Scraper Discussion Thread: What's a Complete Set?

[oldschoolcraft]

I'm looking to upgrade my scraper game. I have never used or needed a scraper for automotive work, but may be dumping my transmission pan and will want to scrape the old gasket off. Made me think, scrapers are pretty basic of a tool, let's discuss what makes a full set for various things. Seems like something relatively easy to max out on for low cost and toolbox space.

I picked up a Mayhew Dominator Scraper set a while back. Anything Mayhew USA Made I am in. I goy mine a few years ago so the handles are different, but the same ones. 1/2", 3/4", 1", and 1.5" straight, with metal caps for hammering. So far I've only used one to scrape adhesive residue off concrete flooring of a house.




I also picked up a Lisle scraper, before it came to my attention that Lisle has began outsourcing most of their production to China. Nowadays, I do more research and am reluctant to buy anything from Lisle. I have not used it, but I was on a Lisle kick for a while buying anything and everything that seemed eventually useful until I started paying attention to country of origin.



I have not bought one of these next ones. I'm not sure if the Lisle scraper will do all of the same tasks, but this style of scraper seems very popular. I'll probably get one because it's under $10 and smaller than the Lisle one and retracts the blade. So if I'm doing mobile work, this might be better than the Lisle:



Then there's this Lisle Carbide scraper that seems popular. And the tool trucks have a near identical one. Unsure if Lisle OEMs it for them. Unsure if Lisle makes it in China. Not sure if I need both this and the Mayhew Dominators. This is carbide, which is stronger than regular steel. Maybe I use the dominator ones on aluminum, which is a softer metal, and I use the carbide ones on steel, since maybe you want to go harder the object you're scraping, but not too much harder to avoid damaging it?





Then we have plastic scrapers. Morgan's Maintenance Youtube channel discussed these recently. Personally, any kind of plastic scraping I do with old hotel key cards, which are just plastic credit cards. And the card is enough handle for me, and I scrap on the edge and sometimes I use precision scissors to cut groove or notches to shape it to fit into a corner.



On the subject of plastic scrapers, when I searched Snap On site for scrapers, I came across a $20 "Super Scraper" which appears identical to this one on Amazon for half the price:




I also have these for the car. Doesnt snow here, but I've lived in snowy places and used these. I keep them and bring them with me if I am getting a rental car in the winter where it snows. They are brass, I'm guessing they could be used outside of scraping ice off a windshield:



I also have a stainless steel putty knife:



And some dry wall knives of 4" and 6" widths which so far haven't been used out of drywall, but they are scrapers.


Is this a complete set of scrapers? If I get the ones I'm missing from this list, will I be a master scraper? Did I miss anything?

Do I need to also get the angled Mayhew Dominator set?

Is the Lisle carbide scrapers good or a better one, if they are made in China?

Any scraper tips and tricks on applications and uses?

 

[Wamsutta]

For straight razor scrapers, the Carlyle 772951 - Look no further. 10/10

 

[Wamsutta]

UNGER Window Scraper

 

[Wamsutta]

The Super Scraper!

 

[Shoreline_]

I don't know if there is such thing as a complete set. When I first started off as a teenager I would just use a 1" or so wood handle stiff putty knife that I sharpened. Then I would add more as the situation arised. I still have the wood handle scraper. One thing I noticed is many mechanics don't know how to scrap gaskets properly. It's pretty basic so my mind is usually

 

[Firebrick43]

Forgot the ultimate scraper.


Sandvik coromant

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

I regularly find myself scraping and honestly, no single scraper will do all jobs. It really depends upon what you're trying to remove and how hard the surface is that you're trying to remove it from. That said, my bases are covered with:

• Razor blade scraper. I too have the Carlyle one above. 10/10
• Carbide scrapers. I have the Lisle ones. Bought them from NAPA branded as Carlyle. Also a 10/10.
• Plastic razor blade scrapers. Have two sets of the Foshio ones shown above. Enough blades for a lifetime. 12/10.

So far, I have not found anything that cannot be removed with the above once you add some heat, WD40, or 3M Adhesive Remover.

 

[Steve_P]

I have the Mayhew Dominator scrapers, and they're more suited to light chisel type tasks than careful scraping IMO- they're just too heavy and imbalanced. I also have some of the Lang. After buying all of those, carbide scrapers became really popular, and I caved and bought the Astro 9532 and the small Lisle 81960 carbide scrapers; they're all I use for typical automotive engine parts scraper duties now; they're just SO much better than anything else. Of course, I also have a couple of razor scrapers, the Lisle 52000 and also a few by Titan. I almost never use the Lisle as I just never need that much reach.
That Carlyle razor scraper looks nice!

 

[Nutria]

Looks like a good collection that covers most of what we encounter. Although obviously not scrapers, these are often the ticket for the last cleanup in the gasket removal process (with care and not for aluminum):

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40064822/

 

[charbar]

That's far more scrapers than I own and I've been turning wrenches professionally all my life

I have a pile of the stubby razor scrapers, a long handled razor scraper, a Lisle carbide one, a 'putty knife' style one and if I need a plastic scraper I have a wide panel popper tool that works for that.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

That's far more scrapers than I own and I've been turning wrenches professionally all my life

I have a pile of the stubby razor scrapers, a long handled razor scraper, a Lisle carbide one, a 'putty knife' style one and if I need a plastic scraper I have a wide panel popper tool that works for that.

You are a professional mechanic and you dont have a full dedicated scraper drawer? And people trust you working on their cars???

From now on, anytime I take my car to a shop, I will demand to inspect the mechanics scraper draw for completeness. I'll also bring a bevel gauge.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I have the Mayhew Dominator scrapers, and they're more suited to light chisel type tasks than careful scraping IMO- they're just too heavy and imbalanced.

That's what I've noticed. I'm thinking of repurposing a few to use to chisel lock latch plates into doors. Think they'll work for that?

 

[chevy.stroker]

Wilde has a pull scraper that saves busted knuckles.

Scrapers | Wilde Tool

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