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Sander recommendation

Can someone recommend a small electric sander for level wood and small projects ...mainly necks. I saw a multipurpose tool at harbor freight for about 30 bucks but not sure. I don't need anything too fancy or expensive and would appreciate some advice. Thank you

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Permalink Reply by Order99 on February 4, 2014 at 2:55pm

My go sander is my Dremel. Between the various sanding and buffing drum attachments i'm fairly well set for fine, delicate sanding. For the larger stuff I still find that a combination of metal rasp (for medium grain work with no tearing of fibers) and various grit adhesive sanding disks-folded sideways into half-moons for manual work-is still my go-to method. For anything larger and coarser than 100 grit or so i'm probably looking at a small hand planer.

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Permalink Reply by Groucho on February 4, 2014 at 2:55pm

A Black & Decker mouse sander is what I've got and it works great. But, I still like to do the fine sanding by hand .

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on February 4, 2014 at 4:44pm

This maybe what I'm looking for other than the small details...which maybe a dremel might be better? Also while we're on the subject how about an inexpensive straight ELECTRIC saw for cutting straight lines? Basically just to cut basic neck pieces..

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on February 4, 2014 at 3:37pm

Are you looking for a hand sander or a belt sander?

I have this one: just get some 120 grit belts: http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sand...

Most of the HF tools aren't terribly durable, but I use mine for light duty work...

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Permalink Reply by Jim Woods on February 5, 2014 at 4:55am

That is a good sander. I have used this 21" belt sander from HF for $30

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-x-21-in-belt-sander-69859.html

Have had it over ten years. I am amazed at how well it works and how long it lasted. I made a cradle to fit the back so I can clamp it upside down to make a very inexpensive bench sander.

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Permalink Reply by Richard G Caudill on February 6, 2014 at 12:24am

I got this same sander ,, read the reviews and follow the set up the guy recommends.It is reasonably small compact,, and just does a terrific job ! Was afraid to try this , but put a spacer in the back of last build for decoration,, Routed it out ,,left the round ends ,, on the flat sander ,, wicky,, wicky and the insert were round !

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on February 4, 2014 at 3:59pm

I use a combo of Black and Decker belt sander (21" belts, 80-120 grit for the coarse shaping) held upside down in a bench vise, a rasp, a B&D mouse palm sander for fine and tight corners, a Dremel with discs, stones and cylinders for really fine or minor touch up / knockdown, and 220 grit by hand for final sanding before staining / oiling. Then steel wool between oiling passes (usually 3-4). Rough sanding a neck curve and headstock takes me maybe 20 minutes, eyeballing and going slowly with multiple passes. About 45-60 minutes overall for a final product if I'm not interrupted.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on February 6, 2014 at 5:14am

Curious which dremel model you use and if its tough enough to cut tbrough wood and metal pieces...thx

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on February 4, 2014 at 4:25pm

Looking for a electric hand sander. There's a used belt sander ...it's a belt sander...not really sure whats the difference? Right now I have a non electric palm sander..too much on the arms and hands