View Full Version : Biting off more then I can chew, but not choking yet!
mcontinenza
08-13-2002, 10:33 PM
I am glad to see there is something for women when it comes to woodworking and building things. I am new to wood working and have already made a clock using a scroll saw, in the process of making a curio cabinet for my daughter that has been on hold for over a year now, a cradle for my new baby, and I'm in progress of another cradle for my nephew who is expecting in Oct. My dilema is that I found a beautiful cradle plan but, it was for a doll. I enlarged the plan to a standard size and yes, have to improvise a bit but, thats ok. I had to use a jig saw to cut it out because it actually was a scroll saw plan and it is too big for my 16" scroll saw. Now I am wondering if any of you have any hidden secrets on sanding the railing spindals which are all one piece.(the entire side of the cradle is one piece)and the cutouts. I have been doing an awful lot of hand sanding on this project and thought I was being clever because it was so much easier than the first cradle I made out of the Winfield Collection mag. I guess the jokes on me! I told you I was new to this. I just love wooding with wood and creating things, I guess thats why I don't know how to start out small. I would greatly appreciate any tips and comments from anyone or all of you.
Shari
Ah these are known as "sanding oppertunities" not my phrase at all, a favorite from "the router lady". I think everyone here just loves to sand. I don't know what methods you have already tried. Also not sure of the opening that you are dealing with. But you might try a drum sander. If you have a drill press available. http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/findprod.cfm?&DID=6&filter=spindle%20sander&sku=1317 I would not reccommend trying this free hand with a hand drill it can really gouge our what you are trying to sand.
Otherwise put your favorite music, nice cup of coffee, and contemplate the best way to do this next time to minimize the "sanding oppertunities", while you enjoy the silence of no power tools while hand sanding.
If you give some more detail to your project I sure some others will come up with more ideas.
Weez
hi ho sliver
08-14-2002, 06:09 AM
http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/search_results.asp?find_spec=sanding+strips+for+sc roll+saw&btnSearch.x=15&btnSearch.y=9
you can try these scroll sanders, go into your scroll saw in place of the blade...they also make something similar you can do by hand...
Johanna
08-14-2002, 08:04 AM
If you are into spending about $100, you can buy a detail sander. I have a Porter Cable and have used it in small openings.
I was going to suggest scrapers, but you have to learn to sharpen them. If you can find someone nearby who can teacher you how to do that, you might find a french curve scraper would handle the job quickly. I cannot be sure that a scraper would work without seeing the piece, though.
mcontinenza
08-14-2002, 10:15 PM
I thank you for your input. When you say detail sander, if you mean something like a dremmel, I have one and used it where possible. I also have drum sanders that I use my drill press. I don't know what the scrapers are though, can you explain these to me please.
Shari
hayley3
08-18-2002, 12:57 PM
A scraper is like a spokeshave and there's a spokeshave that does spindles. Here's a page that shows a chairmaker's. I'll try to make it clickable:
http://costaricanoutpost.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?store_code=TCO&screen=PROD&product_code=HTS-10450
Mamabear (Betty) (Guest)
08-19-2002, 05:21 AM
I decided to put my two cents worth in too. I have a little tool called the Electro-File Precision Reciprocating Tool. This tool is dyno-mite for using with very close places and especially with scroll saw work. They advertise them in the Creative Woodworks and Crafts magazines. I purchased mine about 1 year ago and love it. Web site is www.precisionhobby.com (http://www.precisionhobby.com) if you want to check it out. I would recommend this tool highly to you. Thanks and Happy Woodworking!!Mamabear Betty