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One Great Tip » Bow Sander
Bow Sander
By Jerry "Jake" Seabaugh
Photos by Jerry "Jake" Seabaugh
Posted: November 3, 2009
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| Photo 1. The bow saw. |
I thought this might be a nice complement to David Munkittrick's Hand Abrasive Planer. For those of us who collect homemade sanding blocks or need to sand around corners and curves, may I present to you this homemade bow sander. (Photo 1) I liked the look so much that I adapted it as my logo.
This bow sander is great for tight, curved places and works from both top and bottom. (Photo 2) It too, is made from a sandpaper belt. I used a 3". x 2" belt and split it lengthwise. The sander
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Photo 2. You can sand from the top side of the belt |
measures about 19" x 8" The arch can be any height and length you need it to be to get into and around those difficult pieces.
The attachment concept is simple, just two holes large enough to receive the sand paper belt wrapped around a 3/8" dowel rod. (Photo 3a & 3b)
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| Photo 3a. Dowel rod is used to secure the belt. |
Photo 3b. The belt slips through a slot. |
Cut a kerf large enough for the belt doubled to pass through it. Make a 3-sided bracket for the one end to create a sliding belt tensioner. (Photo 4a, 4b & 4c, 4d) I used two 1/4". hanger bolts to secure the bracket assembly. I was in a hurry at the time, or I would have purchased two nice looking wing nuts to class-it-up.
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Photo 4a. Slots cut in the bracket. |
Photo 4b. Notice the notch that allows the bracket to travel. |
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Photo 4c. Additional view of tensioner bracket and hanger bolts |
Photo 4d. Another view of the assembly. |
I also found that I can reposition the belt and get every last abrasive out of it. Don't you just hate to have to pitch a piece of sand paper that is still good on the ends?
Well there it is. Maybe your great grandchildren will look at yours someday and ask, "What was that thing for anyway?" (Photo 5).
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Photo 5. A view from the underside |
Jake is a registered member of WWGOA. See more of Jake's woodwork at his website, Saw Dust by Jake.
Submit your favorite woodworking tip or technique to editor@wwgoa.com and you could earn $100 if we publish your idea.
5 Comments
Posted November 04, 2009 // 9:13 AM Jake, I like your bow sander design. I think it will also be handy to use on a lathe. I will defenitely be making myself one. TomSam
Posted November 04, 2009 // 11:22 AM OH MY GOD!!! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT BEFORE?? I have stapled sand paper to wood, glued it to dowels but never have i thought of making it like a hand saw!!! well I made one ind its awesome, i got it in every grig now, so thank you so much. to see what i do go to www.aewoodentoys.com Alex
Posted November 04, 2009 // 12:07 PM Ingenious Going to have to build one for myself
Posted November 04, 2009 // 2:54 PM That looks like a great tool I should have had yesterday,while converting a dead hardwood sapling into a walking stick,using a section of the roots as a handle.Will make one before making another.
Posted November 04, 2009 // 10:06 PM Thanks guys, I'm glad you liked it. Jake