapers are made out of a variety of materials that can handle a high degree of pressure without breaking, such as tungsten carbide and high speed steel. Tungsten carbide blades are the most durable. The better the metal, the thinner the pieces of metal you can scrape off. You want to scrape off enough metal so that the workpiece has a smooth surface while not taking off too much, which might leave you with a workpiece that is too small.

Handle

• Scrapers always have a scrapping edge and some also come with a handle, which must have a grip that helps the machinist hold on to the blade while scraping the metal. With other scrapers, you slide the blade into a suitable handle, allowing you to interchange different blades for different projects. These tools can come with either carbide blades, miniscrapers for hard to reach areas or specialized internal blades for scraping out the inside of a pipe.

Files

• Those who do not have scraping tools designed specifically for smoothing out the edges of metal parts can use an old file. However, you must frequently sharpen this file so that it can cut through the metal efficiently. You will also want a sturdy holding device so that you can control the metal and not make any mistakes that might result from the workpiece suddenly slipping.

Scraper Size

• Scraper handles come in different sizes. Smaller scrapers can help you reach confined areas, but the larger scraper handles give you more leverage, which makes scraping easier.