I hate sanding.
Have I mentioned that I hate sanding. If I have not . . . I hate sanding.
I left off the previous section with the pieces all cut with the bandsaw in need of sanding. Have I mentioned I hate sanding. Here are what the pieces look like up close.
I recently purchased a drum sander kit for my drill press for $28 . . . I think it is a good deal. I was hoping to use it exclusively for sanding these items, however when I carpet taped the matching pieces together they were to thick for the largest drum. Arggggg !
Yes my drill press has found another use . . . a hat rack.
I broke out the DeWalt random orbit sander, my workmate and shop vac. I clamped the hose of the vac to the underneath of the workmate to catch wayward dust, donned my hearing protection and dust mask and started with the 60 grit to get rid of the nasties.
What seemed like hours later . . . I was done. I did have to use my drum sander for the inside arc of the arm . . . boy did it work fast.
Here is what I was left with before I went in for the evening.
Next I think I will be tackling the skirting underneath the seat and\or the scooping out of the chair.
Oh . . . did I mention I hate sanding.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
5 comments so far
Zuki
home | projects | blog
815 posts in 526 days
posted 58 days ago
Oh . . . note to self. Self, when cutting reliefs for the bandsaw make sure that I do not cut them in past the cutout line. It makes for a lot more sanding.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
Betsy
home | projects | blog
1760 posts in 345 days
posted 58 days ago
Zuki—I feel your pain. :-)
You should look into microplanes (http://us.microplane.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=13). I use them quite a lot for shaping. You do have to back up the boards to prevent some tearout. But if you use them properly you can remove a lot or little material as needed – both quickly. The fine plane leaves a pretty smooth surface. Still need to sand a little but a whole lot less than you would if you did not use the microplane.
The microplane does not create dust, it creates chips – which is nice. With all this said, I do not like the microplane sanding discs. They create more work in the end. But the rasps are wonderful and to beat it all – they are not all that expensive.
Good luck.
-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!
brianinpa
home | projects | blog
528 posts in 172 days
posted 58 days ago
Zuki, I couldn’t agree more: I HATE SANDING! But when I am done and look at the finished wood… boy it looks nice!
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Russel
home | projects | blog
1214 posts in 388 days
posted 58 days ago
Zuki, allow me to say that I once hated sanding. I too found the dust, sander vibration, and tedium of the task bothersome. Today, I fondly look back on that time as a lesson I needed to learn, to experiece, to endure. Sanding has become therapy for me. The scratching sound changing as the grit does it’s work; the increasing smoothness of the wood; the simple relaxation in the absence of power tools. Yes, that’s right, I do most of my sanding by hand these days. I savor the feel of the wood as I move the paper across it in a rhythmic motion. I look forward to the soreness in my arm and the muscles tighten from the repetitive movement. I eagerly await the cramp in my hand as I try to hold the paper in the same position for extended periods of time.
Okay, maybe I don’t like sanding quite so much, but it looks like things are starting to take shape for you.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Zuki
home | projects | blog
815 posts in 526 days
posted 56 days ago
Betsy . . . Im going to look into those a little later.
Brian . . . you are right on . . . it does look nice.
Russel . . . I initially thought you were a little crazy until I tried it in Part #5
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them