cleaning up curved edges

that works glen unless your making a bunch of chairs in that case i like to make a pattern the use my pattern cutter in the router table

-- I buy tools so i can make more money,so ican buy more tools so I can work more, to make more money, so I can buy more tool, so I can work more

I tried the drum sander on the drill press and was less than satisfied with the result. A pattern cutting bit with a router (in a table if possible) has always worked best for me.

-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

I guess I should clarify a bit. I hope to eventually use the pattern bit/router table, but right now I’m simply working on my pattern.

I used the bandsaw to cut my pattern out of 1/4 ply. Now I’m trying to get the edges smooth and exactly like I want it.

Thanks for the info.

-- Glenn, Arkansas

the way i cut with the bandsaw is to work against the back of the blade , dont just go straight into it . the blade wanders side to side in the kerf making ruddie cuts . by coming at it slightly angled and touching the back of the blade you keep it from wiping around , dont be afraid to put mild presure against it sideways ,it still cuts square .
if you dont have the router setup a drum sander on drillpress is good but you can make a round stop same diamiter as drum and use it under drum with pattern as doyoulike suggests .
chek out the jig stops for paterning with the bandsaw also . basicaly a stop on 1 side of blade that rides against a patern allowing multiple repeat parts .

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

hows about a square block of wood for a guide and a normal mill file. works for me.

-- Junior -Quality is never an accident-it is the reward for the effort involved.

I use a spindle sander and sandpaper glued to a thin flexible piece of wood.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

Hey Glen
What I’ve had some students do when they don’t have a disc or edge sander is to make a jig that holds your belt sander on it’s side so your belt sander acts like and edge sander and also has a rounded edge good for pattern making. If your in the market Ridgid sells a real nice little spindle belt sander combo I think it’s in the $200 range. If none of those are an options just use some rasp and files to true up your pattern It takes longer but it works. the other guys have great suggestions also.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Well, that’s what I love about this hobby. Always another justification for a tool purchase. First I decided I had to buy a drill press so I could put a drum sander on the end of it. Can’t have wavy pattern edges, right? Then I discovered the Rigid spindle/belt edge sander you mentioned and decided that would be the perfect machine, so I bought it. But then I had already made up my mind to get a drill press, so I got that, too. Got to be able to drill straight, vertical holes, right? And it was a good deal, so…

I’m going to have to make 18,000 Adirondack chairs just to make up for the equipment purchases. Anybody want to buy one? $100 each. Handmade. :)

Thanks for all the suggestions!

-- Glenn, Arkansas

When I need to smooth out a radius I’ll take some left over “peel and stick” floor tile, apply my sandpaper and sand away.
The tile will conform to the radius, it’s cheap and I have plenty

-- At the end of my life...When I meet my Maker...Will I be seen as...a giver or a taker

i82, good idea. I’ll have to keep that one in mind.

Everyone, I got tired of waiting on the spindle sander to arrive (still not in), and in a fit of desperation, I grabbed a SureForm “plane” (a rasp, really), which did a fantastic job of smoothing off the edges (thanks, Skarp).

But what was really cool was using the router and pattern to cut out the part (thanks, doyoulikegumwood). I’ve never done that before and was really impressed with how it turned out. Unfortunately, I first attached the pattern to the workpiece with double-sided carpet tape, which didn’t work. It slid all around, and I ruined the first work piece. Then I tried hot melt glue, and it worked perfectly. I think I’m going to be using this technique a lot now.

-- Glenn, Arkansas

Hey Glenn
There is a big differences between carpet tape and a good double sided tape like turners tape used in turning
it’s kinda spendy but it’s really strong.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/