Diy sanding tools for model making

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whodathunkit
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Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

Hi every one.. Hope you all Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you are into making wooden models of all types ..
whether it be a scratch built model , or a wooden kit car model to Pinewood Derby cars , even small wood projects around the house.
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The one tool you'll need most is a detail sanding tool of some sort to give shape your modeling projects with.
Most might use the sanding stick tools that can be found and purchased on the web on in hobby stores.
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Top to bottom. small sticks 1/4 x 6 3/8, belts med size 12 x 8 belts, large 3/4 x 10 belts.

As you can see in the image above there's all types of sanding tools that can be purchased for your detailing needs.
Some of my fav's are the sanding stick types seen however these sanding tools can get a little costly .
But there are way's of making your own sanding tools as well..
just look around in your shop for some small discarded wood scraps.. dowel rods, popsicle sticks, spay glue's, sand papers are a good and cheep way of making your own.

Been how Christmas is all most hear and I'm in a giving mood.. Id like to share with you all some ideas on how you can make your own detail sanders.
( plus they make for grate gifts to give to your modeling friends !)
If you have some rolled goods sand papers such as emery cloth.. or even the flat good sheet type papers will work.
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I will be sharing how I like to make flat handled detail sanders that will last a life time .. and the sanding papers can be changed out on the tool.
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No this is not forged in fire ..
however I will be using an assembly type .. like that of a knife for the sanding tool handle.
Here's what you'll need.. 1/8 x 1 aluminum flat strap, 3/8 x 1 wood of your type for the handle, and some 5/16x 1 binding bolts.
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Shape and cut out two matching handles to your liking.
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Next mark out where you would like the binding bolts to pass thew the handle.
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Put your bolts threw the handle and fasten them down.
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From here you will want gloves on .. to shape the aluminum to the handle on the belt sander.
( aluminum will transfer heat fast while sanding and burn your hands ! )
After shaping the handle sand the edges smooth, you can leave it natural or stain it.
For inserting the sand paper ..
It will be wrapped around the aluminum and held on in between the two handle half's.. making it two sided with the sand paper.
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Stand the tool up right and push down on the sand paper and tighten down binding screws that's it .. your sanding tool is ready to use!
Plus you can make them in various widths , lengths , and sizes for your needs.
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Sanding block ideas :
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Is to use a wood block you can bevel one end or just round it over..
on the clamping end drill a hole the same size as your dowel pen and then cut half off so you have a c type shape on the end.
Then find a small bolt with some type of nut to use.. dill a hole centered in the clamping end of the block and epoxy it in and use a dowl rod with a hole threw it for the clamp.
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Sanding stick ideas seen at very bottom of image:
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Is to cut a bevel out on a square stick and round over the end.. the cut off a small part on the rounded end.
I like using the small springs out of ink pens and some small dowel rods or a nail with the head cut off for making the sanding belt tensioner.
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Get out in your shop and make something cool and fun for someone this Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year every one!
Last edited by whodathunkit on Fri Mar 24, 2023 7:18 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Eagle
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by Eagle »

Once again - love the attention to detail.
I have found myself gluing sand paper to all kinds of things to get in to certain areas.

My two most common go to's are paint sticks and wrapping around PVC pipe.
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

Eagle wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 8:21 pm I have found myself gluing sand paper to all kinds of things to get in to certain areas.
My two most common go to's are paint sticks and wrapping around PVC pipe.
Nothing wrong with that Eagle. . I like your PVC pipe idea .
PVC pipe sanders that use the inside of PVC pipe
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/ ... ing-tools/
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by Eagle »

Cannot say that I have ever used the inside, but I'm sure it would be helpful in the right application.
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by murphken »

Awesome. Love the look of those tractor trailers!
SHINING LIGHT Pinewood Derby & Audio
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whodathunkit
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

murphken wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:45 pm Awesome. Love the look of those tractor trailers!
Thank's Murphken!
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

Do you wish there was a better way of holding your sand papers while polishing your axles or sanding the axle head.
Most of the time I fold the paper in half.. or I will even wrap it around a popsicle stick.. to smooth the axle head with.

Doing the scroll saw artwork I do from time to time I to get into some tight areas that need a little clean up work of detail sanding .
Like for instance cleaning up the scroll saw fretwork design seen in one of my cars.
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I ran across these handy little sand paper holders.. thinking that the square one would be easier on my hands and fingers while doing axle prep.
https://www.olsonsaw.net/shop/sanding-t ... or-square/
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by gpraceman »

whodathunkit wrote: Sat Feb 18, 2023 9:06 pm I ran across these handy little sand paper holders.. thinking that the square one would be easier on my hands and fingers while doing axle prep.
https://www.olsonsaw.net/shop/sanding-t ... or-square/
Looks interesting. Let us know how well they work.
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

gpraceman wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:21 am Looks interesting. Let us know how well they work.
I ordered 2 sets of each.. and will let you know if they work out.
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by gpraceman »

whodathunkit wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 7:11 pm I ordered 2 sets of each.. and will let you know if they work out.
Shipping is rather high with that company. I do notice that AliExpress has these. I also see several sellers on Amazon (search on "manual sandpaper stick").

If they work out well, I can see these working for a new hobby that I might jump into, watch repair and restoration. Some watch cases need some sanding and polishing to get them looking good.
Randy Lisano
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Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

Well the Foredom sanding sticks came in today.
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The sand paper raps around and tucks in the handle when closed.
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On the square one the sandpaper slides up and down the stick could have been a tighter fit.. for the round one the paper fits good and tight.
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end view:
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For sanding axles:( I'm testing with dry paper only!)
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Might just work out with the right papers and steps.. having the long handle on the sanding stick is nice like working with a metal file to debur the axle head .
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by gpraceman »

Try wrapping a layer of electrical tape on the square one to get a better hold. Maybe a strip laid lengthwise, instead of wrapped.
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

gpraceman wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 7:24 pm Try wrapping a layer of electrical tape on the square one to get a better hold. Maybe a strip laid lengthwise, instead of wrapped.
Randy I knew you would chime in with an idea for a fix to tighten the paper up on the tool .

I ended up wrapping the square handle with some duct tape .. however was thinking of some small o rings on the handle shaft in a few spots as well.
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The paper holds a hole lot better now.
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by whodathunkit »

Here's some ideas on using clothes pins in small and large sizes:
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Cut your sand paper to the width of the pens, separate them, then fold the paper over the pen and use the spring to lock the paper in.
So it will look a little some like this:
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Using the cloth pens turned around you can make a flap or groove type sander.
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Plus a small wood clamp for gluing used in this fashion.
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more clamp idea's:
https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworkin ... pin-clamps
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Re: Diy sanding tools for model making

Post by Loud2ns »

That's a great looking car body you got there!

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