I am working on a couple Pelicans that I am hoping to incorporate into a “big picture” somehow. They are done completely in hardwoods and I was thinking of perhaps sharing how I sanded little pieces such as these. I have already started and as you can see I still have pencil marks for an eye on one. However when I brought my camera into the shop to show how I was going to sand these lil’ pieces I noticed how dirty, (dusty, sawdust, etc.) my little sanding pads were. They are essential( for me anyway) when it comes to sanding something such as this.
What I really wanted to post about was a little trick Iwas told that I tried that I swear by when it comes to these pads.
Wash them! Yup right in the washing machine
As can be seen, some of these are on the old side, LOL!!! But I swear by this trick, just place them in a pillow case and tie the end of the case into a knot and was as you would your laundry. I always use cold and that’s what I use. Of course I place nothing else in the washer, but they come out nice and clean and ready to sand some more for you! I have them here by my wood stove on one of those clothes drying racks (made with dowels)
And the following are the Pellicans I am working on. Neither have their feet yet as I am not quite sure how I am going to be using them
When the pads dry which will not take more than a couple hours I will continue (I hope) just how I go about sanding super tiny pieces.
-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!
13 comments so far
oldskoolmodder
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707 posts in 573 days
posted 252 days ago
Great as always Allison.
I’m thinking about an intarsia project, but have never done it and haven’t the slightest as far as going about doing it. I’m sure it’s not as “simple” an idea as I’d like to think it looks sometimes, is it? Layers and rounded edges?
-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric
kiwi1969
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600 posts in 335 days
posted 252 days ago
Good trick with the pads. We would waterblast our cloth backed widebelts to clean them at work.
-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand
rodb
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137 posts in 295 days
posted 252 days ago
Great idea.
Thanks for sharing.
Rod
-- Rod Baltimore Ontario
Richforever
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339 posts in 613 days
posted 252 days ago
Beautiful looking birds! Thanks for the tip about the sanding pads.
-- Rich, Seattle, WA
Allison
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652 posts in 692 days
posted 252 days ago
Ya know I meant to write that these sanding pads are extremely inexpensive and most of you are probably wondering why bother. The reason I liked this tip is the only way I can get them is through a catalog, etc. due to where I live. I usually get them at Harbor Freight for next to nothing, but say I spend $5.00 on them, I have to get them from Reno, Nevada and the cost of shipping may be $15.00. I am sure you know what I am saying. That’s why it’s a good little tip for me, and one from an old woodworking artist I met from Laguna Beach that I have written about here before.
Thanks to all that replied.
PEACE!!!
Allison
-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!
Scott Bryan
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20575 posts in 715 days
posted 251 days ago
Thanks for the info on the pads, Allison. I have just been tossing them as I would sandpaper but, if this extends, their life then I am going to try it. (Of course I probably will get yelled at for putting them in MY WIFE’S washer. The pelicans look really good. I enjoy seeing projects such as this and it is amazing what can be depicted in wood by artists such as yourself.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Scott Michael
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52 posts in 289 days
posted 251 days ago
Hi Allison. I often rinse my pads out in water and then just “squeeze” them dry. Altough I have never used them for my intarsia pieces. I use “pnuematic” sanders and simply adjust the air pressure. I have found that this works for rounding the edges and getting into all the tight spaces for my projects.
-- scmichael
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 744 days
posted 251 days ago
Never thought of rinsing those pads Allison but I can see it’s a great idea. Thanks for the tip.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
odie
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1601 posts in 733 days
posted 250 days ago
I can’t wait for the completed picture !
-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 744 days
posted 250 days ago
Whoops, sorry Allision did not mention how great the pelicans look.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
aussiman
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24 posts in 626 days
posted 188 days ago
looks great Allision can you tell me what woods you used. im getting interested in this intarsia stuff mainly due to seeing your stuff on here and I might have a go at it as soon as I can get a few pieces of different colour woods. here in Australia we don’t seem to have too many different colour woods to choose from as any body ever done one by dyeing woods
Bill
a1Jim
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16684 posts in 470 days
posted 187 days ago
Very nice work great trick on the sanding blocks
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
sIKE
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1094 posts in 647 days
posted 187 days ago
The birds looks great, thanks for the tips with the sanding pads. Like Scott, I have just been throwing them away. HD and Lo’s carries these too, just in-case you have one near by..
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"