Which Block to use in mixed contour areas

L

Lone Star

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Show some blocks you would use for the contour of hood front center where body line and hood drops off. I have used the old dura block round block but does not conform and bend comfortably. I have used a foam block too but does it really flow with the other work? I need some technique and tool advice here. Also Dean may get some ideas for a new BD contour block. :)

Yes I know I now have a dust problem in my shop from all the sanding which I need some advice (Shine) on how to clean up and possibly avoid some of it in the future.
 

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I have a 6" length of 1" PVC pipe I use. I wrap part of an old trizact disc around it to give a softer surface to the plastic, and then wrap my sand paper around that. Sand through the angle at 45 degree and I roll it in my fingers slightly so it's not always sanding on the same small area in the sand paper caked in dust.
 
I have PVC with cuts that go about 80% of the way through on the back side, evenly spaced to let it flex convex or concave. More/deeper cuts allow more flex. I used a table saw for even cut depth and width so they flex uniformly. Also helps to block the surface you stick your sandpaper before cutting notches to make sure there are no high/low spots in the pvc. Not sure if you could get pvc to flex that much and still hold a constant arc though, hard to tell how tight of a radius the peak on the hood is in the pic.
 
theastronaut said:
I have PVC with cuts that go about 80% of the way through on the back side, evenly spaced to let it flex convex or concave. More/deeper cuts allow more flex. I used a table saw for even cut depth and width so they flex uniformly. Also helps to block the surface you stick your sandpaper before cutting notches to make sure there are no high/low spots in the pvc. Not sure if you could get pvc to flex that much and still hold a constant arc though, hard to tell how tight of a radius the peak on the hood is in the pic.
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I will see if I can get a close up photo of the area. It is quite a bend for sure.
 
MJM said:
Many options like, pvc pipe, copper pipe, wood dowel. Anything with a round contour.
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I have a poly urethane dowel rod that I use that if flexible to some degree but will not flex this much. I need to take a better photo and post it.

Thanks for all the replies and feedback.
 
Lone Star said:
Nice work!

The round dura block will only work so for down on the area I have. I will post a better photo after I take it.
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For that I would use the Tear Drop style block. Think of a wedge shape with a large round edge on one side and a narrow round edge on the other. It gets into the tighter concave curves.

Basically the round and teardrop are the only Durablocks I have found useful.
 
Lone Star said:
Show some blocks you would use for the contour of hood front center where body line and hood drops off. I have used the old dura block round block but does not conform and bend comfortably. I have used a foam block too but does it really flow with the other work? I need some technique and tool advice here. Also Dean may get some ideas for a new BD contour block. :)

Yes I know I now have a dust problem in my shop from all the sanding which I need some advice (Shine) on how to clean up and possibly avoid some of it in the future.
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Dense foam "pool noodles" from the dollar tree store are buoyance device children apparently use now to learn to swim with. For a 5-6' piece for a $1.25 they can be used for many sanding applications. they are made in Canada or the USA. They are perhaps 2 1/2" OD and have a hole perhaps 3/4" hole in them. I cut what ever I need off I want for a length and fill with lead shot and cap the ends with corks. Works well since the foam is about right for my touch. Others may have worse or better luck than me.
 
I really appreciate all the ideas and feedback. Just trying to get panels to looking really good. Here is a close up photo and shows how much curve or bend is there in the center
 

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