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A rasp is a tool used for shaping wood or other material. It consists of a point or the tip, then a long steel bar or the belly, then the heel or bottom, then the tang. The tang is joined to a handle, usually made of plastic or wood. The bar has had sharp teeth cut into it. Rasps generally cut more coarsely than files.

Contents 1 Uses 1.1 In woodworking 1.2 In farriery 1.3 In stonework 2 See also 3 External links

[edit] Uses

[edit] In woodworking

In woodworking, rasps are used for rapidly removing wood from curved surfaces. They remove less wood than a drawknife, so they are easier to control. Even though rasps leave very coarse finishes, the cut-away areas can be easily smoothed with finer tools, such as files.

There are several types and shapes of rasps. There is a half round, round and flat. The several types of rasps are bastard, cabinet and wood (finest to coarsest). All these varieties can be used to make different shapes.

[edit] In farriery

In farriery, rasps are used to remove excess hoof wall from a horse's hoof.

[edit] In stonework

Rasps can also be used in shaping alabaster stone. In fact, a rasp is the only tool that is prominently used to shape alabaster. Saws and chisels are also used, but only to rough out the shape of the alabaster sculpture.

[edit] See also

• Surform

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Files and rasps