Superball Spoon sander

[mpounders]

I nearly wore my thumbs and fingers off sanding the bowl of a spoon, so I started trying to think of something easier on my hands. I would love some of the Guinevere sanding system stuff, but can't justify the cost for myself. I decided I didn't really need an inflatable ball sander and just tied some leather filled with sand to the end of a dowel and covered with sandpaper. It was a lot easier on my fingers, so I have refined the idea a little bit.

I got some small rubber balls and a small mandrel. I drilled through the balls and used a knife to recess the hole so the mandrel and screw would attach properly on one. The other I just drilled a hole and used a wood screw to attach it to a short piece of dowel for hand sanding. I did put a couple of small brads on the end of the dowel, cut off the hids to a point, and used that to keep the ball from turning so much. I basically use a compass to draw a small circle the diameter of the ball on a piece of sandpaper. Then I lay the shaft side ways on the paper and draw a larger circle so that the sand paper will come up the shaft far emough to stick a rubber band around it. I use scissors to cut tapered slices from the outer sircle down to the edge of the inner circle, which allows the paper to be folded easier around the ball. You could possibly use the pre-made ones from Guinevere and some other method for attaching to the ball. I haven't used the one with the mandrel yet, but have hopes that it will be effective also.

[Ron T]

Hey another great idea from someone who's long on imagination for those of us short on funds.

Thanks.

[Coffeeman]

hey, now thats using your head to solve a unique problem, great idea and thanks. Bill

[Sharon of the Dell]

Great Idea! will have to give it a try.

[Lightningbolt]

I always appreciate new ideas and this seems like a good one! Way to take the ball and run (I mean sand) with it.

[Claude]

Definitely would save wear and tear on the poor old thumb. Thanks for the idea!!

Claude

[tucker1931]

I'm liking your idea. Personally, I would like a ball about 3/4 of an inch for bowls of smaller spoons, I currently use flap sanders but would prefer the ball type the same as the larger inflatables that I have.
Cliff

[Claude]

Cliff:
If you can find a 3/4 inch ball, or take a 3/4 inch dowel and round the end then cut it to about 1 inch long, drill a hole in the flat end, insert a wood screw, then cut the head off the screw so you can chuck it into a drill. Cut the piece of sandpaper the way mpounders shows above. Spray the wood and the back of the sandpaper with Krylon Repositionable Adhesive (same basic stuff that post-it notes use). Since the drill turns relatively slowly, this should be sticky enough to keep the paper attached to the wood. ...Or just use the rubber band to hold the paper on.

Claude

[tucker1931]

Claude, thanks for the tip, I've been fooling around here for quite some time trying to come up with a suitable solution, it's not easy (at least for an old fool like me).
Cliff

[dadams14]

Thanks for the idea, I am going to try it. I make spoons a lot and sell them. People still like them. I sell them for $8 each, which Is cheap, but I so love making them so that I don't mind ... I try to get them shining smooth. I like walnut and cherry for lumber..
What lumber do you guys use for spoons?

I have been using the sears 3d sander which has been discontinued.
God bless all
Dennis
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