Bow sander

[tonytom59]

Hi,
I'm kinda new to woodcarving. I have been thinking about it for a few years and finely went to a few classes. I just love it but I'm still trying to find my nitch. I want to do it all but I know I can't...yet. Anyway I have been trying to find a pattern to make a bow sander but can't find anything I like. Anyone have any ideas on where to look? Any help would be great, thanks.

Tony,
Cheers

[big_Wayne_P]

I had never seen 1

i did a google search and found this

http://www.intarsiadesigns.com/bowsander/bowsander.html

http://www.woodworkzone.com/shelley/...a_patterns.htm

I can see where it would be a handy tool to have
I did not see any patterns to build your own
but they can be ordered from either site

[Old_Gord]

I have a plan for a homemade bowsander, can't remember where I got it from, no name attached.
The dimensions are whatever you want, use plywood and a piece of a 1" wide sanding belt can be utilized, the round dots at the end of the sanding strip are actually metal pins, that jam the sandpaper in with the friction against the grit.
Never used one myself.

OG

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I made one very similar to the site posted by Wayne and they are very handy, however, I started looking at the 1/4 sanding strips they sell for a scollsaw and put those in a jewelers saw and they work terrific..you can also get those strips in 1/2 inch....and if you get the flat ends, they clamp right in a jewelers saw! I didn't realize this until after I had modified an old coping saw LOL...but it still works great, the jewelers saw is just a whole lot easier and quicker! (PS if you make one, like the site on Waynes post, you do need the shaker type pegs with the knob on the end, I used straight dowels and the paper wants to slip off....mine is also designed so that a 1/2 strip can be cut off a 21 inch sanding belt...no gluing sandpaper that way.

[Just Carving]

Here's the link to another version of a bow sander:

http://www.wcha.org/wcj/v20_n2/fairing.html

[don]

I made one similar to the last post except I used a piece of 2/4" plywood and cut the profile out, A long narrow C shape ,drilled the ends to accept a small bolt and clamp a strip of wet/dry sandpaper in it. Fold the ends of the sandpaper double for strength and poke a couple of holes for the bolt. I like to leave the paper a bit slack and use my grip to increase the tension if I feel it needs it.

[gwc]

I use an old hacksaw blade. Cover the blade with tape to cover edges,cut a piece of sandpaper to length attach to one end bend it but not too far as it will break attach other end and secure.I used several with different grits of paper.Great for small carvings & the price is right.

Gordo.