Thread: Sanding dowel

I'm guessing you don't have a linisher if you're asking this question...

The next easiest would be if you have a belt-sander - just flip it upside down and use it much the same as you would a a linisher.

Beyond that it's all going take a bit of work. One option would be to use a pencil-sharpener to take the edge off, then hand-sanding or a few passes with a file.

Sand them in a drill press on low speed

I think a quick lesson in sanding would be a good precursor to the main project for the little tackers

I mean they aren't going to prosecute you for a splinter........are they?

Are they?

Originally Posted by elraco.com.au

I think a quick lesson in sanding would be a good precursor to the main project for the little tackers

+1 and they'll love it!

i thought it was only queensland teachers who are paranoid of litigation,let em sand the things themselves,they have to learn skills sometime,whats a splinter or two.i know what its like though ,the favourite saying by staff at my school was (i,m not doing my super over that)they are too scared to f..rt in case they get sued. damn shame , cause the kids grow up pussies.bob

As an alternative you could try one of these http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/ind...cPath=90_19157

The last time I had a heap to do I just used a cordless drill to spin them on some 60grit and 120grit which was glued down on some scrap board.
Bah... that wont work will it with 22mm dowel!
Got a woodlathe?
Possibly could make some thing to hold the dowel and chuck into a drill? Perhaps a mini screw chuck?

Am I the only one who uses the grinder? Hold at 45 degrees and twist the fingers - done!

Thanks for the help guys. Would get the little ones to sand themselves but dont have a lot of time. The wife didnt give me a lot of notice to get this done.
I guess the belt sander upside down is probably the way to go...or the grinder.

Thanks

Rob

Sorry for not mentioning this before. While I find the grinder much easier and quicker than the sander, because the piece is held on the rest, the grinder generally burnishes the chamfer. It might be something to consider from an aesthetic point of view.

I did this recently by chucking the dowels in the drill press and filing the corner off. Got quite quick at it by the end.

The grinder or linisher approach is probably easier though.

Err . . . wot bout a BIG pencil sharpener?

This is not as silly as it sounds - wacka bit o something in a lathe. Take out a 1" diameter cone shape in the centre of the piece and line/glue some velcro inside the cone. Cut out some shapes of sand paper to fit - insert into cone and away you go.

Could also make one for the DP using metal.

I just finished a similar project for my daughter.

I made her hold an angle grinder with a coarse #50 grit sanding pad while I shaped the ends of the dowels.

Then I smothed them over on a Wasp belt on the bench drill. #120 grit did a pretty good job.

I did give them a quick rub with one of those foam sanding pads which left them very smooth.

A therapeutic job.
She tells me the kids love them.

Originally Posted by BobL

Err . . . wot bout a BIG pencil sharpener?

This is not as silly as it sounds - wacka bit o something in a lathe. Take out a 1" diameter cone shape in the centre of the piece and line/glue some velcro inside the cone. Cut out some shapes of sand paper to fit - insert into cone and away you go.

Could also make one for the DP using metal.

You scare me Bob... I had thought of that too before finding out the grinder. What is it in our DNA or upbringing that gives us this wicked satisfaction in making tools? Are we throwbacks to Homo Faber? We should measure the thickness of our frontal bones...