[Marci MN]

Does anyone get the Wood Carvers Supply Inc. catalog? If so, have you tried the radial bristle disks on page 32?

I'm desperately looking for sanding help with power carved wood. Especially down in the beards/hair. I am wondering if these discs will sand down in those hair valleys.

If there are other ideas on how to sand small walking stick type carvings done with a power tool.. I'm all ears. I've tried a few different things with out success.

Thanks much.. Marci

[decoycarve]

Marci.
I use scotchbrite pads cut in about 1 1/4 circles. I stack 2 at time on a mandrel. I use the small mandrels that usually hold a small buffing wheel like those that are used in a dremel. They have a small screw that screws into the mandrel. If you drop the tiny screw in the woodchip pile forget it! Impossible to find. This is what I use to go over my santas before paint. Gets all the little pieces out.
Goody

[BobD]

Marci,
Frank Russell reviewed them for our next issue of WCI (the one with Bob on the cover).

There are different grits, and without giving away all the article, Frank thinks they do admirably. You an use one disk or stack a bunch together--In my experience the one disk is great to get into little valleys...

That said, I still use the scotchbrite in a mandral for a lot of my work--it's more cost effective! I save the bristle discs for special uses.

Caution: DO not use the 3M abrasive pads (they are a dark grey)...They fly apart very easily and you spend more time picking the particles out of your hide and the carving than you do using them--in my experience! I prefer the 3M pads in extra fine for applying paste wax, but not as a defuzzer!

Bob

[dryheat]

Decoycarve,
Next time you drop one of those screw take the strongest magnet you have and stir it around in the chips. this will usually pick up the screw and a lot of other stuff you don't want and didn't know was there.
Ed

[Marci MN]

Thanks for the information!

Thats exactly what I used, that darker pad and it disinagrated instantly. I was very glad I had my saftey glasses on when I tried it.

I've also used circles of sandpaper cut to 1.5 inches. I used 10 of them back to back and cut slits into them. It worked a little bit..but they too are disinagrating fast.

I'm anxious to read that article on those disks. My hubby said to order them if I want to..but I'd like to know more about them first. They look like the answer I could use for those little fuzzies.

Decoy.. I've done that too. Dropped that tiny lil screw into the sawdust pile. I have a hand held metal detector and have used that to locate that tiny screw back. I also drop those tiny lil burs from the turbo carver and go over the carpet back there before I vaccuum to make sure non of them are laying on the floor.

[Tom H]

Marci, I am so new to this carving stuff that I probably should just keep my mouth shut! But, for what its worth. I tried the disks, sand paper, scrappers, etc. The easiest, for me is to use a small brass brush, liquid soap, hot water; and just scrub the piece. After scrubbing, let it dry - it should be free of the fuzzies. It works for me. TOM H