Kirk, yes, the balsa/lite ply or whatever rests against the black plastic swivel arm. The arm is a snug fit and tends to stay put. What you do is hold the arm and balsa while pressing the balsa against the block and slide the block back and forth. It's quick and easy (yea, really!). With small balsa sticks, there's no need to cut, just sand the angle.

It's great when you're putting sticks in tail feathers. Cut the stick a bit long and then use the sander to get a perfect angle and snug fit. If it's too long, sand a bit more. If it's too short - well - that's why I do the long sticks first. :stupid:

The block is a bit short and the groove it rides in is somewhat loose, so you need to hold the block snug against the front or back to keep the angle accurate.

Rubber feet keep it steady on most any surface.

They also make a miter saw and miter cut (razor), but with the sander, you probably don't need one. Folks who have them LOVE them.

http://www.fourmost.com/