Introduction: Hand Sanding Block With Dust Extraction

By Technisch Speelgoed
About: I'm a social-worker, working with 12 - 23 year-olds. I used to be a printer. In 2018 I opened a small makerspace (www.imdib.nl) in my house, where I have lasercutters, 3d-printers, Arduino's, Mindstorms and ot…

I don't really like sanding. So I want to use the best sanding paper I can find. I ended up buying the 3M sanding discs. Because I don't have a machine for this discs, I made a sanding block to mount them on. The discs have holes in them to extract the dust, so it only seems logical to include dust extraction in the design.

Supplies

You will need:

  • 15 cm velcro (only the hook part, with adhesive backing)
  • 15 cm sanding disks

You'll also need:

A makerspace for:

  • 3D printer and filament
  • Lasercutter (scissors and a hobby knife might also work)

Step 1: 3D Printing

3D printing takes time, so that is a good place to start.

I printed this in PLA

Printed without support. That will mess up the top of the tube insert a little, but it will still work (probably)

Use only very low infill, like 15% or even 10%. That will save time and materials.

Use enough layers of perimeters for toughness. (like 3 layers)

I used 0,28 mm layer hight, just for speed. (with a 0.4 mm nozzle)

Attachments

Step 2: Cutting the Velcro

Measure and cut enough velcro to cut a 15 cm circle. (If your 3D print is finished, you can use it to measure the velcro)

I managed to dial the laser in exactly, so it will cut the velcro and not the backing.

Attachments

Step 3: Weeding the Velcro

Remove all the velcro that you don't need. During this weeding proces there might be a moment when it seems that your sanding block might have wifi, but trust me, it won't.

Step 4: Apply the Velcro

Use the hole in het middle to help you centre the velcro.

Make sure that you line up the parts of the velcro with the extra holes lengthwise with the block.

Bend the extra velcro around the sides.

Step 5: Ad Sandpaper

Use the hole in the middle again to line up the sandpaper.

Fold the sides.

Step 6: Optional Labels

I made more sanding blocks, so I used a label writer to show what kind of paper is on each block.

Step 7: Add Dust Extraction

Now you just have to put the vacuum hose in the back and you can start sanding by hand without any dust.

Perhaps there will be a little dust, but this system works remarkably well.

Step 8: Finished

This was not my first version. I used fusion360 to design it and I am not great in designing organic shapes in fusion360. Still I am very happy with my result.


This video is in Dutch.