Sanding small inside radii

[NOBLNG]

I really like these Infini sanding pads. They also come in about 1”x6” flexible sticks. I recently discovered a way to sand tight inside curves by folding a small strip of the pad over and clamping it in a forceps. The closer to the bend you clamp it…the smaller the diameter. Virtually any small radius is possible to suit your needs.

Greg.

 

Edited September 23, 2023 by NOBLNG

[ColonelKrypton]

That is an excellent idea and I will give it try.

Up to now I have been using 3m Super Flexible Sanding Sheets  https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MMM31851  folded over and used in a similar way. However, being thinner and more flexible they tend to create a less round end. I have resorted to folding the sanding sheet over a small diameter rod in order to make it more round.

If you are not familiar with this 3m product, it is a silicon carbide sanding sheet which has a thin flexible rubberized woven backing; maybe about 2mm total thickness, perhaps a bit more. Available in grits up to 1200.

 

cheers, Graham

[NOBLNG]

6 minutes ago, ColonelKrypton said:

If you are not familiar with this 3m product, it is a silicon carbide sanding sheet which has a thin flexible rubberized woven backing; maybe about 2mm total thickness, perhaps a bit more. Available in grits up to 1200.

 

cheers, Graham

I have not seen that product. 3M also makes a Trizact pad that is similar to the Infini, but it seems to have a “grain” to it…almost like a file. It doesn’t last as long in my experience either.

[ColonelKrypton]

I am not familiar with the Trizact product; I have not seen it locally. Same for the Infini sanding pads.

What I do find locally is another 3m product - https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40066306/  3M™ Performance Soft Sanding Sponge that is more similar to the Infini pads and the Tamiya sanding sponge. 

I tend to use what I find locally and what I find locally can be hit and miss especially after I find something I really like and can't be found the next time I go looking for it.

cheers, Graham 

 

[Steve H]

Another awesome tip Greg! Yet another sanding technique to have in the arsenal. Seems we can’t have enough, there’s always some difficult shape that needs cleaning up. 

[Skip]

Greg - That's a great idea! Normally either use needle files or rifflers to get to inside radii, have to try it.

[Zoom Zoom]

Good tip ? 

FYI an inside radius is commonly referred to as a fillet radius or more commonly a fillet. Car designers/clay modelers/engineers etc. just say fillet. Easier to type as well. 

Not the same spelling as a filet mignon or a Filet-O-Fish ?

[slusher]

Good tips Greg, sanding tips are so important. I haven’t seen the infinity x sanding pads yet but will check Lowe’s and my local hardware store.

[Keef]

3 hours ago, Zoom Zoom said:

Good tip ? 

FYI an inside radius is commonly referred to as a fillet radius or more commonly a fillet. Car designers/clay modelers/engineers etc. just say fillet. Easier to type as well. 

Not the same spelling as a filet mignon or a Filet-O-Fish ?

TOTALLY opposite ends of the food spectrum ????