A neat little detail sander

I am far from the neatest gluer, and usually put too much glue on my pieces. This means a major clean-up while the glue is still soft, and some tricky sanding once the glue has dried. To get into tight or hard to reach places, I use a small piece of adhesive backed sandpaper stuck around the end of a very thin flat file. This gives me more control and greater pressure than finger strength alone. If you don't have a small file, a flat blade screwdriver will also work.

Bowl presses are really worth making

I always recommend the use of a press for gluing up rings, rather than boards and clamps, and have a simple plan for one in my bowl book. I've been using it for everything, from gluing on box bottoms to laminating wood and veneer, and even have a square version for larger areas.

Well, a few days ago I got lazy, and decided to try gluing on a small box bottom the conventional way. As the pieces slipped out of alignment, I quickly regretted my decision and reached for my press. The control over the pressure, not to mention the likelihood of the parts staying where they are supposed to, convinces me that even people who don't make bowls can benefit from this handy shop-made device.

Sanding tool hints

I find the flexible pad sander to be a useful and versatile tool, but the velcro on its face tends to wear out over time. A small and inexpensive pad that attaches to the face with hooks and loops helps preserve its life, and provides extra cushioning for the discs.

To solve the problem of disc storage and organization, a plastic 3x5 card file is a quick and easy solution.

What is it?

I've been having a good time creating projects for my new book. My goal is to have the book filled with things that will be fun to do, different, and within the capabilities of the typical scroller. I wish I could share more of what I'm doing, but that would spoil the surprise when the book is finally published, late next year.

However, this came out so well that I just had to share it. It's obviously part of a larger project, but I'm wondering if even in its unfinished state it looks like what it's supposed to. Let me know what you think. Thanks.