Sanding difficult shapes

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13 February 2009 at 08:17 #18475
David Meier
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@davidmeier28154
I am finish shaping and sanding the hull of the Spanish trawler that I am building. It didn’t help that I brushed a layer of sealer undercoat on, thinking to give a good thick layer to fill small imperfections. I ended up with a plowed field effect and had to sand it all off. this was not going well for me, as my fingers always seemed to be in the way and the sandpaper was following irregularities rather than blend them out and it was taking for ever. I hit apon the idea of using one of those sponge sanding blocks, this worked so well that I bought another one and cut it into strips and thin layers to get at the concave curves. See photos.

I would be interested to here of other peoples methods of sanding in awkward places and any tools that can be used to help with this process. I find the concave parts the worst to do and internal corners like where the planking meets the keel.

Cheers.

David.
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13 February 2009 at 08:17 #6542
David Meier
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@davidmeier28154
13 February 2009 at 08:23 #18476
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
Hello David

I have a vast stock of sanding blocks………….all shapes and sizes………and like I`ve said earlier………….there`s nothing more delightful than a fresh coarse sanding block!

The trick of cutting abrasive paper, is too cut from the backing side with a razor saw and instead of wearing down the saw teeth, the abrasive grains simply get pushed off the surface

Just a passing thought…………..Bob
13 February 2009 at 08:32 #18477
David Meier
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@davidmeier28154
Hi Bob. Do you just glue the sandpaper onto various shaped blocks depending on what shapes you are sanding?

David.
13 February 2009 at 08:37 #18478
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
Hello David

The special shaped sanding blocks I use PVA glued on abrasives. but for general purpose sanding, I simply use staples

For your Spanish trawler…………..you could save the day by glueing on card plating……have a look at my “Jeanie Deans at war” album…….the rivetted plates look splendid!……………..even though I say it myself!

Bob
13 February 2009 at 08:40 #18479
David Meier
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@davidmeier28154
I am wondering if one could make a mini oscillating sander from an electric tooth brush, for those difficult to get at places.

David.
13 February 2009 at 08:45 #18481
David Meier
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@davidmeier28154
Hi Bob. I have looked at your album and the plating does look great. Unfortunately this trawler is meant to be a wooden hull. I will have to keep on as I am going, I am 90% there now. A much happier chap than I was yesterday.

David.
13 February 2009 at 09:16 #18483
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello David

In my opinion, there`s nothing worse than a smooth shiney hull!

The model hull needs to simulate the full size craft………………So it your trawler is planked, then planks should be seen.

I would think about glueing strips of paper onto your hull…….and “kill two birds with one stone”……………..(olde english saying)

Have a look at my Louis Heloise……………The model designer recommended leaving the planks on view

Bob
13 February 2009 at 11:24 #18484
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Assorted sanding blocks
13 February 2009 at 11:24 #18485
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Sander for tricky areas!
13 February 2009 at 22:13 #18498
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
Hi Bob.

you are probably right about the planking. I will sit on the idea for a day to get used to it. Where is the Louis Heloise photo, I couldn’t find it?

Thanks for the photos. Where did you get the mini sander from Bob it looks just the ticket?

David.
14 February 2009 at 06:47 #18505
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Dave

My Louis Heloise is in one of my albums……………there doesn`t seem a quick method of searching on this forum at the moment….so you need to go down the gallery list the hard way

The little sander is made by Bohler, Germany and they make quite a few little handy tools…..Right Angle grinder…mini linisher…mini planer…mini router……………but a bit expensive

Bob
14 February 2009 at 11:25 #18516
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
Phew Bob you are a hard task master, but I got there in the end. Page 24 and well worth the effort, I have made a note of the page number so I can go back to the photos for ideas. I enjoyed looking at your PS Great Eastern on page 8 as well. I was amazed to see that you could take the formers out on such a long slender hull and still be strong enough.

I googled Bohler and found a great model shop, http://www.ema-models.com/   that used up about an hour looking through their catalogue.

Thanks for the help.

David.
8 May 2009 at 19:37 #20718
Phil Winks 1
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@philwinks1
As an addendum to the earlier post on sanding blocks a bit of double sided tape and pipes of various diametres make sanding blocks that are good for concave surfaces
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