Seamless guard/handle joints help

i4Marc

i4Marc

Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
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I have seen Nicks videos. I have tried various things. But I still struggle with getting seamless, flat joints between the guard and handle material. I don't get gaps but I'm still getting handle material wash out on the curved transitions into the guard. I do ok up until I'm done with files. Then as I go through sandpaper grits I start washing out handle material. I wrap the sandpaper around hard sanding sticks of various shapes to span the joint but I'm missing something.

Can those of you who have a successful technique please share your process, tips, photos, videos etc.?
 
I found that a lot of the problem was I wasn't doing enough machine finishing done to very fine grits and then the backing on the sand paper when hand sanding . I now use a micarta piece for back up or very hard rubber.
Frank
 
mine are no where near perffect but I did notice alot of improvement when I started using slack belt with really thin and flexy belts. Also I got a set of sanding backers with about 10 different types of materials glued to wooden backs..from hard rubber to some sort of soft but dense foam, neoprene, cork, leather, etc.
 
i4Marc, if it make you feel any better I have the same troubles! hand sanding (even with a rigid block) has always been hard to keep the softer material from washing out. It's kind of weird but I find that everything I can do off of a platen or wheel keeps everything much cleaner. I'm by no means good at it though.
 
Thanks guys. Dan, it doesn't make me feel any better. I feel worse now knowing you're struggling too. :D
 
You need to hand sand putting the pressure on the steel, and just kind of "float" on the wood. The guard will act sort of as "file guide".
 
Stay off the handle material as much as possible.

Clean up the transition with Jflex belts if that's an option for you. They're like magic.
 
Thanks everybody.

Thanks Nick. Good to see you around here again. Hope life has been treating you well.
 
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