[Callynne]

I definitely am a 'sander'. One thing I like a lot is the Swiss Sanding Cloth. I will roll a small piece into a 'cone' shape to get into hard to reach places, fold it in half to 'draw' back and forth (like drying your back with a towel) in between legs or the inside of arms, etc. It's really a handy sandpaper to use.

Another thing I use is the self adhesive sandpaper. Works great to cut a small piece of it, fold it around a dental pick, toothpick, whatever, to get into tight places.

Yes, I'm a sander and proud of it! Deborah

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I sand all my carvings!!! I use a Sand-O-Flex wheel with 380 grit paper. This only takes off the sharp edge of the chip but leaves the chip itself. As you can actually stick your finger into the flaps as they rotate at high speed how much you want to sand off is completely up to you. I even protect areas from sanding with my fingers as I sand around them, i.e., I keep my thum on the nose as I sand the face and only at the last moment do I expose the nose to the paper.

Most importantly, taking off that sharp edge keeps your carving from getting dirty over time.

[AlArchie]

I keep a supply of those emery boards that are used for fingernails, and they make excellent "sanders" for small details. You can cut them to fine points or strips or other shapes with tin snips, or scissors, if you have a pair of cheap scissors you don't mind screwing up. As a bonus, they have two grits, one on each side.....both are fine, but one is REALLY fine.

Al

[Mottles]

Originally Posted by Donna_T

Oh, yes, I forgot. SOmetimes you can just rub the carving briskly with a crumpled up brown paper bag and that eliminates the fuzzies and gives an awesome patina to the wood.

Although I like to do that after I've painted the carving--and use it to add luster to the carving rather than a sprayed on finish.

Donna T

Donna cool tip thanks!
Kathy

[Kenny_S]

To sand or not to sand, that is the question!

Personally, I do whatever. Sand sometimes, sometimes I don't sand.
Mostly it is wadded up brown paper sack like Donna T said. It can defuse a really shiny carvering and put a luster on a duller carving.

Do whatever works for you!!!! That is the answer!!

[Donna_T]

We've talked about lots of different ways to sand or not sand. I think what's important is what works for each individual carver. At one time or another, a carver needs to try just about everything before deciding just which technique works best in which situation. Don't take someone else's word for it--just try it and evaluate the process on your carving. It varies by wood, painting technique, type of carving, etc. And sad to say, what works on one, may not work on another. Experience is the best teacher. And as we've learned, sometimes the mistakes are the best way to learn.

I've not tried everything, yet, but I hope to learn more from other carvers and keep from making too many mistakes. And I learn something new just about every time I log in here.

Donna T

[Thomp]

Maybe im wrong but,

I never have thought there was only one way to remove the chips or sawdust from a chunk of wood to release the item your trying to get out of there,

although i got 2 uncles that would fight each other tooth and nail over this subject..

one a pureist, knive blades only. and he dose produce some fine looking smooth carvings,
while the elder uncle uses anymeans necessary and produces the same in lot less time.

i decided for myself its all the astetics of what you want. whether you hack at something with an axe, chainsaw, power carver, fine chizzles and sandpaper, if your satisfied do it.

I resort to a knife and push chizzles, most times, as the learning curve using all the other tools keeps me from carving while i experiance runaway burs or lack of control of some razor sharp piece of steel flying at 3,000 rpms, oh got to consider the healing time and cost of bandaids as well........

so... if i cant get the shape of a kneecap or elbow with a blade, ill sure as heck use a strip of fine emery to get rid of the offending bump or divit if i can. i think its only logical... especally if im running out of wood in that place.

but if your sadisfying someone else like commisions.. do it their way..