instructables
THE ULTIMATE SANDING BLOCK
by I SIMPLY BUILT IT
Introduction :
I always wanted to make a sanding block where I don’t have to hold the sand paper in place, and where the grit change goes really quick.
I found a sanding block in a online store which can do exactly what I want. So I decided to make one my own. I don’t know if my mechanics are the same but I made it as simple as possible.
My YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HAg66Em50PZyVGQ0LTDOg
Supplies:
What you will need :
1/2" (12mm) Plywood 3/4" (21mm) Plywood 3/8“ Axle (A tube, a rod or even a wooden dowel will maybe work) Wood glue Screws Sanding belts
The tools that I used :
Table saw Band saw Miter saw Power drill Drill press Disc sander
You can also use other tools to do some of the steps like a jig saw or even a hand saw.
THE ULTIMATE SANDING BLOCK: Page 1 Step 1: Cutting the Lever
Next I have drawn the shape of the lever to 21mm plywood, drilled the hole and cuted it also out at the band saw.
After that I have sand it to the nal shape.
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Step 2: Cutting the Three Layers
I rst have cut out the parts of the three layers from 1/2" cut it with the table saw. But a band saw or even a jig (12mm) and 3/4"(21mm) plywood. The top and bottom saw will work also. Cutting by hand should also work if layer are identical except the hole for the axle. you have the skills.
The center layer is almost identical to the two other Important is, that each small part easily can slide in the layers. Just the dimensions are di erent. associated bigger part.
You can cut out the shapes with the tools you prefer. I Download https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F0W/WQZT/K20QC217/F0WWQZTK20QC217.tif
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Step 3: Cutting the Center Layer to Final Shape
Then I have drawn the nal shape of the center layer to the plywood and have cut it out at the band saw.
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Step 4: Making the Axle
Then I have cut the axle to length. I used a steel tubing. A solid steel rod or a wooden dowel from hardwood should work too. Use what you have on hand.
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Step 5: Assemble the Basic Sanding Block
The next step was, to glue up the parts. I used glue and nails for all the pieces, except the top layer. To have the top layer removable, i just screwed it on, just in case I have to make some adjustments.
Before I screwed it nally together, I set in the axle and the lever.
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Step 6: Bringing the Sanding Block Into the Final Shape
The last step was to cut and sand it to the nal shape. I have cut the angle on the front on the miter saw. then I have sand the bigger radius at the back of the sanding block in small steps. I just have grind a small amount of material in each step, and tried the sanding block with a sanding belt after every step until I had the radius as big as the locking mechanism works perfect.
And then I made the nal assembly.
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Step 7: Video of the Making :
https://youtu.be/kZkwgGuiqrE
Step 8: Instructional Document (Plans) THE ULTIMATE SANDING BLOCK: Page 4 UPDATE : If you want to support me with the purchase of the plans, you can order it here : Due to the corona crisis, I lost my job. I get nancial support from the state until I nd a new job but for a www.isimplybuiltit.com maximum of 1 year. Since this nancial support is a lot less than I got before, I am dependent on earning a bit of Thank you very much. money on the side. So I decided to sell the plans for the sanding block from now on. I made the variant of Tonyi. It works very well.
Hallo Philipp, ich habe das Geld überwiesen und weiss nicht wie ich an die Pläne komme. Kannst du mir helfen. Danke im voraus. Jürgen Amazing job! Thanks so much for sharing all of the wonderful details. I can’t wait to build a couple of them!! Great project and thanks for sharing the detailed plans. You obviously spend a fair bit of time on the instructions as making the item, well done.
It's good to see how you make the adjustable slider mechanism.
After seeing your good design, and pondering about it, I have come up with a slightly different method of using 2 x 15deg wedges top and bottom to tension the slider, (see attached) this gives several advantages (i think) ... - gives a continuous flat edge to sand through no gaps in the flat planes. - no pivoting mechanics to make, trim & wear out. - less complex to make. - easier to cut using straight cuts (a drop saw only). - design allows for a ~10mm of tension movement (but could be modified it you want more). - for different length belts just make up a new longer leading wood section to suit and keep the old one as a spare for when needed
Hi. That's a good idea. For some of us, this will be the right solution. My goal was to make it fast in belt change. Unlock, belt on, lock. But for some who has not all the tools which are needed, this seems to be the perfect alternative. Good work. Because of your detailed plans, I was able to interpret them into vectors and cut on my CNC. Additional work was done at our local SLOMakerSpace; to whom I gave one of the sanding blocks. I did discover that depending on the brand of belt you buy, you may need to make adjustments to the overall length.
THE ULTIMATE SANDING BLOCK: Page 5 As others have said, it would be nice if there were measured plans for this build; especially the cam and the pivot point positioning. Going to your U tube page only pointed me back to this instructable. As an instructable, we need a little more than just "how I did it". This is a great little sanding block and I can figure it all out. There is a Instruction Document with Drawings you can download on this Page.
THANK YOU. The pdf I downloaded was the Instructables' pdf of your article, not your specific plans/tutorial; that's why I didn't see any drawings. (And us Luddites in the US appreciate your converting to inches.) ;-) Nice design! But I wish you'd given us a plan drawing of the lever/cam and sliding piece together, so we could how the cam works. You undoubtedly made such a drawing when you were designing the thing, so why not show us that? That way we could understand the principle, not just the specifics. :-) There is a Instruction Document with Drawings you can download on this Page.
Nice work! I'm afraid I'd be too lazy for this. God, wish someone made a printable 3D model from/for this! Very clever idea! genius
Well done instructions, Philipp. I plan to make some 3"x21" sanding blocks soon. And better than kudos, I sent you a token for your effort. "A person who can make things with their hands will always find happiness." looks good. very complicated. years ago i needed one and i took a piece of 2x4x4" long, wrapped the sandpaper around it and stapled the edges to the block and voila... withing a couple of minutes i had a sanding block and I still use it... This looks very good, I may build one for myself because I'm always trying different ways to hold the sandpaper using a block of wood. My last attempt rendered the sandpaper and the block of wood useless when I tried to separate them. I don't know if it matters to the overall design and size, but 3/4" is equivalent to 19mm, while 21mm is close to 13/16". I made mine out of oak and meranti. I added also the logo of some of my friends.
Many thanks for sharing your drawings & instruction !!!
Thank you very much for the plans.
THE ULTIMATE SANDING BLOCK: Page 6 Awesome plans - have needed something like this for a while. My current sanding blocks take too much time to set up. Excellent. I have been planning on making something like this but never got my head around how to tension the belt. Thank you for showing us how it is done. You get my vote. Great idea! I would like to have a few of these with different grit papers. I see its easy enough to change the belts but being able to just grab the next grit and go would be convenient. And hey if they are free why not. Nice job, and good luck in the contest. nöd schlächt - gseht guät us Gruss aus Stäfa Nice one! I have a little tip about sanding belts in the size you've chosen. They can often be found in Lidl stores, because they fit a small belt sander, named Parkside, sold there. I recently bought three packed sets with six different grain sizes for only € 2 each in Lidl - they also fits my own sander, produced by Skill. Really nice job on this :)
Thank you!
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