Okay, score 2 for the beltsander. And I like the curved shoe idea! After all this is over, I may have developed a new affinity for my old belt sander. Thanks Nolan.

Ross

> Building my Mill Creek made me a firm believer in the wonders of the belt
> sander. It did the job better then anything else I used. Keep it moving,
> work it at a slight angle, and don't ever try to dig in with it.

> I made a planked deck on my boat by ripping old 2x4's and various pieces
> of scrap wood I had laying around. I ended up with 1.5" wide planks
> of various spf, narrow accents strips of maple, and god knows what else.
> Including knots because I thought they looked pretty. The belt sander was
> able to take this most uneven wad of planks and strips and get it all down
> to a uniform, nicely curved, surface. Oh it's definately thin in some
> areas, but that's my fault. I also didn't route beads and coves, I just
> straight butted the ends.

> So I think you'll be fine with a belt sander. I'd also suggest getting
> several belts, and starting off with a fine grit and working your way up,
> not the other way around. Starting too coarsely can lead to tears.

> And the belt sander can handle the inside curves as well. Just fabricate a
> curved platen for the belt to ride over out of hard wood. It will work
> just fine.