A power scraper can help you remove tiles and scrape off old glue or debris. If you have one of these tools, you may occasionally need to replace the blade. Wondering if your scraper needs a new blade? Here's what you need to consider:

1. The Blade Has Visible Damage

Ideally, before using a power scraper or any other scraping tool, you should examine the equipment to see how it looks. You should look for potentially dangerous issues such as frayed cords or missing safety guards. Additionally, you should look at the blade itself. If you see dents, divots or any other signs of damage, you may need a new blade.

2. The Scraper Blade Isn't Making Full Contact With the Surface

When you apply your power scraper to the surface you are scraping, the blade turns or moves straight forward depending on your model of scraper. Watch how it engages with the surface. If only some of the blade is hitting the surface, that means that the blade may be worn down and need replacing.

3. The Scraper Isn't Having the Desired Effect

In some cases, you may not be able to see the blade because the scraper is working too quickly. In this case, you want to monitor the effect of the blade. Run the power scraper over a certain area, and then look at it. If you are seeing lots of debris or bits that the scraper should have removed, that's another sign you need a new blade.  

4. Your Existing Blade Isn't Doing the Job You Need In some cases, the existing blade on your power scraper may be fine. However, it may not be set up to do the job you need. For instance, if you have an indexable insert type blade, that can usually protrude a range of different lengths to create a variety of effects. However, if your current blade can't achieve the length you want for your next project, that's a sign that you may want to opt for a longer scraper blade.

In other cases, if you need to scrape around a dovetail or get into a hard to reach area, you may want to get a tool holder extension to replace your existing scraper blade.

To learn more, consult your owners manual, or find an industrial or manufacturing company that sells scrapers. They can point you in the right direction.