Belt Sander 101

[Joanne]

Hey Roly,

I have seen your trailer in person and was VERY impressed by it. I know that I always have something to learn when a knowledgeable person speaks.

Oh, are you planning on attending the Dutch Oven Gathering in Hurkey Creek (just outside of Idyllwild) over June 22 - 24th? It's right around the corner for you. I'll be there unless things blow up at work.

Joanne

[Podunkfla]

So, if you are wanting a little "Beltsander-101", hop onto this thread and let me know. If not, I'll just shut up and forever hold my peace........(or is it my sander)?

Roly, the li'l ol' woody woodworker..........ME

Yep... Roly, I'll hafta admit belt sanders are not my favorite woodworking tools? I usually go for wood planes, card scrapers and random orbit sanders first. I prolly have a half dozen belt sanders that I seldom use. I do use the stationary 4" and 6" belt sanders quite a bit though.

So... If you can show me what I have been missing, I am always game for learning some new tips. I'm sure interested.

[Roly Nelson]

Arne, I understand your question perfectly, and if I were doing that little trick, I don't think I would use a belt sander. I think your best bet to get a perfect 90 degree cut along that curve would be to make a masonite template to match the curve. Then using your router, make a number of cuts along the template, setting the cutter bit deeper at each pass. That way there would be no chance that it might not be right. Let us know how it goes. Good luck. BTW, is this teardrop trailer number 2?

Joanne, wouldn't you know, the Hurkey Creek DO thing is the same week end that there will be a TD and TTT informal gathering at Wrightwood, CA in the campground at the top of the mountain. I want to go and check out the TTTs since I have a 10 ft Kenskill Standy that is getting the Nelson-iz-ation treatment on the interior. I want to see what floor plan works best. I would have loved to do the DO thing again and am sorry I won't be seeing you at the feast. Take care.

Roly.......... goin' camping in a week and a half. (BTW, wow, you sure are a good welder, Joanne, and your woodworking skills are amazing by the looks of your progress pics).

PS, it looks like I am being requested to do my beltsander thing, so I am compiling all of my thoughts and will post them on the board when it is all put together. Thanks, all, for the responses, I hope I can help clear up some questions and eliminate any BS (beltsander) intimidation of our wonderful make-um-smoother machines.

[martha24]

PS, it looks like I am being requested to do my beltsander thing, so I am compiling all of my thoughts and will post them on the board when it is all put together. Thanks, all, for the responses, I hope I can help clear up some questions and eliminate any BS (beltsander) intimidation of our wonderful make-um-smoother machines.

Yes, please. I would like to learn.
Martha

[bledsoe3]

I'll be watching for your class too.

Now if we could just get someone to give a computer class.

[Classic Finn]

Yes Sir Roly..

It would be a pleasure to learn from a Swedish Craftsman..such as yourself..

My eyes and ears are open..ready to take notes..

Classic Finn

[Arne]

I think a router would be the best best, but I don't own one. And, if I play it right, I think the belt sander would work fine...

Lots of notes, but nothing about using a belt sander... it this just going to turn into another hijacked thread. Maybe I misunderstood what was supposed to be going on here....

[Roly Nelson]

Ok, Arne, if I had to true up those curves with only a belt sander, I would mark pencil slash marks all along the curved work area to confirm where wood is being removed while sanding. The next step would be to install a fresh sanding belt, probably an 80 grit, then get on my hands and knees on the teardrop floor. Holding the sander over the edge, and while looking down at the fresh pencil marks, I would make light passes all along the edge. Then checking the results with a square, I would again mark the high spots, make more light passes, check w/square again and so on. This takes a little time but can be done if sanding is not too aggressive. A light weight sander works best for this kind of job, and the key is to let it float like a butterfly and sting like a bee......tenderly.

More info will be posted when I get all my ducks in a row and can organize the sander information in the correct order. Hang tight.

Roly, retired So Calif woodworker, remodeling my house, finishing the "Stacker", doin' the mister-Mom stuff and when time is available, working on compiling "Beltsander-101"

[Arne]

Darn, never thought about using a square.... hmmm. I'm learning something already.....

[khutson]

Hey I have a brand new belt sander ready for action. Let's have that class...

[Joanne]

Roly,

Sorry to hear that you won't be there, but it sounds like you are going to have a great time anyway. Thanks for the nice words about my work. It means a lot coming from you.

I look forward to seeing your Nelson-ized Kenskill.

Joanne

<snip>
Joanne, wouldn't you know, the Hurkey Creek DO thing is the same week end that there will be a TD and TTT informal gathering at Wrightwood, CA in the campground at the top of the mountain. I want to go and check out the TTTs since I have a 10 ft Kenskill Standy that is getting the Nelson-iz-ation treatment on the interior. I want to see what floor plan works best. I would have loved to do the DO thing again and am sorry I won't be seeing you at the feast. Take care.

Roly.......... goin' camping in a week and a half. (BTW, wow, you sure are a good welder, Joanne, and your woodworking skills are amazing by the looks of your progress pics).

<snip>