No Router...Hand-Sand Cabinet Doors?

[Wayne DeVito]

Well, as embarrassing as it might sound, I do not have a router and I was wondering if it makes sense to just 

round over the cabinet doors that I will be making (I have been planning for weeks, and not getting very far...LOL) using a hand 

Palm Sander to make the doors not have such a hard and straight look. These will be for my garage.

Thanks, Wayne

[Ken Darga]

Wayne,

Don't be embarrassed.

Many don't have routers.

Many have routers, and don't know how to use them.

Investing in a router is mere dollars compared to the cost of router bits and associated accessories.

Before affordable routers came on the market, rounding corners was done using hand tools.

A router may be faster, but a variety of hand operated cutting tools will do the job.

I often use hand tools over a router for many tasks, like shaping objects that can't be done with a router.

Hand tools are more cost effective when doing limited or low volume production.

[Ken Darga]

Sanders/Sanding:

*1/4 sheet sanders, orbital disc sander, belt sanders and sanding blocks or pads.

*Belt sanders are the preferred tool for rapid sanding when material needs to be removed quickly, then followed by finishing sanders.

Each is useful in their own way.

*Orbital sanders have become more popular over the 1/4 sheet sanders.

*Power sanders are nice when one has lots of sanding to do.

*For simple and small sanding projects, a section of sand paper sheet can be cut to an applicable size to fit the sanding block or pad.

*Profile sanding pads are very handy for their intended purpose---flat, concave or convex shapes. Small sizes that can be held in ones fingers are great for small objects and areas.

*For contour sanding, a piece or block of wood can be shaped to fit the profile of the object.

*A paint stirring stick or a wood dowel can be fitted with a piece of sandpaper.

*Sponge sanding pads are another useful tool---handy for getting in close to an inside corner.

*Double stick tape, such as carpet tape can be applied to the sanding block or pad, to hold the sandpaper in place during sanding.

*Profile sanding can be accomplished by cutting a section from water pipe insulation---wrap the sand paper around it and sand away.

*Sander paper sheet can also be used by itself, cut to an applicable size, place it on the palm of your hand.

*Sandpaper can also be folder, to get into tight close corners.

*Wood rasps and files are favored among some wood workers.  They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and coarseness.  

The above mentioned items are just some of the tools I use for various sanding tasks.

NOTE:

*Use a vac system to suck up the sawdust.

*Use a vac brush to suck up the bulk of the sanding dust from the sanded surface.  

*Wipe the surface(s) down with a tack-cloth, or the like, to remove the tiny particles left behind after using the shop vac.

*Use a filter face mask, if one is allergic to sanding dust, either created by the wood fibers, or sanding dust particles from various finish materials.

Happy Sanding.

[Adam Severeid]

Sometimes a simple roundover can be achieved very quickly with a simple block plane and a touch of handsanding.

Give it a shot on a piece of scrap and see how you like it.

[Wayne DeVito]

Thanks So Much for your reply and Advice Ken. I really Like your Tips...Again...THANK YOU!

Ken Darga said:

Wayne,

Don't be embarrassed.

Many don't have routers.

Many have routers, and don't know how to use them.

Investing in a router is mere dollars compared to the cost of router bits and associated accessories.

Before affordable routers came on the market, rounding corners was done using hand tools.

A router may be faster, but a variety of hand operated cutting tools will do the job.

I often use hand tools over a router for many tasks, like shaping objects that can't be done with a router.

Hand tools are more cost effective when doing limited or low volume production.

[Wayne DeVito]

Thank You Adam.... I'm thinking a simple roundover will have to do this time... I have those tools...LOL

Thanks So Much for your Help!

Wayne

Adam Severeid said:

Sometimes a simple roundover can be achieved very quickly with a simple block plane and a touch of handsanding.

Give it a shot on a piece of scrap and see how you like it.

[Ken Darga]

I find this little 5" long bladed drawknife a great tool for shaping and making a chamfer or radius on a corner.

It contains a single bevel cutting edge.  

Use it with bevel "up" for fast removal and bevel "down" for more controlled cutting and making very thin cuts.

The blade on this tool is semi-flexible

Use it to give an object an appealing "hand-made" look, like adding a "hand-hewn" appearance.

Works great for making tenons in round stock.

Shave a dowel for a snug fit.

Make your own pegs.

Shave bark from tree branches when making rustic looking furniture.

Strop the edge to maintain a keen cutting edge. 

This tool has many uses in my shop. 

[Ken Darga]

Wood workers "card scraper" tools are very handy.

Useful for not only for shaving flats or rounds, but also for making a slight radius or breaking sharp the corners.

A card scraper can be machined, (ground and sharpened), to fit a specific profile.

Make your own saw-dust and mix with glue to make repairs.

[Wayne DeVito]

Hi Ken, Thanks again for your response... I had a few of these at one time. Never knew what they were called other than a Wood Scraper...LOL

Would you say this would work OK on 3/4" Birch to round the Cabinet Doors

[Ken Darga]

Wayne,

A scraper will work rapidly on a small radius; however, it'll take longer the larger the radius, since you'll have more material to remove.

An 1/8" radius on the corners will suffice, if you only want to "break the edge".

A properly sharpened scraper will be most effective.

You could use a coarse "rasp" for faster removal and then give the final finish results with the scraper.

Observe the grain direction and orientation in the wood, when using a scraper.

"Go with the grain".

If you go against the grain, the scraper may snag and cause a divot.

BTW---a properly sharpened scraper will provide smoother finish results over sanding.

Wayne DeVito said:

Hi Ken, Thanks again for your response... I had a few of these at one time. Never knew what they were called other than a Wood Scraper...LOL

Would you say this would work OK on 3/4" Birch to round the Cabinet Doors

[Wayne DeVito]

Thanks Once again Ken... Your advice is Tremendous! 

[Ken Darga]

Thanks Wayne,

You don't get this kind of good info, looking at a bunch of pictures. ; )

Wayne DeVito said:

Thanks Once again Ken... Your advice is Tremendous! 

[James P. Cottingham]

Did anyone mention using a file or rasp?