I think for it to be really good at shaping scales you would have to be able to get some fairly coarse grit belts for it. Personally I like to do my rough shaping on a small belt sander held in my vice. I might be a bit haywire at times but it is quite effective. I have a vacuum attachment so it makes it a little more friendly that way. Whatever machine you use for sanding a vacuum makes all the difference when it comes to smells and dust.