Sanding/finishing the belly

H

Hunterarrow

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I've been using my dremel with sanding discs but I always get this wavey pattern instead of a nice smooth surface. Do you know what I'm talking about? What's the best way to sand the belly side of the metal so I can get a nice smooth finish? Thanks.
 
I'll be following this. I'm thinking of an answer, but want to see what the experienced guys say to see if I've learned anything over the last few months :)
 
I assume this is after heat treating. I too have used my dremel for this purpose but have never gotten a satisfactory finish with a dremel. I still use my dremel for some detail work but for me the key to a good finish was to abandon the machines and return to hand sanding with progressively finer grits followed by machine buffing with progressively finer buffing compounds.
 
Sanding block.

I have a very limited selection of tools and workspace (apartment patio) so I use a Dremel alot. If you're describing what I think is happening the sanding drums make the surface look like the washboard effect of vehicle traffic on a dirt road. If you move the Dremel back and forth very very quickly you can sort of overcome this effect. Really there's no getting around putting in the elbow grease and hand sanding.
 
The way to avoid the marks made this way is to set the Dremel down and pick up a 2X6 block of hardwood and some wet-or-dry sandpaper ( or Rhyno-wett). It will sand flat, smooth, and probably faster. dremel tools were never meant to sand flat things.
 
I use Micarta and mild steel sanding blocks. Spray adhesive or glue sticks to hold the paper on. For the final finishing passes I have a leather backed sanding block that seems to give me the best finish.
 
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