Sanding and finishing tools in a modestly but adequately equipped scroll sawing shop?

[Tallbald]

As I wait for insurance company (Medicare) approval for right shoulder surgery next week I'm enjoying studying the scrollwork art of you talented crafters. And trying to study best practices and techniques.

I've shared here that wood puzzles and intarsia draw my eyes and won't let go. I'm wondering what tools or accessories beyond our current little shop would really be helpful finishing small scroll sawn projects. I'd like to share here the finishing tools we already have on hand and ask folks to offer suggestions for things I can keep an eye out for. One thing I often see used is a 1x30 inch belt sander for edge sanding of parts in tight corners (like puzzle pieces and intarsia components). And I see that many use sanding mops on their drill presses for gently smoothing rounded corners. I've been looking at both pretty closely, wondering if they really are useful.

Wife and I already have these finishing tools :

Flex shaft tool

6x48 belt, 9 inch disc sander,

Wen portable oscillating sander (wow what a nice portable tool for sanding wood and metal laminated slingshot frames!)

Orbital pad sander

Drill press with drum sanders

round over bits of several sizes and router

airbrush and compressor

Large selection of files, rasps and needle files.

Thanks for any suggestions you folks can offer. Kind of a broad subject but perhaps folks can help me narrow down things. Maybe I'm already good to go also.

Don

[Roberta Moreton]

Sounds like you have it covered. How do you finish your work?  I use Danish oil mainly. I have a shelf/rack for hanging my things while they dry. 

[barb.j.enders]

Like Roberta mentioned, sounds like you are well covered.  I also use emery boards from the $ store.

[Tallbald]

Thank you all so much. I was hoping to hear this. Edge sanding on small pieces with multiple contours has always been a bugaboo for me though. My bandsaw has been my primary tool for 37 years now. The edges of the kerf always need sanding/jointer/belt sander attention after a cut.

Either of you have one of the 1x30 inch tabletop belt sanders in your finishing arsenal? If you do, does it get as much use as you expected when finishing?

As to my finishing methods, I've always used mineral oil on children's items. Sculptures and non-children's items receive a sealing coat of Minwax Antique oil followed by a thorough drying and a coat of Minwax spray polyurethane. A brown paper bag hand rub after the poly always gives me a smooth final touch.

The mop sanding wheels are usually pricy I seem to recall. Tried making my own but they just didn't perform as I'd hoped they would so I stopped making them.

Thoughts on the mop type sanding would be appreciated too.

Don

[William Eicehelberger]

I have a sanding mop that is real handy for fret work.
Bill

[FrankEV]

I keep 2 random obital palm sanders plugged in a fitted with paper at all times. One with either 150 or 220 grit and the other with 600 or 1500 grit.  I mainly use these to prep my fretwork cut panels and backerss prior to afixing the pattern and or painting.  I also use them in my frame making.  During a sanding operation  I can go from coarse sanding to fine saning with out having to change paper.  

I have 2 Dremel rotary tools. One is mey upside down mounted Dremel drill press and the other with a flex shaft for use with many different small rotary sculpturing bits.

Not a finishing tool per se, but I also have a 12" Craftsman planer on a roll around stand that is not often used, but when needed can be pulled out of the corner and put to use to reduce material to needed thicknesses.  I can buy 3/4" material locally but they never have 1/2" that is often needed for making lamps and such.  The planer does the trsick.  It can also be used to flatten warped lumber.  

[Blaughn]

You have the power options down.  I have collected 3 of these over the past 50 years and the oldest one is still going strong.  They are my "go-to" tool for rubbing out a lacquer finish with 400, 600 and even 2000 grit wet or dry sand paper.  

https://smile.amazon.com/3M-05519-Sanding-Block-Rubber/dp/B002MDHECA/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2B2Z47EXDDWCP&keywords=3m+sanding+blocks&qid=1670214337&sprefix=3m+sanding+blocks%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-4

[preprius]

I like this drill tool for sanding drums. 

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/sanding-drum-3-4-x-2-1-4-x-1-4

I cut my own sand paper and insert it.  I don't rely on pre-made grit drums. This is primarily used is in my hand drill.  I can adjust speed better than my belt drill press. If the speed burns the wood, then i can adjust trigger speed.  I found the local paint supply store has Purple pro sandpaper that I like.   This is my goto tool for inside bowls.  Ok, wearable cowboy hats also.  Orbital sander for outside bowls. 

I also have small belt sander not variable speed.  I use it but it burns some wood due to the speed.  Purple heart, black walnut and others is easy to burn.  I also have used it for intarsia peices.

My rotary tool is from harbor freight... https://www.harborfreight.com/bench-grinder-with-flex-shaft-43533.html

The cheap rotary tool set from harbor freight is useful.

a great burr tool For fast wood removal....  https://www.woodcraft.com/products/original-cylinder-burr-1-8-shaft-fine-1-8-x-7-8

This is my large belt sander...  https://www.woodcraft.com/products/3-5a-oscillating-spindle-belt-sander-triton

Of course the main tool is the Hawk scrollsaw with Pegas blades. 

[don in brooklin on]

I have a Klingspor Sanding MAC Mop 180 grit.  Yes, it is expensive BUT I use is on nearly every project I do.  I have it mounted to an old motor right next to my scroll saw so I just have to swing around to use.   Would not do without it.

See old one in front.

 

[Scrappile]

I have three Mac Mops and I too use them in every project,, Mine get mounted on my lathe, but as soon as I get my hands on a motor, I want to mount them on that like is pictured in the post in this thread.

[Tallbald]

Excellent, excellent information. Thank you each and all.

DOn

[scrollerpete]

21 hours ago, Scrappile said:

I have three Mac Mops and I too use them in every project,, Mine get mounted on my lathe, but as soon as I get my hands on a motor, I want to mount them on that like is pictured in the post in this thread.

You can get a cheap furnace motor just about anywhere, they worked great

[Scrappile]

1 hour ago, scrollerpete said:

You can get a cheap furnace motor just about anywhere, they worked great

Now that you mention it,,, I remembered I have three of them stored in my garage.  If I can find them.  That is what happens when you have acclimated 40 years of junk.  Person should move every 5 years.  Get rid of the junk... Now that we really need to move, just the thought is overwhelming.  I also have an old wringer washing machine that has a motor in it.. don't know if any of them run.

[Roberta Moreton]

I just asked my husband, he said he has a few, he will look around for one.  Dedicated mop on the way!