hangtimeblog.com

Actually a file with quick-cutting, individually shaped teeth, a rasp is a good choice for trimming end grain, for rounding corners and edges, and for waste removal on wood, nonferrous metal, and plastic hanging garment bag. The half-round style is the most versatile.

Rasps cut only on the push stroke. Match stroke pressure to hardness of material being worked: light for wood and plastic, heavier for metal. Because the high teeth leave a roughened surface, use rasps where appearance isn’t critical. Or smooth surface with a double-cut file and an abrasive paper (p. 50). Never try to cut metal harder than the rasp’s metal.

Somewhat resembling cheese graters, these vari­ously shaped tools have open, edge-sharpened teeth. Shavings pass through the teeth without clogging them. Surforms can quickly shape or trim wood, soft metal, and plastic.

The most common frame shape, with handles front and rear, mimics the shape of a small bench plane. The frame may be steel or plastic. The blade hooks onto the back of the frame, and a screw secures it at the front. Although you cannot resharpen Surform blades, they are cheap and easy to replace.