DIY Bow Sander

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I saw a project by RyanGi posted here and at another sight.
This project has been posted on other sites too.

I thought that’s a great sander. I wondered if I could make one that uses a 1” x 20” sanding belt?

Here’s what I came up with. 
The saw blade grove is what makes hiding the 1”x20” belt inside the handle possible.


I haven’t included photos of the top tension piece being cut from the top front of the sander on the band saw.

I mentioned 30” sanding belts. That was a typo. The belt size is 1”x 20”. And no LBD I didn’t use a threaded insert. But I did practice some of that Plagiarism stuff. 

Thanks for visiting and comments are always welcome. 

James McIntyre

33 Comments

Handy-looking gadget! Looks nice, too.

The Other Steven

At first I thought it would be a waste buying a belt when a roll of grit would be cheaper.
Then I realized that the belt allows you to rotate past worn areas to fresh, no waste like an open ended strip would have.
Anyway, duh!

Nice work James for a utility tool, very refined!
well done. i got a few i bought from rockler. they come in very handy for a lot of projects.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Thanks Dark_Lightning.

James McIntyre

Splinter thank you. Being able to rotate the belt makes it last much longer.

James McIntyre

Thanks Pottz. Store bought Bows are nice. You should post a photo of it. 

James McIntyre

here are the ones rockler sells. i keep a different grit on each one so i dont have to change as often.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I bought the Lee Valley set, They are basically a spring with clamps at each end.


Made a primitive one, not nearly as nice as yours.   Only used it once, hangs on the peg board.    Good design and all on yours.

Ron

That a good idea Pottz. Oh no now I’ll have to make 2 more. 

James McIntyre

That’s great Splinter. Can we see them?👀

James McIntyre

Thanks Ron. As long as it gets the job done. 

James McIntyre

james thats what this forum is all about. getting others to spend money on tools and to make things we never planned on !  😁

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I think your on to something Pottz. 👍 but I haven’t seen Ron’s yet. Just kidding Ron. 😏
This is like show me your bow sander day. Should be a National Holiday.
 That’s a good one Splinter. It’s almost as good as mine. 🫤

James McIntyre

What a great little device... thanks for sharing!
Thanks Tom R.

James McIntyre


Great job JEMI, and don't let the two thumbs up degrade the appreciation... just trimmed butchered the finger nails.

Love the fit to existing belts, and the consideration for the smaller 508mm allowance in one helluva boon... love the swing both ways.  I'll even forgive you for the lack of "appropriate" threadwork... acknowledgement is not a "get out of jail" card.

Where the "2 dogs", was this post, when I ventured out and bought this William Tell, when mesmerised by the craftmanship of this offering at a woodworking show of this "hand made" gizmo,

I was a PITA to load up woth the belt (especially with my dodgy left arm),

as the "spring" of the bow had to be locked in by some ingenious plug mechanism,


Works like a charm... probably like any other bow sander (but uncompromisingly, mine is better)...

However, you are now the sucker for getting this rant of my purchase, as it's crazy to review something available in the great down under land verbotten to Philistines.

Ok, trimmed. the nails.. I do like that slack (no incompetence implied)  adjustability feature....

If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD

A beautiful and practical piece of equipment.

https://dutchypatterns.com/

Damn, forgot to ask... or forgot to read (mea culpa... no maxima) what are the measurements... any PDF template... JEMI? xpected more or have i sinned again with my perusal ability and missed the obvious?

If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD

Wow...A great tool and superb write-up.  Thanks
I think I am going to make one !!!