Thread: Thinning wood?

Any opinions on the best way to thin wood stock for scales? I use a upsidedown belt sander and it always seems to come out uneven. Has anyone used a benchtop disk sander or a sanding drum on a drill press? Thanks!

In no way cost effective on a small scale,But a great tool should you have a need.
STEWMAC.COM : Luthiers Friend Sanding Station

I like uneven wood, more of a natural look.

A well sharpened and tuned block plane is your friend.

I've planed wood to 1/16 inch consistently and well.

The best part is, after planing you go directly to 400 grit sandpaper if its a rough wood or even 600 if its tight grained.

Here's how I thin my stock: http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...pping-jig.html

Thanks for the input everyone! I'll have to take a look at these options

Here is a thread to browse

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ng-planer.html

make sure you read all the way through as there are several options in there..

After all the ideas that came up in that thread I solved my problems with it and it cost me less the $5

g

Thanks! I think I'll give the sanding drum attachment to a drill press a shot, see how it works for me.

I've used a orbital sander and I can tell you that going from 1/4 to just under 1/8 takes FOREVER. That was till I got a belt sander. What I find that makes it easier to get the wood even is to be almost if not eye level with the wood and sander. Helps me control the pressure. I will also measure the wood every few seconds when I start getting to the thickness that I want. That way I can see if I have it even and can work from there.

@gssixgun can you tell us which solution that was? I'm still having trouble creating good scales. The shape isn't the problem.