What is the best way to sand inside small curves?

[scotchleaf]

I was working on a kit knife today, and had real trouble sanding where the wooden handle hits the guard - even a 1 by 30 belt grinder cant get in there too well. The dremel sanding drums are too hard to control and too rough/small for me. I didn't try a drum sander on the drill press, is that the way to go? I just put a lot of elbow grease into it and will have to live with some imperfections. Here is another guy's work on the kit I'm talking about:

 

[lastbrunneng]

I've used drum sanders and dremel bits in the drill press to good effect. A half round file or dowells with sandpaper work as well.

 

[Jason Fry]

Best trick for that... get a wooden dowel rod. I've used 3/8 and 1/2 the most. Use a coping saw or some other narrow kerf blade to cut a slot lengthwise down a piece of dowel. Put a piece of your favorite sandpaper in the slot. Instant drum sander. I used mine the most in my drill press, but it also works in a hand drill.

 

[MJV]

Files will do that job surprisingly fast. Follow that up with some hand sanding with sandpaper backed up with a firm backer. I am guessing you are having problems with the wood being sanded out lower than the guard?

 

[scotchleaf]

Jason: thanks for the idea. How does the slot work to hold the sandpaper? How do you keep one end of the paper from flapping? Do you put both ends of the sandpaper into the slot?

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Files will do that job surprisingly fast. Follow that up with some hand sanding with sandpaper backed up with a firm backer. I am guessing you are having problems with the wood being sanded out lower than the guard?

Full thick cow hide or doubled over 9oz makes a backing with just the right amount of give for handsanding