sanding methods

[ve3rin]

I am trying to get some ideas on how to sand in difficult and small areas left by the carving knife and power tools.
I am in the midst of two project that will require me to do this sanding. It would be a darn shame to have done all of this work and ruin it by faulty sanding or not sanding properly with the proper tools and or technique.
Gary

[AlArchie]

Gary, there are small powered belt and reciprocating sanders available, but for the price you just can't beat those abrasive nail and cuticle files available at the drug store. They have two grits, one on each side of the board and can be cut to a fine point with just a scissors. I wouldn't recomend you using your wifes BESt scissors, though.

Or the file cut rifflers or diamond grit rifflers also work well for working in those small tight areas.

Al

[mark yundt]

I'm guessing you're trying to get into those pesky little odd shaped areas. If so,,check out woodworkers supply ,woodcrafters or lee valley supply. They have a good selection of preformed sanding blocks that allow you to get into small areas without altering the shape. These blocks come in diamond ,,round,,concave shapes in a variety of sizes that you wrap the paper around to give it some backing as you sand. They really are handy. I wouldn't know what to do without my set of about 12. You can buy an assortment of individual shapes or buy an entire set that includes all the shapes,,plus they're relatively cheap too and will last almost forever.

[Jim-Iowa]

I suspect ones imagination is the only limit? Several good ideas have been mentioned. Jewelers files might be an option? I have often thought one of the battery powered erasers draftsmen used (With Cad probably not so common now) with small sanding discs could be useful.
Jewelers use strings loaded with abrasives to sand and polish inside cuts in piercings.
In any event go slowly, the old addage is so true"It's a lot easier to take it off than put it back".

[ragiarn]

You might want to try the followign device- I have several with different grits.
see photo below
1/4" Sanding Stick
$3.00
(Includes One Medium Sanding Belt).


Sanding Supplies - Woodcarving Supplies from Quality Wood Carving Supply

Doc

[JIM QUILICI]

after I first started carving my wife and myself went to a flea market, I was was looking through the tools, when i seen a small box ( see through lid ) with a set of 20 bits (400 grit) that are used with a dremel. they have point ends (plus round ..flat..and shapes a like a ball) to get in places where nothing else would . they work just like sand paper in hard to reach places. latter I found most carving stores carry these things...I now have a 200 grit set also....I think I paid around $6.00-$8.00 for the first set.... I also fold a 1"x"1 inch sand paper in half and run the folded corners of the sand paper down the V's of the carving....to get the fuzzies cleaned up

Jim

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hey Jim, why didn't you just glue sandpaper to the feet of those "fleas" and go have a lemonade?

[Ron T]

As with many posted questions, it is difficult to see what the actual problem is you are facing. In addition to the advice already provided, I would suggest the following:

Fold sandpaper around the edge of a credit card to get into grooves.
Wrap sandpaper around a popsicle stick/coffee stirer.
Sand the tip of a dowel, 1/4", 1/8", toothpick, to an angle and glue a small piece of sandpaper to the tip. I just learned this one.

Hope this helps.

[oldbearx2]

I found needle files really work well

Harold

[ve3rin]

Thank you all for the many fantastc different ways to accomplish a tight situation. Who would have been able to think up all of the different ways to sand in areas that beginners like me thought were lost causes. From some of the ideas set forth by the group I found some of my wife's hidden treasures were there to be used in my carving exploits lol.
I greately appreciate all of the ideas and I am sure that others who encounter this problem will benefit as well from this post.
Keep the ideas coming folks.
Thank you all

One more idea from my son....
Take some 3m scotch brite scouring pad and cut into 1 inch circles and mount on a sanding mandrel. use on low speed or foot controled speed and it works great to get into many areas and does a wonderful job of getting rid of dust bunnies or fuzzies left on the wood.
Thank you son