[vic n]

I've been trying to get a carving ready to paint by sanding the various scratches and gouge marks. What I can't seem to get to is the really low spots (hollowed out cheeks and the inside of ears). How do you guys get in there? I've made some sanding sticks, but they are more for outside shapes and areas that the wide stick can get into. Should I try to make something curved or very narrow? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks- Vic

[Kenny_S]

I can't say what others do but I don't sand. Rifflers may help you if you choose to use them. They usually have the form to get in to those type of places. I would try for cleaner cuts so as not having to sand.

[wood-whittler]

not trying to be a smart alleck, but sanding is a dirty word in my shop, so i cant help you there.

bart

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

they have a lot of foam sanding blocks and sheets out now, some of the sheets are about 1/4 to 5/16 thick and can be bended folded etc, the blocks are not quite as limber but both do a good job.......that is..........for someone that liked to sand! but I don't know anybody like that!

[snickerbocker]

Me niether!

[vic n]

Well I don't want to sand either! It's just that I'm new at this and don't have a lot of tools, so when I try to do something big with a bunch of small tool cuts .... it needs to be cleaned up. I'm not trying for a mirror finish, just want to smooth out the edges as it were. I've made a couple of sanders out of some nylon material (1/2" thick), shaved down til it will bend. Now I've been out looking for some of the liquid wax/stain that Mark Gargac uses to finish up
his pieces. Thanks for the help.

Vicki - I've been to your site several times and hope to take one of your seminars one day!

Vic

[snickerbocker]

Vic
We would love to meet you and carve with you.

[mark yundt]

Try Lee Valley as well as Woodcrafters. They have at least a dozen or so of a variety of different shaped rubber forms or shapes that you can wrap sandpaper around that offers a solid yet flexible backing that allows you to reach odd areas. If you cut the paper into strips,,and fold it around the forms it works very well without all the fuss of the other techniques. The other benefit is you don't end up sanding all the details out since you can control the paper very well. Plus,,they're cheap. Handy little devils.

[Kenny_S]

Suggestion here. You might try a denture brush and brush the valleys to see if it loosens up any of the wood chips/fuss or wait till you are ready to paint, If that is what you like, and use dish soap and water and brush the piece real good. Usually I find that that does clean up the valleys for me. Well most of the time.

[Bandaid]

Some of the replys to the request for help from Vic bother me. If a carver want's to use sandpaper or dynamite to achieve the end result, what does it matter? There were members of the forum who made suggestions to try and help a fellow carver, while others seem to belittle the use of anything other than "conventional" carving tools.

If sandpaper, rifflers, files or whatever works, go for it. Hang in there Vic it's a great hobby.

Reg