Sanding out saw marks in a circular top with a Rotex

[dalejw]

Love circles?
Don't mind cutting them out on a bandsaw?
Hate trying to sand the saw marks out of the edges without creating flat spots?

https://vimeo.com/141850425

[Lplates]

I've done something similar but not happy with the results, I still see scratch marks because of the rotary action of the sander not matching the grain of the wood which changes as you go around. I guess it comes down to how smooth is smooth enough.

Also is you are working on smaller circles then the speed they will spin can become an issue also. Not to mention the accuracy of the circle if it's just cut on a standard circle jig on the bandsaw which has some flex.

But hey if it's working for you then it beats sanding freehand.

[Chief Tiff]

I'd rather use my compass plane or a finely set spokeshave.

[mark david]

Hi Dale, If you have a router it's easier to cut them out that way,its very accurate and the need to sand the edges is minimal.
I have a small router permanently screwed to a piece of mdf and can just screw a length of timber to it to cut any diameter required.

[dalejw]

This was a little bit tongue in cheek this thread. It works ok for the coarser grits but still needs a bit of motivation when things get finer. This top has a large radius curve on the edge after the saw marks have been sanded out. I went down to 800 using the interface pad on the rotex 150 going through the grits and it's come up pretty well.

Maybe it's just me but I've always wound up with burn marks cutting circles in thick tops with a router which are a pain to sand out. I've started using the bandsaw because it's quicker when there's a few to do.