[cyclopsblown34]

I can't remember who posted the comments regarding aluminum sanding blocks but thank you whoever it was. I have achieved flatter panels than ever before by just that one tip. I went to the local machine shop and got some of the "short" pieces and cut and sanded them to my satisfaction. Wow, they improved my work substantially and for minimal cash outlay, just my time in making them just right.

Thanks again whoever it was,
Chip.

[baddbob]

Aluminum works nice, plexiglass also works well for smaller sticks and blocks. I've made quite a few of my own boards and blocks and they do work better than store bought IMO. Keep them flat and straight and round the edges and corners slightly and they'll work excellent. You're workproducts will only be as straight and flat as the tools that were used to sand it with.

[ShadetreeBody]

i use 1/4 Plexi as my block i have them from 7" to 26" the only blocks that i have ever purchased were the durablock round and teardrop blocks

[lowROLLERchevy]

get a cheap sanding block and epoxy it to your aluminium / plexi sanding block, then you have a handle AND the flaps that hold your paper down

[ShadetreeBody]

and also i came across a bunch of torn up CP straight line sanders what were torn up, and sold by a Hudson's Store from Harbor Freight, i got a bundle of 8 for $50, i soaked them in mystery oil and 3 of them unfroze, but the others I just used the lower part of them and mounted some homemade handles on them and now i cant put them down!

[awert]

And how do you guys hold the paper to the block??? especially if it's a big block, over 10" say......

[cyclopsblown34]

Originally Posted by awert

And how do you guys hold the paper to the block??? especially if it's a big block, over 10" say......

If block sanding, I use adhesive backed long board paper. I have also used spray adhesive on the back of the paper. I usually make my block to dimensions that I can fold color sanding paper around them. They are just a touch narrower than the paper and the corners are rounded so I don't gouge the finish.

[ShadetreeBody]

Originally Posted by cyclopsblown34

If block sanding, I use adhesive backed long board paper. I have also used spray adhesive on the back of the paper. I usually make my block to dimensions that I can fold color sanding paper around them. They are just a touch narrower than the paper and the corners are rounded so I don't gouge the finish.

same here I use sticky paper and keep a spray adhesive handy for when my filler dust gets in there and causes the paper to loose its adhesion.