Rasps & Files

Rasps

Rasps are a timber shaping tool that is similar in concept and usage to a file. The construction of a rasp features a wooden handle with a protruding “blade”. Modern rasps feature machine made teeth that are pushed upwards from the metal of the blade. Traditional rasps would have been made by hand, with each tooth being carefully punched upwards out of the metal body with a metal punch. Rasps come in varying degrees of aggressiveness, with a range of fine to coarse teeth. Aggressive rasps are perfect for the quick removal of material and fast shaping of wood. Finer rasps can be used to refine the shape of an item and smooth out any imperfections. When pushed across the surface of timber, the teeth hook and cut the fibres, removing them in an action similar to sanding. They are very effective tools for shaping irregular components in a workshop, though they don't see much use in site carpentry. Due to way in which they remove material, the finish left behind can often be rough, requiring sanding or scraping to take place before the final finish can be applied.

Files

Files are a form of shaping tool that come in many varieties for use with different materials. Typically, files are used to shape metal, though some can be used to shape plastic and timber. The teeth on files are much finer than those of rasps and are mostly used to leave a smooth finished surface on workpieces. They come in an array of different shapes for flexibility in their application, from flat, to rounded, to completely circular. Triangular shaped files are used to sharpen traditional panel saws and still see use in bespoke workshop environments. Metal files see use in construction in many different smaller applications, and keeping a set at hand can always help in a pinch. 

Surforms

Surforms are a type of material removal tool that are almost a cross between a hand plane and a file/rasp. The body of the surform is similar in shape to a hand plane, with a flat sole and front and rear tote for holding. The sole of the tool features a stamped sheet metal cutting surface, similar in design to a rasp. The holes are punched at a downwards angle, leaving many sharp cutting edges. The sole is moved across the surface of a workpiece and the cutting teeth remove the desired material. Due to the clearance holes, the dust from the process is easily moved away from the working surface. Woodworking surforms can be used as an aggressive type of rasp for quick but rough material removal. The benefit of this in contrast to using a hand plane is that the direction of the grain doesn't matter when using a surform. Other smaller types of surform can be purchased that are intended for use with shaping plasterboard. These tools are cheap and can be used to great effect to straighten the cut edges of boards, as well as refine the shape of custom curves and angles.