How to: build a reasonable sanding tool

Hi everyone,

This is a tutorial to construct an appropriately sized sanding tool for 1/24 scale models. I noticed that it vastly improved the quality and enjoyment factor :screwy: of my sanding labors, so I'm sharing it with the community. Hopefully, some will benefit from my contribution.

To begin, you will need to gather some supplies:

< a straight edge, preferably a small t square such as shown
< a detail knife handle with a sharp #11 blade
< a pair of tweezers, best if they are flat sided such as shown
< flat toothpicks
< a roll of electrical tape
< Testors pack of 5 sanding films
< cutting surface
< steady hands :cwm27:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1732.jpg



An American quarter is shown for size reference.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1740.jpg

Here is a closer picture of acceptable toothpicks.

Okay, Here we go then.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1743.jpg

First, cut a strip of sanding film the width of the flat toothpick. Grits 320, 400, and 600 are pictured.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1747.jpg

Now unroll approximately 1.5 inches of the electrical tape. *Hint: the sharp #11 blade is a great way to lift the tape instead scratching at it with a finger nail...* Use the straight edge and #11 blade to sever the tape at 1 inch.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1750.jpg

Now cut six 1/16 inch strips of electrical tape width-wise. Having the t square enables the strips to be of the same size because two points of reference are provided. *Hint: this wonderful truth helps in lining up lots of things...*

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1751.jpg

As shown, use the #11 blade to start lifting the tape from the cutting surface, (did you do that with the electrical tape?) and use the tweezers to remove the tape from the cutting surface completely.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1757.jpg

Now place the first piece of 1/16 inch width electrical tape perpendicular to, and approximately 1/2 inch from the top of a flat tookpick. Make sure the electrical tape's end is flush to the toothpick's top face. (toothpicks have faces? ) They do now. :loser:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1758.jpg

Now this is KEY. Use the flat tipped tweezers to secure the electrical tape strip by firmly pressing down on it. Start with the top face of the toothpick. Rotate the toothpick and press the tape to it. Each face. Side. Whatever. A total of four presses with proportional rotations will produce the results shown in the picture. As in modeling and life, what you put in, (Effort and respect to detail in this case) is what you will get out.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1759.jpg

Place a strip of film next to the toothpick. Appears like you need some sort of marking utensil as well. My appologies for omtting it in the inventory. Make a mark as shown. This is to be cut width-wise.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1760.jpg

Seeing the idea? The electrical tape was wrapped....err.. folded around the toothpick to have something to anchor to after securing the cut strip of sanding film. You'll find electrical tape holds to itself much better than it holds to wood.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1761.jpg

Simply follow the instructions pertaining to picture #7 to complete the tool. I'll repost for the ultra-lazy. Start with the top face of the toothpick. Rotate the toothpick and press the tape to it. Each face. Side. Whatever. A total of four presses with proportional rotations will produce the results shown in the picture.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1763.jpg

Here's why you cut six strips of 1/16 inch width electrical tape. One sanding surface on each end of the toothpick. This can be done as follows:

150 Grit-------------------280 Grit
320 Grit-------------------400 Grit
600 Grit-------------------600 Grit

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1765.jpg

And the fruits of all that effort. You can "choke up" on the tool to have more precision. This was a one handed digital picture capture. The tool works amazingly well on "sprue stubs".

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/sileightsix/IMG_1769.jpg

The inspiration for the tool's creation. I thought," There just has to be a better way." And you know what? There is. :smokin:

Til next time...

Happy Modeling!

Very nice.

Also try gluing strips of sand paper (Testors sanding film might glue better, with none seeping through) to strips of aluminum or brass, for a wider (Or not) and sturdier base.

Or use pieces of double-sided foam tape, available from 3M in most hardware stores or as 'servo tape' in R/C shops, and you'll get a slightly flexible mounting surface to conform to curves. That's basically what sanding sticks are: A hard plastic spine, dense foam, and a sanding element.

Cool "How to" :bigthumb:

Smart idea! I sometimes superglue small cut out bits of sandingpaper on lollypop-sticks ! Perfect for areas where your fingers just are too big !

The result is very useful, thanks!