All Rocketry Blogs

Greg Smith's Blog: Sanding can blow me (2008-04-17)

I had two simple goals tonight: 1) sand those bulkheads to fit neatly in the coupler and 2) piece together the exterior parts for a studio photo shoot. Part 1 was quick. Part 2... not so much. I knew ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: I ♥ sanding!! (2010-06-08)

It's my favorite. No really. After about 90 minutes of dust generation I turned this rough, UV Primed surface into a very smooth one: I put one final coat of UV Smooth Prime on tonight and the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Wet Sanding Tips (2010-10-12)

I never knew how to properly wet sand until a few years ago when I started making banjos. Currently I'm building the DynaStar LexxJet from Apogee. It's a big model with plenty of surface to prepare. ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Finally! Great sanding success!! (2010-11-02)

On the way home today I decided to stop off at Home Depot and buy some form of different hand sander than the two B&D 'Mice' I have now. I surveyed all their sanding wares and, in the end, I ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Sanding Laser Cut Fin Edges (2011-12-12)

These are the fins from the Quest Tomahawk kit. This laser burn was dark because the fin stock was a very stiff balsa. To the right is the fin sheet facing up as it was cut. The black burnt lines ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: TIP: Small Padded Sanding (2012-10-14)

The Centuri Satellite 62SL is pretty small. I could have simply folded up a piece of sandpaper to get in the tight spots. Sometimes the sharp crease in the sandpaper cuts "ruts" into the finish. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Sanding Block! (2012-11-13)

Oh Boy! A new tool! This was picked up for $9.95 at my local hobby store. I've had my eye on this one for a while. Midwest makes some great building accessories and I have high hopes for this ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Sanding Block and How I Sand (2012-12-13)

If you ever saw me at a launch, you'd notice the right pant leg is a lighter blue than the left leg. To keep the sandpaper from loading up (especially when sanding off primer with 400 grit) ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Wet Sanding Thoughts (2013-02-14)

I've read a few forum posts where new builders talked about wet sanding. That piece of 400 grit (wet/dry) sandpaper in the glass of water is only about 2" X 4" in size. That one piece should be ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Tip: Custom sanding blocks (2013-03-05)

I hate sanding! But for you modelers who don't, here is an interesting article on making custom-shaped, rigid sanding blocks: How-To: ShapeLock Sanding Blocks . The blocks are made from ShapeLock ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Touch-Ups after Sanding TIP (2014-08-02)

Did you ever sand off an edge of a white undercoat? This Little Green Man prototype had a glue blob on one of the toes. After sanding it down, the white cover paint was removed. I didn't want to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Another Use for the Great Planes Sanding Block TIP (2014-12-08)

On TRF, Thirsty Barbarian asked about good tools for scratch building. Paul (Dr Wogs) made a great suggestion for a second use of the Great Planes Easy Touch Sanding Block: "I have one from ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Wet Sanding Part 1 (2015-02-04)

A few things to consider about wet sanding: You can leave wet/dry sandpaper in water, even overnight before sanding. It won't ruin the sandpaper. I wet sand using water. Some use water with a drop ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Wet Sanding Part 2 (2015-02-05)

When wet sanding, you don't have to go all the way down to the wood surface. Just "knock down" the surface imperfections. Take the sandpaper out of the water and shake off the excess. Keep a paper ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Wet Sanding Part 3 (2015-02-06)

These new paint formulations can drive you nuts! Currently I'm using Rustoleum 2X painter's Touch. It's got a LOT of pigment in it and can cover with fewer coats. That thicker pigment can clog up ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: TIP: Sanding In A Tight Angle (2015-11-18)

Normally I would sand a rounded fillet area with sandpaper over a Q-tip for a cushion. If you have a very tight angle to sand, the Q-tip might be too wide. Here's how to get sandpaper into a tight ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Spot Sand and Polish TIP (2016-03-04)

Sometimes after the paint dries you'll find a raised speck of dust or a small blob of paint. Sure, you could sand it all down and shoot it a second time, but you run the risk of it happening again. ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Sanding Block Pro Tip (2018-05-31)

A while back, I showed a way to remove self-adhesive sandpaper from an aluminum sanding block , like the Great Planes Easy-Touch Hand Sander*, seen above. Self-adhesive sandpaper, such as the stuff ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Daniel The Rocket N00b, Sanding Block Tip (2018-06-05)

I love my Great Planes Easy Touch sanding block. Problem #1 , Great Planes is owned by Hobbico, recently bankrupt. I hope somebody picks up and produces this sanding block. It is the best available. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, Sanding Blocks Part 1 (2019-10-29)

Here's how we all start out, a block of wood with some sandpaper wrapped around it. It's hard to keep the sandpaper tight around the block as you are sanding with it. I used a Warner #436 sanding ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, Sanding Blocks Part 2 (2019-10-30)

Here's my favorite sanding block - The Great Planes Easy Sander. It's made of aluminum, the top fits your hand very well. The  problem -  Hobbico hasn't sold them for a while. Remember ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, Sanding Blocks Part 3 (2019-10-31)

After some sanding you should check for build-up on the sandpaper. These little nubs of filler/primer can get large enough to scar your balsa when sanding! On the right is a soft brass wire brush ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, New Cheaper Sandpaper Roll! (2019-11-15)

I mentioned earlier how much I use the OOP Great Planes Easy Sander sanding block. The sandpaper is sticky, no clamping! A problem - Great Planes sandpaper rolls are expensive and aren't available ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, A Decent Sanding Block, Part 1 (2019-11-19)

Here's the sanding block I used for a few years before finding the Great Planes Easy Sander. This is the Warner #436, made for drywall work. The upper block and wing nut clamped down and tightly ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tools - The Essentials, A Decent Sanding Block, Part 2 (2019-11-20)

Here's the bottom plate. I wish there wasn't holes in the bottom, these didn't seem to effect the tools use. The sandpaper is stiff enough that it didn't "dimple" into the holes. The pressure clamps ... [Read More]