I want to create the "Best Sanding Blocks Ever"

Dean, I think when done, you will have a great product, and all of us here will help you sell them.
I appreciate the offer to send me some, but dont make, your money!!
Im winding down and just listed a car to give me more room, and when I told my wife today, it was a look of shock.
Hard to part ways sometimes, but we took it for our last spin today.
 
Dean, I think when done, you will have a great product, and all of us here will help you sell them.
I appreciate the offer to send me some, but dont make your money!!
Im winding down and just listed a car to give me more room, and when I told my wife today, it was a look of shock.
Hard to part ways sometimes, but we took it for our last spin today.

As long as your happy, that's what matters.
 
Dean, I think when done, you will have a great product, and all of us here will help you sell them.
I appreciate the offer to send me some, but dont make your money!!
I appreciate the support!
And I'll send you a set anyway. Just so you can "wish I had these back when."
 
I have the AFS blocks and probably the biggest detractor is the rods want to come out while you’re sanding. They do have a nice ergonomic feel to the grip. I think the combination of the polycarbonate pad and a good grip would be ideal.
 
I have the Durablock set but find that I only use the round and teardrop shaped blocks.

The ones that are for blocking panels don't seem to stay flat, but get an arched shape to them. Therefore I end up back to the wooden handled 9" and 16" sanding blocks when I want to be sure things are straight.

Looking forward to what you come up with.
 
I have the AFS blocks and probably the biggest detractor is the rods want to come out while you’re sanding. They do have a nice ergonomic feel to the grip. I think the combination of the polycarbonate pad and a good grip would be ideal.

My biggest gripe is that the spring steel face is too thin and flexible, it can flex enough to absorb high spots.

T0YwwSEh.jpg
 
My biggest gripe is that the spring steel face is too thin and flexible, it can flex enough to absorb high spots.

T0YwwSEh.jpg
Interesting. Mine does not deflect like that. It is much stiffer. I also have to use a lot of force to remove the rods. Purchased maybe 15 years ago.

Don
 
Interesting. Mine does not deflect like that. It is much stiffer. I also have to use a lot of force to remove the rods. Purchased maybe 15 years ago.

Don
That pic is with the rods removed, like if you were blocking a VW bug fender. I did exaggerate the flex in the pic to show that they'll flex quite a bit over individual high spots. Of course you shouldn't have a high spot like that when doing bodywork, but if it flexes that much on a bigger isolated high spot it's definitely not going to hold it's shape very well over smaller high or low spots. Poly/acrylic blocks can't flex that much over a localized spot, even the thinner ones.
 
All this information is really helpful! Thank you.
I agree that the polycarbonate base should do a better job of not deflecting on imperfections, which should result in better results, with less effort.
That seems to be why people like acrylic/polycarbonate and are DIYing their own blocks.
My prototype should be here very soon and I can't tell you how excited I am to hold it in my hands and do some testing . . .

And, I'll be incorporating tensioning rods similar to the AFS blocks.
It is a great idea and having the ability to adjust the flexibility of a sanding block vs. having to have several different blocks is a big deal, I think.
I've noted the comments about the rods both coming out and/or requiring force to insert. That will be addressed in my product.
I've reviewed the AFS (expired) patent and my design, in depth, with a patent attorney and we are confident that we have enough differentiation to be granted a utility patent. And when we file the application, this coming Monday or Tuesday, we will have a "provisional" status and "patent pending" and I will be able to share images and details.

While I am patiently (yeah right) awaiting the prototype, I have been working on some branding ideas.
I've seen lot's if pictures of the AFS blocks and some others (Big Kid Blocks) that come in primary colors, like children's toys.
I don't really get it.
Mine will be a black handle and black polycarbonate base plate. In addition to being a serious tool, I want it to look and feel like a serious tool.

Here is my initial thoughts on naming/branding.

Reactions?

1655927908182.png
 
All this information is really helpful! Thank you.
I agree that the polycarbonate base should do a better job of not deflecting on imperfections, which should result in better results, with less effort.
That seems to be why people like acrylic/polycarbonate and are DIYing their own blocks.
My prototype should be here very soon and I can't tell you how excited I am to hold it in my hands and do some testing . . .

And, I'll be incorporating tensioning rods similar to the AFS blocks.
It is a great idea and having the ability to adjust the flexibility of a sanding block vs. having to have several different blocks is a big deal, I think.
I've noted the comments about the rods both coming out and/or requiring force to insert. That will be addressed in my product.
I've reviewed the AFS (expired) patent and my design, in depth, with a patent attorney and we are confident that we have enough differentiation to be granted a utility patent. And when we file the application, this coming Monday or Tuesday, we will have a "provisional" status and "patent pending" and I will be able to share images and details.

While I am patiently (yeah right) awaiting the prototype, I have been working on some branding ideas.
I've seen lot's if pictures of the AFS blocks and some others (Big Kid Blocks) that come in primary colors, like children's toys.
I don't really get it.
Mine will be a black handle and black polycarbonate base plate. In addition to being a serious tool, I want it to look and feel like a serious tool.

Here is my initial thoughts on naming/branding.

Reactions?

View attachment 21229

That's a great name !!!
 
That pic is with the rods removed, like if you were blocking a VW bug fender. I did exaggerate the flex in the pic to show that they'll flex quite a bit over individual high spots. Of course you shouldn't have a high spot like that when doing bodywork, but if it flexes that much on a bigger isolated high spot it's definitely not going to hold it's shape very well over smaller high or low spots. Poly/acrylic blocks can't flex that much over a localized spot, even the thinner ones.
No way you could deflect mine like that with or without the rods. It is much too stiff. He must have made a change in his blocks at some point.

Now I understand why folks have a much different experience than mine with these blocks. Mine is much different. When did you buy that block?

Don
 
There are a ton of "Flexible Sanding Blocks" on the market; maybe a different slogan that highlights the benefits of your handle design would be good to differentiate your product from others? Communicating that your blocks are more comfortable to use than other poly/acrylic blocks and more precise than foam blocks will be critical to sell the idea to people who are shopping for blocks.

Or, what about trying to buy the AFS brand? You'd have instant brand recognition and could offer two lines of products; a "classic" block set like they used to make which would guarantee instant sales, and add your blocks as a "deluxe/modern/improved" version for those wanting even better blocks.
 
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