stereordinary Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I have tried a few different methods for radiusing fingerboards, and though my quest for making this necessary part of the process a quick and painless one is still in progress, at this time I have decided to do it with little more than a fingerboard radiusing block. Though IMO it is a time-consuming and finger-aching method, the results are consistent and worthwhile. Plus, I can choose from any radius I want, and somewhere around here there's even a tutorial on how to make your own. So this thread is all about tips and techniques for using this simple tool/method. I'm sure there are lots of great jigs and even some hand techniques that some of you use, but that's not what this is about. Let's talk about things that we do to make our fingerboard radiusing sanding blocks more effective, less back-breaking, and altogether better tools. What sandpaper can we recommend? How about pictures of our guide-rail jigs? Who makes the best blocks? Stew-Mac? LMII? Other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilikes2shred Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Well, I've never used a radius block because I buy my fingerboards already radiused. But if I did, I would attach a 40 grit belt sanding belt so it would go really fast and glue it to the bottom of an el-cheapo (harbor freight) finish sander. Should go pretty fast then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 If I had a little extra cash, I'd grab one of these: http://axehandle.net/gpage2.html The guy makes radius sanding blocks that are 16" long. That's almost as long as your entire fretboard. I figure that would save time and prevent error. I still use an 8" block, but it works ok for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anderekel Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Well if your goin' if we had extra cash, then I'd go with this....hehe http://www.grizzly.com/products/Radiusing-Sander/G0574 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpcrash Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 +1 Derek! In all honesty, I'm still in the sand and gauge stage. Not the most consistent method - but until someone complains... or I feel like spending cash on sanding blocks. Which ever ones I get, I'd love to find some with velcro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j. pierce Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Add a handle or handles. Even just a couple of ball handles (like at the toe end of a handplane) makes using the thing so much easier, for me. Particularly if you're running it between a couple of rails or something to keep it aligned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereordinary Posted December 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 (edited) Add a handle or handles. I was totally thinking that. It doesn't throw off your balance, causing you to lift it on either end? Oh, and thanks for the link to the 16" blocks dpm99 (Derek I guess?)! I'm totally gonna get me some of those! Edit: Just ordered one. I'm Paul by the way. Hi everyone! Edited December 7, 2008 by stereordinary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Oh, and thanks for the link to the 16" blocks dpm99 (Derek I guess?)! I'm totally gonna get me some of those! <-- Dave I've never used one of those. Let us know how they work out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anderekel Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Hi Paul, I'm Derek (look in the middle of my screenname... ) and I'm a wood addict.... hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereordinary Posted December 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I'll definitely report back on the 16" block. I'm hoping that's it's machined better than the StewMac one I have. That one has some tiny ridges in it that I actually think are affecting my work. And J. Pierce, since you have experience with this, where do you think I chouls add handles to this 16"-incher? Two inches in? Four maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick500 Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I have a 16" block that someone here on the forum made me. (Sorry, I forget who it was... maybe the same guy as the link goes to?) I built a jig for my router that I use to radius fretboards, but I think the block is still great for fine sanding. I do need to add handles though. Great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 i dont use a sanding block (to do most of the raduising) i use a router jig (2 rails and a raduised sled) i did however make a concave and convex one for each raduis so i can make long blocks (longer than the FB) to use as cauls and for final sanding Kenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticraft Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 I machined in a lathe a steel radiused sanding spindle which goes a drillpress. I have 80 grit paper glued to it and feed the fingerboard blank in against a back guide and do it in about 6 light passes thru. It works great and then I glue it to my perfectly flat bench with double sided tape and sand it to 400 with my Stew Mac radius block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 I machined in a lathe a steel radiused sanding spindle which goes a drillpress. I have 80 grit paper glued to it and feed the fingerboard blank in against a back guide and do it in about 6 light passes thru. It works great and then I glue it to my perfectly flat bench with double sided tape and sand it to 400 with my Stew Mac radius block. Have any pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammy Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 I have my friend with a CNC radius and slot them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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