sanding?

[highdarkness]

so im working on a butterfly now on 1/4" sanded hardboard and there are alot of little cuts and some of them have some frays or little tiny pieces still there. its just not perfectly smooth and i was wondering how most people finish those edges off to give it that crisp clean look?

[wood-n-things]

Those are called fuzzies.

Some of us use a small propane torch this takes practice.
Some of use a dremel/rotary tool to sand with.
Some of us use elbow grease and hand sand....

Personal preference..

At any rate when you get them finished you are required by law to post a picture of the finished project or you'll get twenty lashes with a wet noodle...

[Chris "The Wood Artist"]

I use all the methods above also, and I also use another method. They make a sanding blade for the scroll saw. I use it a lot especially for the intricate areas. The process is just like you would if you were cutting it. Load the sanding blade into your saw as you would a cutting blade, turn your scroll speed down so you won't over sand and lightly sand the area you want.

[wood-n-things]

They make a sanding blade for the scroll saw.

I have used this method as well. However found them to be rather aggressive and now using an Emery board (yep the kind used for doing your finger nails). Really inexpensive and last forever.

You can also use scraps of sandpaper and just fold them in half and insert them like a blade this works as well. I think Mick shared this tip and I tried it and it works rather well.

[Mick Walker]

I very seldom sand anymore but I will repeat making your own sanding strips. Cut emory cloth 5" long and 1/2" wide. Fold in half lengthwise, Clamp in saw just like a blade. You can make them any width you want. Sandpaper works but tears easily, emory cloth is best.

[Chris "The Wood Artist"]

Originally Posted by Mick Walker

I very seldom sand anymore but I will repeat making your own sanding strips. Cut emory cloth 5" long and 1/2" wide. Fold in half lengthwise, Clamp in saw just like a blade. You can make them any width you want. Sandpaper works but tears easily, emory cloth is best.

I have done this as well as with the "sanding blades" are as mentioned earlier, are coarse. I take sanding paper, usually extra fine, and glue it to a piece of really thin metal, usually a piece cut from a coke can, and put it in the blade clamps. It works and the sandpaper don't tear easily.
This brings me to this point, everyone has there own way. There are millions of ways, explore and try diferent ones, you will find one that works for you, and may even make your own way.

[Jim Rodman]

Welocme highdarkness
All the above work quit well, some I have tryed the sanding belt.
Others I will tuck away and try them when needed.
What I use a lot is a sanding mop (sanding star). Go on the Intrnet type in sanding mop.
Good luck
jim from Ontario

[minowevie]

I like my dimon needle files. they come in all kinds of shapes. harbor freight has them cheep, and at the swap meet also. I also just use a small knife and scrape along the edges. you can even cut the emery boards that Mike talked about. and make them pretty thin. your friend Evie