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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 Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on February 4, 2014 at 4:36pm

This one is the one used...it's a belt sander...90 bucks?

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on February 4, 2014 at 5:47pm

Craftsman? That's a nice tool... go to HF for belts... they're dirt cheap there...

That'll cost you the same as a HF tool, but last a lifetime...

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on February 4, 2014 at 6:09pm

Might just go for it...there seems to be a variety of sanding type tools. Palm sanders, dremels, belt sanders...I suppose that the craftsman is a good deal.....I think the belt sander and one of those multi purpose oscillating tools and a dremel might cover the bases for a while...

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on February 4, 2014 at 6:20pm

Any small palm sander should do you just fine. I have that HF sander for shaping, and do the rest by hand. It doesn't take too long unless I'm working with maple...

Besides, I need the exercise. I find that sanding by hand helps my bad shoulder...

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on February 5, 2014 at 6:33am

I use a Dewalt random orbit palm sander as a midway step for contoured pieces. For flat surfaces I use a combination of a rasp and paper on flat blocks (or another flat surface). I have done most of my necks without the use of a power tool other than a drill. Mostly the palm sander is used for removing the plane and rasp marks. The plane and rasp do all the contouring.

I just bought my first spokeshave at an antique shop. Can't wait to use that.

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Permalink Reply by Primitive Acoustics on February 5, 2014 at 6:50am

I used a Stanley 51 spokeshave on my last two necks and really learned to like it after a short learning curve.

I like it because it's easy to control, no dust, little followup hand sanding and I like the feel of the wood as it passes the blade.

I have not tried it on red oak yet but will on my next build.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on February 5, 2014 at 9:13am

I'm looking forward to trying it. I developed a technique for using a small block plane to get the resulting rounded and tapered neck that I like, but it isn't ideal for the job, especially at inside angles.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on February 5, 2014 at 7:56am

Orbit sander looks good so far. I so need to straighten up a mistake in a gouge or two. Not sure what type of sander is best. Already tried a rasp...going later to hardware store ...

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on February 5, 2014 at 9:14am

A random orbit is a good all-around sander. It won't get away from you like belt or disc sanders can. I stick to 120-220 grit papers. Fast enough to work, slow enough to not screw up.

Oh, and if possible, I highly recommend getting a type that will connect up to your ShopVac so you can collect most of the dust you're going to make. I really try to remove as much as possible with a blade before going to make dust with paper.