'curved' base for belt sander

[Roly Nelson]

I have just finished bandsawing my 1/2" baltic birch bows for the hatch lid. Sanding the outside of the curves was no problem, since the flat base of my portable belt sander does that job just fine. However, when I built my first tear, I hand sanded for hours to rid the inside of the bows of the bandsaw marks. This time, I tried a new trick that I have never used in my 55 years of woodworking.

I cut a curved pine filler with matching 'hooks' on both ends, to hold it in place against the shiny metal base plate. The sanding belt stretches easily over the curved member, and after placing some pencil marks across the surface to be sanded (to let me know where more pressure should be applied), I slicked out the inner curves with no problem. In the event that any of you have never tried this little trick, give it a go, I should have tried it years ago.

Roly, five days into the new build, and all that is lacking is the hatch lid and the two doors. Should have that done in the next two days. :-)

[mikeschn]

Pictures Roly... Pictures!!!

Mike...

[Denny Unfried]

Roly, what a great trick. Thanks for sharing and for sure I'll be trying that one.

Denny

[Guy]

Dear Roly,

The first time I was taught that trick was for contouring seats. Quite amazing.

The other part of the trick for concave surfaces is to make the insert to the exact radius as the concave radius you are trying to achieve.

[Marck]

I'll have to give that a go.... really would like to see some pics though Roly.

[Duckdrop]

Hi Roly,
Newbie here. I saw your curved window on your website. Is the glass curved? If so how'd you do it? I am hoping to start building this winter and really liked the look of the new Camp-Inn and the new Airstream's curved front. But don't want to pay an arm 'n leg to get curved windows.

[Cary Winch]

Terry,

You don't really need to pay an arm and a leg. The curved windows on the front of the raindrop are Acrylic ones that we made up right here in our shop. They are retained by a two piece window gasket, The big front one has a shallow enough curve that it did not need to be preben. The smaller side ones were preformed on a wooden form in a oven. This is a pretty doable for most homebuilders actually.

Cary

[Roly Nelson]

Terry, the curved front window of my woody is also acrilic, heated in an oven on a wooden template. That was my 3rd try, and it still isn't right. I guess I need to take some "acrilic bending lessons" from Cary. I think I took it out of the oven too soon, or perhaps I had too much heat.

As far as pics of the 1/4 Nelson are concerned, I have been taking digital photos as I went along, but when I go to the "help with photos" above, it is like it is some sort of brain surgery language. (Paint Shop Pro, 640x480 or less, upload, personal gallery) Hey, the best I can do is log onto this site, search the internet, print pics and check my email.

Like many of my old-timer buddies, I too resisted getting a PC, "because I don't need it to write my checks". However, now with the big flat screen, wireless router, printer/fax/scanner, tons of memory and all that stuff, I guess it is time that I learn more about using it, especially posting pics!

Meanwhile, today I will suspend the tear body from the rafters and lower it onto the awaiting HF frame. Ta-dah, a towable teardrop in one week, not quite finished but nevertheless exciting, to say the least. ("Where are you going to keep that thing, she says", "I'll just stack it on end against the wall, within the garage, says I").

Roly, still thinking that if it's wood, it's good.

[mikeschn]

Gage, go visit Roly... he wants to learn all about photos!!!

Mike...

[Duckdrop]

Thanks Roly
Windows are back in the plans for now. There a place here in Portland called Tap Plastics that has big assortment of arcylics, plexiglass, etc.