radius sanding blocks, what length?

[ihateusernames]

stew mac has 4 and 8 inch sanding blocks available (18 as well but $$$)

what length would you suggest for levelling the fretboard of an inexpensive fretless? (cheap enough i'm not afraid to sand and epoxy)

[PilbaraBass]

by all means, get the longer board

[202dy]

Maintaining a constant (cylindrical) radius is easier to achieve with the long blocks.

The short blocks are for spot leveling and blending a compound radius. They can be used either way.

No matter the choice, keeping the block centered on the centerline of the fingerboard is critical. Failure to do so will create a lopsided fingerboard. The easiest way to keep it centered is to mark the centerline on the block top and ends. The fingerboard centerline is also marked in pencil. Use a white pencil on a rosewood fingerboard. Keep the marks running on the line and you should be successful.

[ihateusernames]

thanks fellas, any suggestions on grit progression for mild planing?

[202dy]

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

thanks fellas, any suggestions on grit progression for mild planing?

What are the goals for this project? Are there ruts, chips, or any other anomalies in the fingerboard that will have an affect on the work? Planing might require 60-80 grit. A quick cleaning might only require 220 grit. Once you hit 400 you are essentially polishing the surface.