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Sanding sides with spring steel slats
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=44725		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  EddieLee [ Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Sanding sides with spring steel slats
I saw this video by Michael Greenfield on a way to sand side flat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-BfqRi3QCs

Looks like a great idea but where would you get spring steel those dimensions?
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Thu Dec 11, 2014 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sanding sides with spring steel slats
That is cool and I think I'll shop for some stock myself.

The place to go is McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) or similar industrial supply houses. Just enter "spring steel" and look at the rolled shim stock when it comes up as an option. Many thicknesses and widths available.

I use spring steel for bender slats since it doesn't take the set that usual stainless shim stock does, but you have to take care of it as it does tend to rust more readily. (and it can get away from you when you are taking a side out of the bender :o )

For me, shopping at McMaster-Carr is always a trip, as their local warehouse is about 10 miles away and there is always a truck on the way to the university. I have sometimes gotten my order delivered the same morning that I place it. Wowie!
Author:  TimAllen [ Thu Dec 11, 2014 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sanding sides with spring steel slats
I saw that video a while ago and, not having any spring steel, using my thickness sander I thinned down a scrap of Formica until it was flexible enough to follow the contour of the sides, but still springy. It worked.
Author:  giltzow [ Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sanding sides with spring steel slats
I have been using the spring steel slats that Mr. Greenfield recommended since the video came out. They work extremely well. Easily removing most of the 'bumps' and giving you a very uniform, smooth surface. I got the spring steel (lifetime supply) from McMaster-Carr. Highly recommend it and thanks to Michael Greenfield for that video - Mike
Author:  Nils [ Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sanding sides with spring steel slats
Another way I've heard of this being done is by using a sanding block made flexible by kerfs. I have yet to try this the spring steel but its on my list.
Author:  Pmaj7 [ Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sanding sides with spring steel slats
Cool idea. I have been meaning to try one made from plastic with curves cut in it also.

giltzow wrote:
Easily removing most of the 'bumps'


Do you still need to hit it with a block/tube afterwards?
Author:  uvh sam [ Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sanding sides with spring steel slats
The point behind this technique is to level the sides. Any sanding afterward should be done with a block to ensure the flatness remains
Author:  giltzow [ Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sanding sides with spring steel slats
pat macaluso wrote:
Cool idea. I have been meaning to try one made from plastic with curves cut in it also.

giltzow wrote:
Easily removing most of the 'bumps'


Do you still need to hit it with a block/tube afterwards?


I use the spring steel slats before cutting the binding ledges. I use them again after scraping the bindings and then use a block for final sanding.
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