Sanding blocks?

[julianf]

What sanding blocks do you use for longer contours?

Thank you.

 

[graffian]

I used the standard 3M yellow things.
But I did see a surf a local surfboard maker using a "fairing board",
it was a block about 3 feet long, I made one but only used it a few times.

 

[stuvy]

How long are you thinking?

I ordered some rubber matting samples and used that

The rubber was for the rear ramps and horsebox floors

 

[julianf]

I shouldnt have used the word "longer" i guess. I was thinking the 420mm size.

Im still messing about with those suitcase things -

Because they have got so many dings on them, im beginning to think that my small (150mm) block is following the metal rather than cutting the filler.

I hoped that maybe a longer block would do me better on the top and bottom long curves?

 

[Keith 66]

I always used similar 3m ones or equivalents from local auto refinishing suppliers, this was mostly for boat work. A long bed air file was also useful but needs a big compressor to drive it. I ended up with a Rupes long bed orbital sander these are a sort of cross between a variable speed angry grinder bolted to a long bed orbital base & pad, Quite a powerful & agressive machine but good for fairing hulls, Not cheap though.
Lot of boat yards use long boards for fairing sometimes 2 or even 3 man ones.
I heard of one that was driven by a crank & long conrod attached to a flywheel on a big electric motor, as the guy said it got exciting if you dropped the buisness end! Another fairing tool we used to use was the square sander, basically an 18" square of thin plywood bolted to a sanding disc on a polisher sander, The difference in diameter between the sides & corners meant it didnt dig in & make swirl marks like a round sanding pad.

 

[keithski122]

I've got a 3m one, probably about 16 inches.Problem is I bought it from ebay and it was a weird model which had the same side velcro as the sanding paper and would only use specific sanding sheets.I bought some wide correct side velcro and contact adhesived it in place of the factory stuff for cheaper paper.

 

[julianf]

The american youtubers seem to go mad for these -

Dura Block Full Size 1-3/8 H X 2-5/8 W X 16 L - Frost Auto Restoration Techniques

For wet or dry sanding of contours.

www.frost.co.uk

Which seem to be a few bits of @stuvy 's rubber matting layered up and some velcro stuck on the bottom

I cant find anywhere that does one of the 3m equivalents, without having to buy an entire "kit"?


Id assume the rubber things have some "give" - is this what i want for doing the jobs in the photo, or do i want something entirely ridged?

Thanks to all.