dura-blocks... am I the only one who prefers a standard long board??

B

bomccorkle

I had heard all the great things over the interwebz talking up the dura-blocks left and right. Anyways when I started on this project they were one of the first things I bought. As I had gotten into my final blocking stages I had a touch of curiosity (luckily I may add) and decided to set down the 17" dura-blocl and pick up my 17" file board. The results were unexpected to say the least. From what I have found a standard file board gets a panel 100x's straighter than a dura-block and since that revaluation I went over the whole car to get it all as straight. Anyways I guess my question is this, am I the only one who has this issue due to something I'm overlooking or is this the nature of the beast?? They are handy in tight spaces and I have ground most of mine down to fit curves and such, but maybe I was just never using them correctly to begin with??
 
Went through the same learning curve. Went back to my wooden handled, aluminum based boards for getting panels straight. The only durablocks I use are the round and teardrop when working curved and rounded areas.
 
Cool beans I guess it isn't just me. That's all I really use mine for now. The shapes and the little block for spot work. Actually it may have been one of your posts that led me to hit mine with the file board again....
 
flexible blocks follow the surface, hard blocks cut straight. Once you get the panel straightness perfected you can use a flexible block for the finer grits if you maintain a consistent cut throughout-stay in one area too long and it's game over.
 
same here. i dont like durablocks for anything that needs to be straight or flat. i du like the teardrop and the round block. my favorite one though is what they call their scruff pad. its about 5in long but only 3/4" thick. i use it for damn near everything on bikes.
 
It all depends on the panel you are working on. I use them all. From the hard ones to the durablocks.
 
I'm with jim.. The scruff block is probably my favorite as well.. I also use the round and tear drop one.. I don't like the other blocks either.
 
I have had the same experiences with my Durablocks. I use my 21" AFS block for most large surfaces. It works really well.
 
Can you guys post some pictures (or exact names and part numbers) of what you use so I can ask for the correct thing at the AB supply store?
 
If you aren't getting it straight with a Durablock, you're probably
pressing to hard and/or not using coarse enough paper.
That's usually the problem.
 
I use 80 grit to rough in. Maybe I just try to press to hard. Oh week seems my file boards do the trick on the big flat areas.

To the poster asking part numbers. I have Hutchins file boards(aluminum shoe with rubber) in various lengths. The standard long board 16" and half board seem to be my go to on big flats(quarters, deck lids, hoods) and I use durablocks for curves and tight spots.
 
Hey JTFX6552, here is an example of the long boards being discussed.

31JJRcxpy7L.jpg

By the way, I found this pic on Amazon by searching for "sanding board".
 
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