From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
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Marbling combs and rakes serve the same purpose--you drag them through the floating paints to create patterns. A rake generally has widely spaced teeth. A comb has teeth spaced closer together.

Rakes and combs can be constructed with segments of yardsticks and other pieces of wood.

Make a Marbling Rake

Rakes are used to manipulate paints in both directions in the tray.

Cut a 1/2" x 2" wood strip slightly shorter than the longest side of your tray. Draw a lengthwise line down the center of the widest side. Drill or punch small holes at 2" intervals down the line. Insert a long, thin nail in each hole. If nails are loose, secure them with a glue gun or waterproof glue.

Starter Comb

Paints can be combed in both directions, but start with a comb that fits the short width of your tray.

Cut wood about the length of the tray's short side and draw a lengthwise line down its center. Starting inward about 1/2", mark 1/4" intervals along the line, and drill or punch holes. Insert sturdy T-head straight pins into the wood at each mark.

Teeth should fit fairly snugly into the width of your tray. Paints and size tend to flow around too-short combs and distort patterns.

An easy alternative is to use a glue gun to glue t-pins along the marked lines of a yardstick. Glue on a second strip to cover the pin tops.

Freehand Marbling

Knitting needles make excellent freehand tools.

Commercial Rakes

Try Talas for professional rakes and marbling trays in sizes to match them.