Edge-Sanding Block

Precision sanding is a snap with this adjustable edge-sanding block.

ROUTED COVE ON EACH SIDE OF BODY CREATES SOLID GRIP

Osed alone or as a "base" for plastic laminate, plywood is a versatile material. But even with the best-looking plywood, you'll still want to cover the edges. I usually do this with some hardwood edging, like you see in the photo above.

EXPLODED VIEW

The problem is sanding the edging perfectly flush without going a little too far and sanding scratches in the face veneer or laminate.

Edge-Sanding Block - But with the edge-sanding block shown in Figure 1, that's not a problem any more. This block makes it easy to sand a piece of edging precisely — whether it's W wide or 2V4" wide.

3)

BODY

(2!4" x 614")

NOTE:

BODY IS GLUED UP FROM THREE LAYERS OF ³/4^m-THICK HARDWOOD

SIDE VIEW

SELF-

ADHESIVE

SANDPAPER

(c

FENCE

(3/4" x 6V4" -%"-THICK HARDWOOD)

!4"-20 x 1"

.J -Fh MACHINE

-y SCREW

b.

"7T

t I ,

BODY

^X W ROUND-OVER

SANDING PAD \

PLYWOOD OR MDF -

r ■

EDGING

i

/ /

FENCE

END VIEW

30

&

ShopNotes

Adjustable - This sanding block is precise because it's adjustable. To do this, a cork-backed sanding p^L can be positioned to match the wid^P of the edging and then locked in place by a fence (Figure lb).

Body - I started on the sanding block by making the body. The body (A) starts out as a 2¹/4^,l-thick hardwood blank. I found it easiest to glue up an oversized blank from three layers of ^:W'-thick material.

Once the glue dries, cut the blank to final size and then lay out the shape of the body on the side, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 2a. But before you cut the body to shape, there are a couple things to do.

The first thing is to provide a way to hold the pad in position and provide a "stop" as you sand. This is accomplished by a fence that will be added later (Figure lb).

Inserts - But to lock the fence in place, you'll need to install a set of threaded inserts. To do this, I drilled a hole in each corner of the bottom of the blank (Figures 2 and 2a). This way, you can install the fence either left- or right-handed work.

Once the holes are drilled, it's a good idea to install the threaded

No. 65