: Is there any consensus on the best tool for scraping epoxy? I have read about
: cabinet scrapers, glass, and recently heard of a tool by Hide that is
: effective and has replaceable blades. I am going to start my first boat
: and would like to learn from everyone's collective experiences instead of
: buying an assortment of scrapers. One of the drawbacks with tools lacking
: replaceable blades is sharpening. I have read that maintaining the blade
: shape after sharpening multiple times can be difficult. That is why the
: Hyde tool has considerable appeal. Thanks

I like the cheap scrapers for house paint removal available at most hardware stores.

They have a blade with four edges. First thing you should do is round the corners so it won't gouge
a nice rut where you don't want one. Shape one or more edges to fit the inside curve of your hull.

Like all tempered steel edges, be very careful not to over heat the blade while grinding/shaping or
sharpening. If you get it too hot it will lose it's temper (not get angry, I hear you wise crackers out there)
and will not hold an edge. To prevent this dip the blade in water frequently to cool it.

I like a scraper with a fairly heavy head and a long handle. The hand on the handle makes a long stroke,
like with a tennis backhand, and the other hand should rest on the scraper head, pushing down.

The angle of the handle makes a BIG difference in cutting. Raising the handle high will make a deep cut.
A low angle will scrape off less. If you have problems with chatter, hold the handle low and angle the blade
edge through the stroke as you would with a plane or chisel cut. A fast stroke will cut more smoothly than a slow stroke.

I sharpen my scrapers on a small belt sander with an 80 grit.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com