Shaping small pieces

[newscroller]

When sanding and shaping small intarsia pieces what do you use to hold them? I seem to be sanding more off my fingers than I am off the wood. Is there a special non marring clamp or plier? I am considering trying double sided carpet tape to a scrap piece of wood. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Hank

[Janette]

Hi Hank,
I guess it depends on how small you're talking about. I usually shape them the same way I do larger pieces, but put band aids on my fingers FIRST. If they're really really small - I just hand sand and skip the machine part since they're likely to break or fly away. I do have a pair of forcepts I use sometimes that are handy as well.

[greatdane2]

I use 2 sided carpet tape. and not the cheap stuff. If using a machine I tape it to a piece of scrap bb ply cut to shape needed. I also take the tables off the disc and belt sanders. I found the pieces would catch in between the belt and metal if they slip out of control. My finger dont fet hurt anymore either.
I also use a long jaw plier with a 1/4" wide grip. I glue gun soft rubber onto the jaws and hold the wood with a bit of pressure.
Even using my Fordom machine is easier when the wood is taped down.

Alan.

[Bob in Whitby]

When I sand my intarsia pieces I usually always use thumb and finger protection to alleviate any accidental burning of the skin. I make my own finger protectors by using the following material from Lee Valley. Here is the link to the U.S. price and description page.
High-Friction Guard Tape - Lee Valley Tools

Cheers
Bob

[groverd]

Any piece that is to small to be safely powered sander i always hand sand the item. I have spend enough time fixing fingers and chasing small flying parts, , , so hand shaping it is for me

[newscroller]

Thanks to all for your inputs. I think I have to try all of the suggestions and see which one works best for me. This is a totally new experience and quite a learning curve.
Hank

[Woodworking Plus]

Try using a 1/2 " or 1/4" rotary tool sanding drum to sand your small pieces.
I've been using them for years and they work quite well.

Mike from Va

[jim_mex]

I use a) double sided 3M clear tape stuck to the workbench to hold the piece and either hand sand or use a small rotary sanding drum in my Dremel power tool or b) if the piece is big enough I stick it with hotglue onto a piece of 1/4" dowel, sand and carefully cut the piece off from the glue when finished

[Janette]

I'll still hold small pieces in my fingers but I put bandaids on them (when I remember) to keep the fingernails a little longer.

[Pat Carroll]

I did some testing on small scrap pieces of wood in the last coupe days. I used RTV 100 Series Adhesive ( Momentive). I used 1/4" and 3/8" dowels attached to the samples It was applied with a caulking gun, and left over nite to cure, approx. 24 hours. I just tried some sanding and the adhesive seems to hold up well, after some shaping. It is called silicon rubber adhesive, if you experiment read the warning label. I'm ready to start sanding on my first project, so I have my work cut out for me. I only have about 140 pieces to sand and shape, what did I get into?

Have a good one
Pat Carroll