Removing Varnish

[taylorcraft078]

Any suggestions on how to take the old varnish off of the spars? Some of the current stuff is solid, some is cracking off, and some is rubbery from gas exposure. Chemical? Sand? Scrape?

I am going to put on epoxy varnish when I am done.

Dave
N36078

[Robert Lees]

Sorry to be so long in replying, Dave.

You need a Scarston Scraper, do a search on Google.

Rob

[taylorcraft078]

Robert,
Did you spell that right? Scarston Scraper gave me no hits on google. Is this a handled scraper of some sorts?
Dave

[Tcraft Classics]

It's Skarsten. If I'm not mistaken, it's a brand name. The Scraper is a braod bladed type that sit somewhat 90 degrees to the handle. This type of scraper is less like to dig into or remove any of the wood.

[Robert Lees]

Chris is right with the spelling, I will post photos tonight.

Photo at http://www.taylorcraft.org.uk/skarsten.jpg [56kB]

[edited to show link to photo of Skarsten Scraper. These cost peanuts, if you can get them. I paid about USD 4.90 for the 35mm wide scraper and USD3.65 for a set of blades.

Email me off-list if you wish to know where I got mine from; I am coming to Oshkosh (and also maybe Alliance) so let me know if I can bring you one.]

[taylorcraft078]

Robert,
Thanks for the picture. We have those here under a different name. I grabbed out an antique Stanley scraper but it is a little too aggressive. I have a pile of antique user tools from a different hobby. There was a while when I could not use power tools due to carpal tunnel.
Dave