Thread: Sander Recommendations for Scale Shaping

I grabbed one of those $50 Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sanders specifically for working on scales and it's been fantastic. I much prefer it to the 4x36.

It's small enough that I just stow it under my workbench when I'm not specifically using it. The 4x36 goes under there too, but it's a bit more cumbersome to haul out.

What makes the 1x30 nice is you can loosen the backing plate and push into the slack of the belt a bit, which is great for rounded-profile scales.

Mind you, the HF one is not quality goods, but it's good enough to get the job done (just be sure to hook it up to a shop vac for dust collection).

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

What makes the 1x30 nice is you can loosen the backing plate and push into the slack of the belt a bit, which is great for rounded-profile scales.

Creating the rounded profile is what I'm after. I've also been looking at a JET 2" x 46" belt / disc sander combo. Reviews said that the backing platen can be removed. Do you think 2" belt would be too wide compared to the 1" (Grizzly sells a 1" combo).

I've used a scrapper too and sanded by hand, but I'd like to have some power tool options too! Hell, why not, right?

+1 with voidmonster on the harbor freight 1x30 belt sander. i use the 4x36 to rough shape and thin scales but the 1x30 to do all the rounding and final shaping. works great.

I use 1x42" Kalamazoo grinder for the rough work, then finish by hand.

My 2 1/2 x 48 belt sander is a product of Texas Knife Makers Supply. I bought it 30 years ago, I guess that qualifies as durable.
The belt in the photo is a 30 micron, it's only good for putting final touches on a knife blade. I use 60 and 80 grit belts for shaping scales.

That luthiers friend look prety cool. Not that im going to go buy one. But hooked up to a drill press i bet you could make the thickness perfect. Not too sure how well it would work on shaping.

Originally Posted by Gasman

That luthiers friend look prety cool. Not that im going to go buy one. But hooked up to a drill press i bet you could make the thickness perfect. Not too sure how well it would work on shaping.

yeah, i use it for getting the thickness even (something i can't seem to do well any other way.