New tool sorta

[plumberroy]

I was in Harbor Freight yesterday looking for some cheap gloves for a church work day. I stopped to look at their 1 x 30 sanding belts. I picked up a pack and 2 40 grit zirc belts to try taking wood off to fit handles. They take wood off fast enough you have to be careful not to take off too much. It is faster than a rasp and more precise than a bench grinder

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

I’d say so, 40 grit is pretty coarse. I have their 4” x 36” belt/disc sander and hardly ever use it. LoL. The only thing I really ever use it for is shaping wedges.

For handle making after roughing in the shape with a draw knife I find the 4-in-Hand does not leave my hand. It just does everything between the rough shape and final sanding with ease and precision making it fun to use.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Sandpaper can soon become the most expensive tool in your workshop.

 

[plumberroy]

I’d say so, 40 grit is pretty coarse. I have their 4” x 36” belt/disc sander and hardly ever use it. LoL. The only thing I really ever use it for is shaping wedges.

For handle making after roughing in the shape with a draw knife I find the 4-in-Hand does not leave my hand. It just does everything between the rough shape and final sanding with ease and precision making it fun to use.

I have the 1 x 30 belt sander I use it to reprofile most of my axes hatchets machetes etc with 120 grit belts. I can get them to the place I can finish with a stone. I also understand that if you don't know what you are doing you can ruin something fast. I look forward to the point I have the time to do everything by hand . At this time I don't have the time to hand work everything . It took me about 20 minutes to fit a handle left large enough to be used on a full size axe down to a boys axe (24 inch handle) then another 10 minutes to thin it down in places it needed with finer belts. Between work . My lovely wife doesn't drive and stuff I do at church I have to save time where I can.

 

[phantomknives]

i used them, they worked pretty well until the lil guy took one too many rain storms to the rotor
but yes, the 40 grit is nice for removal

 

[Fmont]

For me my hogging rasp is the best thing short of my bandsaw. It's very, very fast.

 

[Yankee Josh]

If I am pushed for time I'll use my jig saw to cut out the handle blank. Then I use 40 grit on my belt sander to finish roughing out. It always needs hand work with a rasp near the swell and the shoulder as well. I often switch to an orbital sander at this point. I do really enjoy doing the whole process with hand tools but lately I just can't find the time. It's sad... However it is still a darn good feeling making your own helve! I've got several near completion waiting for the right head. Hopefully one is coming soon!