Sometimes the only way to carry out a process is to make your own tools. When making the hooped seat backs for the ‘Alice Chair’, I need to create a reference point within the structure so that when shaping the interior face I know when to stop. I achieve this by using a scratch stock .
A scratch stock is a very simple piece of kit used to create very fine decorative details near to or on an edge. The details are literally scratched in with a sharp, profiled bit of metal held in place a set distance from the edge in a handle. The problem I have is that the edge surface I run my scratch stock on is both curved in plan shape and profile.
Having tried and failed to use a standard scratch stock, I have now made my own custom ones to do the job. Like so many tools in cabinet making it is very simple, yet when used with skill is highly effective.
