Curt B Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Hey All, Probably a really stupid question coming from someone with as much modeling time as I have under my belt, but since I'm going to be doing quite a large number of jet aircraft intakes that I will do mostly with out of the box parts (that is, they WON'T be seamless), ideally, I'd like a cylindrically shaped, soft sanding 'stick', small enough in diameter to allow for doing really good sanding of the joints in the corners of the air intakes too make them look as seamless as possible, so the diameter of the cylinder should be fairly small, and with various grades of grit. Frankly, I've never heard of sanding tools like that, to give as close to a seamless look as possible. SO, if no such thing exists, what to YOU do to make your air intake corners look as seamless as possible. All ideas welcome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 I wrap sandpaper around wooden dowels of different diameters. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Check Amazon out. They have many varieties. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thegoodsgt Posted August 31, 2023 Share Posted August 31, 2023 49 minutes ago, airmechaja said: Check Amazon out. They have many varieties. Can you provide a link? I'm looking but not finding anything cylindrical. 😥 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share Posted August 31, 2023 8 hours ago, habu2 said: I wrap sandpaper around wooden dowels of different diameters. That is, no doubt, the easiest way to go. I have the Small Shop Rolling and Forming set, which includes a variety of wood and metal rods of differing diameters, and wrapping sandpaper around an appropriate diameter rod would do the trick. The only aspect is a lack of 'softness', but I could cut a thin piece of foam to use under the sandpaper sheet. It seems so obvious, now, can't imagine why I didn't think of it Of course, a pre-made version of that would make things even easier! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cat Barf Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 I've had good luck with these. I've even put them in dremels tp speed up the process. The heads are foam rubber with an abrasive coating. https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/H203394TL?gclid=Cj0KCQjw9MCnBhCYARIsAB1WQVVECaIgR7fok2ThY5fYp5PPfn9AkxH1Q8bSlJ84vaURaX0ScydWei4aAjluEALw_wcB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helmsman Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 (edited) On 8/31/2023 at 7:36 AM, Curt B said: That is, no doubt, the easiest way to go. I have the Small Shop Rolling and Forming set, which includes a variety of wood and metal rods of differing diameters, and wrapping sandpaper around an appropriate diameter rod would do the trick. The only aspect is a lack of 'softness', but I could cut a thin piece of foam to use under the sandpaper sheet. It seems so obvious, now, can't imagine why I didn't think of it Of course, a pre-made version of that would make things even easier! Not a foam but double sided mounting tape, same as on sanding sticks. I also use small rectangular wooden planks for the same purpose. GWH Flanker kits are great example calling for such tool. Edited October 7, 2023 by Helmsman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scorvi Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Does this fit teh bill? Sandits: 400/800 Grit Round Tip Sanding Stick w/Plastic Stem (5.5") (8/Pk) Hobby Stix https://www.megahobby.com/products/sandits-400-800-grit-round-tip-sanding-stick-w-plastic-stem-5-5-8-pk-hobby-stix.html Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted September 3, 2023 Author Share Posted September 3, 2023 @ Cat Barf and scorvi: WOW! Both of you have come up with almost exactly what I had in mind with my original question!!!!! The picture I had in my head was somewhat different than the items you suggested, but, I realized that what I was thinking would have been too long, and would probably have cause all kinds of havoc with the ends of intakes where they intersect with the intake 'front housings'. The items you found are, in fact, even better than what I'd had in mind, better suited to the purpose! Thank you so much for this info!!! @Helmsman: I have several of the GWH Flankers (not yet built), but I haven't noted, in their instructions, that they call out tools like this. Then again, I miss a lot! 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helmsman Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 (edited) On 9/3/2023 at 7:17 AM, Curt B said: @Helmsman: I have several of the GWH Flankers (not yet built), but I haven't noted, in their instructions, that they call out tools like this. Then again, I miss a lot! 🙂 Well, not instructions but my building experience(built two of them). This applies to KH flankers as well. Edited September 5, 2023 by Helmsman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted September 6, 2023 Author Share Posted September 6, 2023 17 hours ago, Helmsman said: Well, not instructions but my building experience(built two of them). This applies to KH flankers as well. Ahh, okay, I get you now. What you meant was that the plastic, as GWH designed it, would greatly benefit from using these tools to reduce any seams. I would agree with that! Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Abrasives-Plastic-Sanding-Needles/dp/B01LEC98AU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=MLESHAWDIC8Y&keywords=plastic+sanding+needles&qid=1694069066&sprefix=plastic+sanding+needles%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted September 7, 2023 Author Share Posted September 7, 2023 8 hours ago, utley said: https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Abrasives-Plastic-Sanding-Needles/dp/B01LEC98AU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=MLESHAWDIC8Y&keywords=plastic+sanding+needles&qid=1694069066&sprefix=plastic+sanding+needles%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-5 Another good one! I’m embarrassed to have missed so many of these types of sanding tools before beginning this thread. Thanks for this! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helmsman Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 9 hours ago, utley said: https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Abrasives-Plastic-Sanding-Needles/dp/B01LEC98AU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=MLESHAWDIC8Y&keywords=plastic+sanding+needles&qid=1694069066&sprefix=plastic+sanding+needles%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-5 Hobby Lobby sells them for 20% of that price. But they are hard and not convenient to use IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 (edited) They are, yeah. I found my set at hobby lobby, but just pulled that off amazon just to ID them. And yeah, they suck for the most part, but they're useful in tight spots. Edited September 7, 2023 by utley Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck1945 Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 32 minutes ago, Helmsman said: Hobby Lobby sells them for 20% of that price. But they are hard and not convenient to use IMO. I think I got those from Sprue Bros a few years and agree with Helmsman and utley. I don’t do jets so no idea if they would work on intake interiors, but when I have used them it has been for pin point sanding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted September 8, 2023 Author Share Posted September 8, 2023 I'm going to start with a few different ones from Fire Mountain Gems, and see how they work. If they don't work well, I'll expand the ones I get until I find the best ones for me. These are the ones I ordered: http://image1.fmgstatic.com/images/p5295BSb.jpg Emery paper, paper and wood, assorted colors, 1/0 to 6/0 grit, 6-inch cone with 5-3/4 x 3/4 inch cone handle. Sold per 7-piece set. H20-5295BS Quantity: 1 $10.44 http://image1.fmgstatic.com/images/p3393TLb.jpg Sanding swab, 3-1/2 inches with 15x6mm sanding tip, 1500-12000 grit. Sold per 9-piece set. H20-3393TL Quantity: 1 $24.17 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted September 9, 2023 Share Posted September 9, 2023 Basically an elongated pencil eraser with embedded abrasive is what is needed. In several sizes and grades. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breadneck Posted October 7, 2023 Share Posted October 7, 2023 On 9/7/2023 at 8:44 AM, utley said: https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Abrasives-Plastic-Sanding-Needles/dp/B01LEC98AU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=MLESHAWDIC8Y&keywords=plastic+sanding+needles&qid=1694069066&sprefix=plastic+sanding+needles%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-5 Those are no good. They have two "sides" that don`t seem to line up with each other making for a nasty ridge running all along the tool. You can assimilate it to flash on a plastic kit. Also, they are not 100% round which is a crying shame. Just like with some of the Evergreen rods you would think they were 100% cylindrical, but they are not 😞 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted October 7, 2023 Share Posted October 7, 2023 They're not made for shaving out cylinders, they're made for tight spaces. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breadneck Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 20 hours ago, utley said: They're not made for shaving out cylinders, they're made for tight spaces. There are other MUCH better tools for that. Those things in your link are just cheap low quality stuff made to sell for a quick buck. I was very let down when i received mine. Also, this is a typical "generic" item branded by many different manufacturers who, let`s face it are less concerned about the quality and more about the income. When you work on your models, of course you want your tools to be either perfectly round or perfectly flat, not "somewhere" in the middle, still not known by man. There is something called "jewellers pearl reamer" and those are fantastic for small jobs. They are tapered and pointy unlike the regular files. These are historically not marketed towards our hobby so you sort of have to know about them, lol. https://www.etsy.com/de-en/listing/639944340/3pcs-set-pearl-reamer-extra-fine-handle?click_key=ce5988ea661a64e25bd5c7d9902c897650f5bf22%3A639944340&click_sum=efbec262&external=1&rec_type=cs&ref=pla_similar_listing_top-6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099WN84GM/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B099WN84GM&pd_rd_w=dp0lu&content-id=amzn1.sym.eb7c1ac5-7c51-4df5-ba34-ca810f1f119a&pf_rd_p=eb7c1ac5-7c51-4df5-ba34-ca810f1f119a&pf_rd_r=HM99A8ABGYYRWTYKHHYG&pd_rd_wg=dYFIx&pd_rd_r=bd853953-b8f6-4275-aa99-a781d82c1368&s=industrial&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw https://www.ebay.com/itm/295953883366?hash=item44e839e0e6:g:nwIAAOSw5vxlFeTY https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Reamers-6-Piece-Plastic-Coated-Protective/dp/B00VUFSMBS These invaluable tools pick up the slack where the classic round files get too big. Also, regular "micro" reamers are available if you spend some time browsing gooGle. I got mine from Shesto.UK but that was over 10 years ago so i`m not seeing any of them there anymore. I always treat my models like pearls, don`t you? 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 No, I throw my models across the room hoping to strike my dogs. For sanding in small, tight areas they work just fine. Yes, they arent great but they arent bad either. Their grit isnt overly aggressive, they have a nice bit of flex in them which come in handy if you need to shape them to fit a contour, and they are plastic. Makes it really easy to blend in a curved radius on the inside of an intake trunk without scratching the hell out of the plastic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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