TIP: Sanding In A Tight Angle

Normally I would sand a rounded fillet area with sandpaper over a Q-tip for a cushion.
If you have a very tight inside curve to sand, the Q-tip might be too wide.
Here's how to get sandpaper into a tight rounded edge without folding a crease into it.


On the Quest AS-1 Escort build I had to sand some filler over root edge fillets.
I didn't want a sharp folded sandpaper edge to scar the balsa.
400 grit sandpaper will get creases in it when "bowed" too tightly.





Roll the paper under a dowel in the heel of your hand, the same way I've shown when pre-rolling a shroud, nozzle or adapter.

Do this again with a smaller dowel or toothpick rolling it into a smaller rounded "edge."
Try to get a smooth, tighter "U" shape. Remove the toothpick or dowel before sanding





Now you can sand into the root edge with a cushioned rounded piece of sandpaper. You'll have less chance of scarring the balsa now that the sandpaper has a smooth, rounded sanding surface.