Taper and Parallel sanding?

[stringstretcher]

For you that make you own dowels/shafts, and use a sanding jig to get the right diameter, what type and grit sandpaper are you using?  I have tried all sorts, and keep destroying the sandpaper with just a few dowels run.  There has to be something better that will last longer.  Any suggestions?

[Pat B]

Charlie, when Dick Bernier tapered the ash shafts I shoot he started out with coarse emory cloth but ended up using a set of fine rasps or files instead. I have a jig set up but haven't tried tapering anything yet so I don't have any first hand knowledge. I do plan to taper the poplar shafting I get from you so when I do that I'll let you know! 

[Buckeye Guy]

I use course sanding at first 80 or 120 grit .
I find the cloth belts for belt sanders work the best .
Then clean up with 220 paper.
Have fun!
Guy

[stringstretcher]

Buckeye Guy?  How are you attaching your paper to your jig?  I have tried the paper off of my thickness sander,  80 grit and it still eats the paper up after a few dowels?

[Pat B]

Charlie, have you tried attaching the paper to the jig with contact cement?

[stringstretcher]

No not yet Pat.  I am trying all sorts of combinations to get a good taper jig and parallel jig made up to sand to final diameter.  Nothing I have come up with yet will let me do any amount of dowels before the paper just goes away.  I sure I will find something in time to do what I need and with the results I want, but for now, I am stumped

[Buckeye Guy]

Spray glue !
Guy

[crooketarrow]

  I just hand plained then 60 or 80 grit finished with 120. I enjoyed doing it this way was more enjoyable and I could almost of if not as fast as a jig.