Long flat surface for sanding neck blanks

[Michael Moody II]

Hi all,

I read a one of the other discussions about using granite, marble tile or glass as a flat sanding surface but other than expensive granite slab what would be long enough to sand a whole neck to get it nice and flat before i glued on a fingerboard etc etc. I considered a big piece of glass but the fact of its breaking easily steers me away..... Has anyone tried using a thick piece of acrylic sheet maybe 3/8" or 1/2" and would that be thick enough not to flex if laid on a work bench or something?? If someone could give me idea or let me know what they think i'd appreciate it much. Thanks

[Thomas James]

Table saw or jointer surface. Granite cutting boards are cheap and flat.

[Russell Vance]

Forget acrylic, its too floppy at the dimension you mention.  Maybe Lexan if you can get it cheap.

A granite surface plate is fine and so is "float" or "plate" glass.  I have a couple of rectangular plate glass slabs that are used for all sorts of leveling (including my plane blades and plane body tuning) - I use Stickit adhesive paper for most stuff and for the finer stuff I wet the glass surface and a sheet of fine 2000 grit sticks nicely with surface tension. 

I also stick stuff to my cast iron/metal working surfaces on my saw and overhead if I'm lazy but you have to clean up well after to get all the adhesive off - I guess if you could salvage a plate from an old machine it may do the trick also. 

1/2 inch thick plate glass is tough enough but do not clamp it - it will break.  I secure it to the bench top with a "router mat" or "commercial kitchen mat" which is a dimpled soft rubber underlay which grips both the bench top and the glass -  plate/float glass offcuts from your local glazier are relatively cheap (compared to a granite surface plate).  That's all I know. Rusty.

[Kerry Krishna]

Michael, I have been using glaziers grade  architectural s2 inch square aluminum tubing for decades.  4 sides, each can have a different grade of sandpaper two way taped to it. I have it in 6 inch,12, 14 18 24 and 48 inch lengths. It is a terrific tool... 

[Kerry Krishna]

Here ya go....

[Michael Moody II]

Thanks for all the info guys!! 

[chip griffin]

if you go to a stone warehouse or call a local counter top installer, you can pick up sink cutouts or backsplash remnants for pennies.

[Pierre-Antoine Roiron]

I was considering going to a grave stone maker's warehouse, but I was wondering if they made flat enough stones?

[Charlie Hoffman]

Many years ago I went to the local scrap metal place and got a piece of steel I beam - about 30" long and perhaps 4" wide and 6" deep.  I then took it to a machinist who did grinding (who was literally right next door) and he ground one face dead flat.  We have used it for many things since. I would not be without it.  There is a photo of it here:  http://www.hoffmanguitars.com/neck-6-15.jpg