has anyone used one of these?

They built this new Rockler wood work/hardware store here in Mesquite, and I finally checked it out today. I was looking for Maple and some other tools I could use to carve some props, and I saw these. They look like they would be good for quick shaping of balsa blocks, and any other type of wood. The only way I can describe it is sort of like a rasp, but instead of little points it has little microplanes cut into a thin stainless blade. I'm going to go back probably this weekend and buy one to try it, just wondering if anyone has beat me to it. They also have some other tools I've never seen before that looked useful.

http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=2206&sid=AF998

I have one similar to that, a bit too aggressive for Balsa. IMHO coarse grit sandpaper will give better results on Balsa block. But it is very good for shaping hard woods like motor mounts or props.
Chris

>They built this new Rockler wood work/hardware store here in
>Mesquite, and I finally checked it out today. I was looking
>for Maple and some other tools I could use to carve some
>props, and I saw these. They look like they would be good
>for quick shaping of balsa blocks, and any other type of
>wood. The only way I can describe it is sort of like a
>rasp, but instead of little points it has little microplanes
>cut into a thin stainless blade. I'm going to go back
>probably this weekend and buy one to try it, just wondering
>if anyone has beat me to it. They also have some other
>tools I've never seen before that looked useful.

Sounds similar to the Stanley "Surform" tools. They work like gangbusters for frehand carving of hardwood. They just sort of tear balsa, which is OK for *very* rough carving.

I hve looked at these, but not bought them 'cause they're a bit pricey. They are far better made than the Stanley sureform stuff.

I eagerly await results!!!

BTW, I got my razor plane from Hobby Lobby today, and the catalog is wrong. You get 10 replacement blades, not 5 in a pack!

There called cheese graters. You can get them at a body shop supply store. English color in the Dallas area.

no, these apppear to be far superior to the sureform cheese graters, and they have them in fine medium and coarse. it looks like a bunch of little 1/8" razor planes machined directly into a thin piece of hardened stainless steel. looks like you'd get a far superior finish to a rasp or a sureform file. This ain't for roughin' out bondo on the volkswagon.

I am glad to hear they are good for hardwoods, they looked too delicate for that type of work on maple, that's why I thought about using them to shape balsa blocks, that makes me want one even more, because sanders work fine for balsa. I'm really wanting some "odd" size props, so I've been doing lots of reading on making my own, I'm just trying to figure out something good for quickly shaping the props. Check out these tools for measuring and such. http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_group.cfm?&catid=54&objectgroup_id=423&segment_id=4

They are a high zoot surform, which is practically useless in hardwood. These may work, but I don't know for how long. Would probably last a while with ply and less dense woods like pine, poplar, bass and such, but for shaping props, I don't know.

I would definitely like to know what you think about them.

If they don't stay sharp long, consider a high quality rasp like a Nickelson #50 pattern makers rasp. Expensive for sure, but doesn't have replaceable teeth because you won't wear it out in a lifetime. Even works well in balsa.

Tools

Thanks for the tip on the nickelson #50, I'll look for one.

I'm going to at least get the small microplane to try out, but they were out the other day while I was there, I'm going to check again this weekend. Once I get it, I'll fire up the digital camera and put it to some balsa blocks and some maple and do a review with pics.
There are also round drum types that can be chucked in a drill.

I also want one of those rulers for marking, but they were a little pricey.