Sanding In Small or Tight Areas

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TD1701
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Joined: Tue May 04, 2004 9:43 pm
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Sanding In Small or Tight Areas

Post by TD1701 »

Hi Everyone,

I'm building an older AMT/ERTL Vulcan Shuttle, and I have a question. What is the best way of sanding in small or tight areas? I've been using step sanders but, I'm not too pleased with the results. There are some tight areas and sharp angles on this kit, and my fat fingers just can't seem to get in there with regular sand paper. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great! I'm posting a couple of pictures just to show my dilemma,

Thanks,

Tom

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac32 ... .13.06.jpg

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac32 ... .12.18.jpg

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac32 ... .16.47.jpg
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Rogviler
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Post by Rogviler »

I personally like these little foam sticks with different grits on them... The catch is you'll have to walk down the nail polish aisle. ;)

But the nice thing is that you can trim them if you need a sharp point or specific shape.

-Rog
TD1701
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Joined: Tue May 04, 2004 9:43 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Post by TD1701 »

Thanks Rog. I'm married so, walking down the nail polish is no problem here. :) Maybe I'll wander over to Walgreen's and take a look!

Tom
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Post by gsb5w »

That really was a Hattori Hanzo sword.
kenlilly106
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Post by kenlilly106 »

I'd avoid the plastic sanding needles, I tried them and wasn't impressed.

My personal choice for sanding tight areas is a popsicle stick (or similar) with the ends cut square and beveled. I wrap wet or dry of the appropriate grit around the end and sand wet. It can get into tight spots and is rigid enough to allow you to put some pressure on it. I use the lengthwise edge of the stick to sand long inside corners as well.

Ken
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Post by seam-filler »

All good suggestions, but don't forget needle files and riffler files.
"I'd just like to say that building large smooth-skinned models should be avoided at all costs. I now see why people want to stick kit-parts all over their designs as it covers up a lot of problems." - David Sisson
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Post by zemjw »

Something I saw recommended but haven't yet tried is finishing strips for dental work - Amazon UK link
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Kylwell
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Post by Kylwell »

I'll use popsicle sticks carved to shape with sanding film CA'd to them. Or even bamboo chopsticks carved to shape.
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Lt. Z0mBe
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Post by Lt. Z0mBe »

I almost always use little pieces of rubber I hand cut into a wedge shape. The rubber came from an old sanding block. The rubber is a half inch wide by maybe a half-inch deep from point to wide end. The wide end being approximately 1/16th of an inch deep.

Here's an image of a similar one I cast out of silicone rubber that is just a little longer, has slots for the paper to wind through, and has a shallower taper:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/ ... 1_3691.jpg

I think you get the idea. I use the regular rubber ones for nearly all sanding, cutting my 3M sandpaper into little ribbons as I need it. Coolest thing about this method is it allows really "focused" sanding if need be or more general sanding depending upon how you hold the wedge.

I hope this helps a bit.

Kenny

www.sigmalabsinc.com


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TD1701
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Joined: Tue May 04, 2004 9:43 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Post by TD1701 »

Thanks so much guys for all of your replies, and suggestions!!! :D I went the hobby shop where I bought both the sanding needles, and Popsicle sticks. What worked best for me were the popsicle sticks. I cut off the end and wrapped some 320 grit around the squared end, sanded the edge where the fame meets the inside and outside of the nacelles. Also to get into those grooves at the tips of the nacelles. It worked beautifully, and I'm so happy with the result. I plan to get some primer on it in a day or two to see what I may have missed or, what I need to fix. Here's a couple of pics with my progress so far.

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac32 ... .01.39.jpg

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac32 ... .02.55.jpg


Have a great weekend!

Tom
TD1701
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Post by TD1701 »

Well, it took longer than I thought to get some primer on. I did finally give it a nice coat of Krylon gray primer and then found a few flaws to clean up. Over all it turned out pretty nice, and with some touch up filling and sanding it will look pretty sweet. Here's a couple of pictures of my progress.

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac32 ... .53.39.jpg

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac32 ... .54.31.jpg
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