Help: Recommendation requested for sanding contours

[Christian Castillo]

Hi, recently I've found myself sanding saw handles, and the tedious part is getting the curves of the tote. Does anyone have a suggestion or recommendation for a powered solution to help me out?


IMG_1039 by Christian Castillo1, on Flickr

[frank shic]

how about an oscillating spindle sander?

[Brian Kent]

Hand - "powered" rasps and files.

Sanding drums on a drill.
This is what I use: http://www.amazon.com/EXTRA-LONG-DRU..._ob_hi_title_1

[Tom Scott]

The Guinivere system from King Arthur Tools is awesome for sanding contours, but it's not cheap. If you plan to do a lot (I made about 50 spoons and spatulas for Christmas), then I think it is worth it. But if it's only for a one-off situation, you can make due with other cheaper systems. You certainly don't need to buy the whole Quinivere system, i.e. motor, flexible shaft, etc. You can easily just buy the inflatable drum and sanding sleaves and chuck in your drill press.

[Christian Castillo]

Thanks for the suggestions, so far I have drum sanders, mop sanders and the Guinivere system to think about, due to price though, I think drum sanders will work quite well.

[David Posey]

Are you making the saw handles or sanding off old ones?

If you're making new ones, I'd be very careful to keep the sharp lines crisp. It just looks more appealing. For all of those outside curves, I'd use a card scraper once I got the shape close with rasps. That's going to be faster than just about any powered solution unless you invest a ton in the setup. For the part inside the handle, sanding drums on a drill seem like a good and fast solution. You could modify a card scraper for this, but it would take a careful touch and you really don't have any lines to preserve other than the lamb's tongue.

[David Hawxhurst]

abrasive rolls with either a drill of die grinder type device. ie http://www.bright-works.com/store/html/rolls.html

[Michael Hamilton, ID]

Not sure the 1 1/8" diameter drum is small enough but these might help.
Grizzly Pneumatic Drum Sanders

Hi, recently I've found myself sanding saw handles, and the tedious part is getting the curves of the tote. Does anyone have a suggestion or recommendation for a powered solution to help me out?

[Rick Potter]

check on brush sanders also. Try Klingspor for one that goes on a lathe or drill press.

Rick Potter

[David Cefai]

How about a Dremel? Even assuming the Guinevere is more powerful, the Dremel should do what you need it to and has other uses besides. Worst case, a Dremel clone but you don't really save much and there IS a quality difference.