Belt Sander for tapering wings

[Oceaneer99]

copied from the old MSN forum:

From: MSN NicknamePhantom1086  (Original Message)   Sent: 1/24/2006 4:39 PM
Basswood is VERY expensive, if you buy it at your local hobby or craft store. Instead, head for a lumber yard, or better yet, a specialty hardwood lumber yard, and buy it in big chunks, which usually are 2 in. x 12 in. x 24 in. These will run about $20, and will build MANY solid models. It can then be cut to sizes with a band saw. I have my own band saw, but perhaps the yard would "custom cut" it for you. You'll save lots.

Here's a tip, for tapering wing blanks. Get yourself one of those combination 4 x 36 in. belt/6 in. disc sanders.The flat surface the belt rides on, can be used for tapering the wing blanks, and the disc can be used for fine shaping. When you get really good, you can even sand in the airfoil shapes. Harbor Freight has them on sale for around $80. They are also great for sanding your finger nails down, and grinding callouses of of your hands. Just kidding, but you need to take a little care with any belt or disc sander.

John Bell