Official Luthiers Forum!

Reading the current topic on the Grizzly pneumatic spindle sander got me to thinking about this. The Grizzly tool looks nice, but I think I would prefer a too where I could hold the work against it, rather than vice-versa. So I checked the archives and found that this topic was pretty thoroughly discussed back in October of last year. But I'd like to resurrect it to make some observations and to ask for additional comments.

In my ongoing quest to find a faster way to contour a classical neck heel, I visited both HD and Lowes today to see what they had to offer. HD sells a Rigid combo belt (edge) and spindle sander that seems to me to be a pretty good deal on the surface. Lowes didn't have any spindle sanders, but had a couple of Delta belt/disk sanders.

I like the idea of having both with the Rigid, but because the belt (and spindle) runs vertically, and because the table is fairly large in relation to the belt, it seems to me that I'll probably run into situations where I won't be able to hold the neck at an angle to get the sort of contour I'll need, whether I use the belt or the spindle -- due mostly to the fact that the heelblock is integral to the neck on a classical, adding another 2 to 3 inches to the overall length behind the heel. The Rigid's belt is not very long, and occupies pretty much just the center of the table. Here's a link to it.

HD also has at their website a Jet benchtop spindle sander. But because of the size of the table, I'm concerned that I might run into the same sort of movement restrictions.

Both the Delta combo disk/belt sanders I looked at at Lowes had horizontal belts, and the belts had several inches of overhang at one end. So it seems to me that, for contouring a classical heel, which has that recurved shape at the heel cap (and the problem with working around the heelblock), a belt sander such as one of these might be all I need.

Anyway, I'm growing weary of spending several hours with rasps and files to contour a single heel. So, if you were in my shoes, what would you be inclined to do?

Best,

MichaelMichael McBroom38817.5986342593

_________________
Live to Play, Play to Live

Hi Michael

First of all, nice to see you, haven't seen you on here in a while.

Another option would be a drill press mounted drum, I use this one.

Sanding Drum

I shape mine free hand, with the neck held vertically, only problem I have is I have to unscrew the handles from my drill press as they get in the way.

IMHO, this is a job for Harbor Freight.

I'm generally not a fan of HF tools, but their belt sander is the oldest and one of the best-used tools in my shop. It's especially good for neck heels.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnu mber=6852

I've got both a spindle sander and a 6x48 belt sander, and I don't really use either one for neck carving, I rough out the contour with a router and template which indexes off of the trussrod groove, then I carve with spokeshave, rasps, chisels, and sandpaper. It only takes an hour or two. Carving the neck is relaxing and I always look foreward to it.

Al

Michael, if you have a router table here is another option at Rockler. Granted, the PC spindle sander is expensive but you get the PC quality.

_________________
Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Michael take a look here at Pete Licis drum sander mounted on a 36" flexible shaft. Works great.

http://luthiersforum.3element.com/pages/jig_tools_tech/pete_ licis_heel_shaping_techniqu.htm

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Bob,

Thanks for that link. Right here at OLF, wouldn't ya know it

Guess I'm getting old. I shoulda thought of that. I have a set of those small sanding drums, but I've only used them on my drill press.   And my drill press is a bench top model, so it won't work for carving neck heels. I have a Foredom tool that spends most of its time collecting dust. Dunno if I can get a collet that big (1/4" dia shaft) for the handpiece I have, but I'm pretty sure they offer handpieces that take a drill-type chuck. I'd guess the chuck would open up that far.

Best,

MichaelMichael McBroom38817.8905324074

_________________
Live to Play, Play to Live

Michael, Lee Valley sells a "Heavy Duty Flex Shaft" that will mate nicely with the sanding drum BobC directed you to. Here's the link:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=31030&cat=1,13 0,43409

It might be a cheaper option than trying to find a collet or a handpiece for your Foredom. I'd also be concerned that the Foredom isn't robust enough.

I got a Microplane rotary shaper thing at Woodcraft. It looks like a cheese
grater. I think you're supposed to put it in a drill press but could probably
wield it in a corded drill if you are brave/insane.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5165

-Shawn
Centennial, CO

Hi Shawn, welcome to the OLF!

Serge

Thanks for the link, ANthony. Yup, that flex shaft would definitely be cheaper than a new Fordom handpiece. Looks to be very well made, too. I reckon I could chuck it up in my DeWalt laminate trimmer. That tool may be compact, but it's got plenty of grunt.

Shawn, I have a set of those Microplane shapers -- bought the set from Woodcraft last year when they had them on sale. I used the biggest one in my drill press a couple of times. Didn't really care for it cuz it chattered quite a lot.

Best,

Michael

_________________
Live to Play, Play to Live