Sanding inside a Goblet / Box?

[Dino]

Ok so...I've made a few boxes - not really a big issue since the ... bowl? ... inside? The interior is quite spacious so at least two of my fingers can fit in.

I am in the process of turning my first goblet now, it's going pretty well (still figuring out how to get the right angle on most of my tools) but...the inside is much smaller. Two of my fingers cannot fit in so I can't grip the sand paper well enough to sand the bottom of the vessel.

Any tips? I'd rather not purchase any tools so any Macgyver type fixes would be helpful.

I've tried sticking the paper to a stick of wood but I find it isn't really sanding as nicely as I'd like.

Thanks.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

If you have a suitable scraper it will, when freshly sharpened and used to take very light cuts leave a surface that will, more than likely, be acceptable without further sanding.

Regards Mick

 

[Dino]

I have a scraper! But...My main issue is that I'm probably not getting the right angle on it when sharpening, or pressing too hard.

 

[Grahamshed]

How deep do you need to go and what shape is the bottom of the goblet ?

 

[KimG]

I made a little gadget for this sort of thing, I got a 9" length of 1/4" rod (mine is Brass as I had it on hand but steel is fine) made a small handle for it, the other end has a block of rubber with velcro glued to it, this gets into some very small spaces and holds the sandpaper well (as long as it is a velcro type like the Rhyno paper Richard sells.

The rubber came from a block of a suspension system, a lump off an old tractor tyre might do as well, nip to your local scrapyard, bound to be something you can get for next to nothing.

Some pics might help.

 

[Dino]

It's about 3 inches deep, curved bowl.

That tool looks like something I fashioned, I think the rubber might work better than the wood as it has a little more give. I'll see what I can do.

 

[Grahamshed]

That looks good Kim. I was going to suggest shaping a bit of wood to go on a stick

 

[duncanh]

Forceps in various lengths. Don't put your thumb through the holes intended for them but simply hold them in your palm.

 

[yorkshirepudding]

I usually use a piece of pipe insulation wrapped in abrasive, when I am reluctant or unable to use my fingers.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

that's a brilliant idea, soft enough to squash into the corners but robust enough to hold its shape as you poke it in and easy to either glue or Velcro the abrasive to. I had this same problem myself recently and I glued the abrasive to a length of dowel. But the softer material of pipe insulation would be much better.

 

[Grahamshed]

Yep, good idea. Think I will be using that soon.

 

[Dino]

Pipe insulation is a great idea!

The scraper allowed me to smooth everything out nicely, I manged to squeeze my fingers in enough to sand it a little as well.

I did break one of the goblets though...slightly annoyed about that, but teaches me to go a little slower I suppose.

 

[Grahamshed]

I did break one of the goblets though...slightly annoyed about that, but teaches me to go a little slower I suppose.

Oh I know that feeling. I just made a yew pot and got the wall lovely and thin, quite pleased with myself, then I hit it with the edge of the chisel and split it all the way down.
Oh golly gosh, I said.

 

[Dino]

I may have said a few questionable things in regards to myself. It's alright though because the two I did today are quite nice. I'm pretty happy with them considering they are my first finished goblets. I was slightly annoyed because finding wood wide enough to make a decent sized goblets costs me quite a bit.

I plan on trying a bowl or two tomorrow, maybe a box too.

 

[Bodrighy]

I may have said a few questionable things in regards to myself. It's alright though because the two I did today are quite nice. I'm pretty happy with them considering they are my first finished goblets. I was slightly annoyed because finding wood wide enough to make a decent sized goblets costs me quite a bit.

I plan on trying a bowl or two tomorrow, maybe a box too.

How big are the goblets? Most of the ones I make are between 2" and 21/2" diameter. For my commission ones I buy 3" thick planks and cut down to size. Buying blanks ready made is really expensive in comparison. For my medieval and one off goblets I use wood from other more pocket friendly sources.

Pete

 

[Dino]

Getting a hold of the 3" planks is the bothersome part for me. I didn't buy any blanks for them, only did that for bowls because I don't have the necessary equipment to cut wood that size.

The main cost is actually time and fuel, closest retailer I know for timber like that is about 30 miles away from me. The cost of the wood itself isn't that high.