Sanding Rounded Edges

I'm interested if anybody has any suggestions for building a piece of equipment to sand routed rounded edges on irregularly shaped pieces of timber.

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Originally Posted by bystander

I'm interested if anybody has any suggestions for building a piece of equipment to sand routed rounded edges on irregularly shaped pieces of timber.

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Are the edges, "innies" or "outies"?

Perhaps some pictures to give us an idea of how irregular and how rounded the edges are?

Get a big lump of BluTac, heat it up and mould it to the profiled edge, either innie or outie, and let it harden. I used to freeze my blob in the fridge, but nowadays I'm too impatient. Then mould the abrasive paper into the shape (without heating the BluTac and melting it again). It works well on most profiles but I find that sharp edges are really hard to keep sharp - so I sometimes use multiple passes or multiple blobs to do teh one profile.

I think in FWW they suggested using Plaster of Paris or some-such moulding compound to form the reciprocal profile and doing much like what I do.

The hard part: not accidentally sanding the faces adjacent to the profile edge.

BTW my method only seems to work well on fairly large, generous mouldings, because I find it hard preventing the paper from cracking or creasing in small stuff.

Please show us the profile.

Finger for innies, palm for outies.

Recently had some molding with a 3/8 radius cove. Finger got a bit tired, so I cut a bit of 3/4 dowel and wrapped the paper on it. Worked a treat. Then used an offcut of the molding to sand the 3/8 radius roundover on the top.

But usually finger and palm, or a bit of rag.

Tex

Have a look at these for "outies", I have one and run it diagaonally along the grain for curved surfaces, works well :

http://www.piricdesign.com.au/Pages/...s_page-01.html


Justin.

Thanks for those suggestions. My edges are both innies and outies on the one piece and the profile is different on each piece. My fingers and palms are worn outies. I'm working on a mechanical solution and will keep you advised.
Any further suggestions greatly appreciated.

:2tsup: :2tsup:

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Originally Posted by bystander

Thanks for those suggestions. My edges are both innies and outies on the one piece and the profile is different on each piece. My fingers and palms are worn outies. I'm working on a mechanical solution and will keep you advised.
Any further suggestions greatly appreciated.

:2tsup: :2tsup:

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Would still like to see pictures of typical edges if possible. For worn out fingers and plams, half chamois wicket keeping gloves are very comfy.

I have the "wood Sanding Book" that I borrowed from the library. It descbibes a method that knurl touched on.

Put masking tape over a piece of your profile and then, in multiple passes, cover it with expanding foam.

Once it ihas set carefully add sandpaper with double sided tape.

I use upholsterers foam it easily forms the shape your sanding and applies an even pressure. Hint break the back of the sandpaper over the edge of your table.

Piric's blowfly sander in the drill press (or a flap sander) is great for rounded and irregular edges. Have a look at the video.

If its a profiled edge with sharp features you will need to do it by hand with a moulded sanding block.

Thanks Bob.

I've looked at Pirics blowfly sander and the rotary sanders you can buy but I like a challenge.
I'm working on one similar but am making the sanding sheet angled rather than vertical, since I feel this may sand over the top of my piece then fold down the sides.

I might have misled you all when I said innies and outies. As first mentioned the part I wish to sand is just a rounded edge but it does not run in a straight line its bends both ways so there are inner and outer corners.