Richard Raffan making a handle for a tanged scraper

You see how I make a tool handle for a ½-in scraper with a spiky tang. You see how to fit a ferrule and how to measure diameters using both balloon and Vernier calipers.

[@davidanderson5767]

If it gets caught you don't want to be attached to the other end. Love the choice of words.

[@johnnyb95678]

I cannot thank you enough for having you share all of your experience and expertise. I have learned so much from your videos. Your willingness to share is awesome. I always seem to pick up something from every one I watch. Thank you!

[@theojo65]

Thank you Richard for sharing with us

[@jorisdemoel3821]

Many excellent tips and gems of wisdom. 'Stop when you smell burning.' You will know a craftsman by his tools. And nice colourful sock at the end there. My thanks again!

[@jackthompson5092]

Thanks for the lesson Richard.

[@WhoGnu08]

Great timing on another wonderful tutorial. I recently followed your kind recommendation and bought a D-Way Thin Parting Tool, unhandled. And here's your video on how to make a handle. Thank you!

[@metodemersic]

Thank you Richard. I really appreciate all your work. And these videos together with your books in the best source to really learn turning and gain years of experience. Well, I still need to do all the work, but I know which is the right direction.

[@MarklTucson]

I always learn something from these videos. It was quite interesting to see how you attached this in the lathe; very efficient approach.

[@glencrandall7051]

Excellent timing Richard as I just now need to turn about three more handles myself. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and remember, as the wood goes around, the face shield comes down.🙂🙂

[@racheldray1057]

Thank you for this. My first lathe is on its way and I'm very excited. Your beginner lessons have been watched over and over again.

[@bradbyers7505]

I like the way you demonstrated process and product. I need to get busy and make three of these for myself. Thanks!

[@ianbedwell4871]

I always learn another tick, would never have thought of drilling it like that, thanks

[@alun7006]

Good stuff, Richard. I'm learning lots, and your videos have really encourwged me to work on skew technique. I was terrified of it before, but I'm using it by default on spindle work now! Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@kathdiyetoirinakshaghor]

Thank you Alhamdulillah many congratulations and best wishes welcome stay connected with us my friend.❤

[@davidanderson5767]

Thank you. Now I see how to deal with something similar. Much appreciated. Ready to attack highly figured maple for handle.

[@MASI_forging]

Nice work dude 😘😘

[@luvwud]

If you had drilled larger diameter first it wouldn't have snatched. Good tip on using the drill as a center. Thanks Geoff

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

If you drill the larger hole first, the smaller hole is often off-centre, which would worry a lot of people although not me. I prefer my tools slightly off the handle axis so they cannot roll far on the bench.

[@kenvasko2285]

I'm looking forward to the next video, "Using my new scraper with a homemade handle". Good job!
So just beeswax? Do you ever have to recondition your handles?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Nope! Regular use creates a patina.

[@josephpotterf9459]

The last one i made i forgot to drill out first . It did not turn out right so that handle is about four inches shorter than designed but works fine as is. Thanks

[@tricolorturners]

Got keyless:)? Leaving a hole in the tail is great if you ever need to remount. Same for the mallet when cleaning up after hard use. Thanks for the content!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I've two decades-old keyed chucks that work but are hardly used, Matt, so no point in investing in a keyless.

[@tricolorturners]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Just messing with you, Richard. Keyed is more than adequate and reliable. I just prefer keyless myself and I am a little lazy in that regard.

[@chrishumphreys3009]

Now we know where the missing socks go to…

[@angelaburt3266]

Ah!!! This is a great video for me. I want to turn a new handle for a small garden fork. I cut a piece of oak diagonally across the grain thinking that would be best. There is some wood worm in the piece but treated. Will that be ok?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Grain running the length of a handle makes for a stronger handle. I always cut away all evidence of woodworm in case there's still some activity. Apart from which I never see the point of using defective wood when there's so much good defect-free timber available.

[@angelaburt3266]

Thanks very much for the reply. I have another piece of Oak and will cut it along the grain..@@RichardRaffanwoodturning

[@angelaburt3266]

I did it. Just like you showed in the video. Worked a treat! Thanks.

[@milasiroky7576]

Hi Richard, I would like an answer to two questions: 1. how long should the optimal handle be and 2. what speed do you choose for such thin products. Thank you

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The rule-of-thumb for handle length is four to five times the length of the blade if the whole of the blade overhangs the rest. Traditionally spindle turning tools had short handles 150-200mm long because the cut was always close to the rest. Bowl gouges intended for hollowing 150mm deep bowls need a handle at least 600mm long. This handle is thin for a handle but not as a spindle. I rarely run the lather more than 2000rpm. Long thin spindles are easier to turn at lower rpm rather than higher when whip becomes a problem. This spindle (I think) was turned at about 2000rpm, but had it been three times the length I'd have had the lathe at around 800rpm.

[@milasiroky3301]

Many thanks😊

[@woodcraftguildact]

Would you like some socks for Christmas?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Always. With loose tops please.

[@jbrinkman8671]

Be careful of your sleeve getting caught please😳

[@reekiereekie7264]

Nice editing