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Basics to Sanding Wood
Wood Sanding Basics.
Love it or loathe it, wood sanding is essential in every woodworking project. Sanding wood may seem like a tedious task, but it’s an important prep step before staining or finishing wood. In reality, it’s not that hard to do! So don’t skip this step — it will make your finish look much better. Sanding wood is a pretty simple task. All you need is some sandpaper and some elbow grease! Just rub the sandpaper against the wood to remove a thin layer of wood. You likely won't be able to see the scratches as you sand, but trust me, they're there!
There are so many types of sand papers!
A lot of people think that when it comes to sanding, the rougher the better. This simply isn't the case. In fact, using a grit coarser than 80 can damage your project. Woodworkers usually use 80 grit to remove finishes or rough-sand newly stripped wood. Coarse sandpaper leaves large scratches that can be difficult to remove. To avoid these marks, use a progression of finer grits, between 120 grit to 320grit. Of course, this depends on your preference of finish. Example: I will start with grit 80 then progress to 120 before going to 180 and then grit 240. Most of the time, I will finish with grit 320.
Using sanding pads or sanding blocks. Does it really help?Image: https://www.doityourselfdivas.com/2010/11/diy-sanding-wooden-furniture.html
While sanding wood sounds tedious, there are several tools that will help you to do the job comfortably. In this post, we will cover the sanding blocks/pads.
Sanding blocks are one of the most important tools for woodworkers and professionals in construction, glass making, and plastic refining. They're portable and handy, and the best ergonomic models will allow you easy handling and control. With a sanding block, you're certain of a smooth, perfect finish better than anything ordinary sandpaper can offer. We list below some of the better ones that we have worked with.
What you can consider.
You can see some of the sandpapers available from us and on Amazon on the links below.
You can also get 5 inches rounded sand paper at a very low price from Timber Actually. We have wide range of sand paper grits from 80 - 320 grit.
Get them here at Timber Actually : https://timberactually.com/collections/tools-and-supplies?sort_by=title-ascending
This sanding block is perfect for woodworking, hobbies, crafting, auto body, drywall, and more. It's comfortable to use, thanks to its ability to absorb and dampen vibrations. We love working with this also because of its velcro base. We can easily change sandpaper.
Get this sanding pad at ridiculously low price here: https://timberactually.com/collections/tools-and-supplies/products/5-inch-mouse-hand-sanding-pad-hook-and-loop-sanding-block-hook-backing-plate-for-woodworking
The Warner Sanding Block Hand Sander is a great choice for users looking for an easy-to-use and effective sanding block. This sanding block features a dimpled rubber surface that helps keep the sandpaper in place and ensures an even sanding surface. The rubber surface also makes sanding easier and faster. Plus, its versatile design allows it to sand corners, curves, and flat surfaces.
Get this on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rL4P4d
Do you need an easy-to-use, durable sanding block? This one is perfect for you! The design is portable and ergonomic, so you can easily control it. Plus, it's simple to clean and reuse. It comes in four grit varieties: Coarse, Medium, Fine and Superfine. The grits are printed right on the blocks' surfaces, so you can easily tell them apart.
Get this on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sE6Led
If you are looking for sheets of sandpapers, these are some that you can also try and work with:
Get this on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BkSPdd
Get this on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uKgAd9
Sanding Direction – Where and How should I do it?
When you're sanding wood, it's important to always sand with the grain. This way, you'll avoid scratches and get a smoother finish. Depending on the tool you're using, it might not always be possible to sand with the grain. In those cases, just make sure to avoid sanding against the grain.
Image: https://settleinelpaso.com/sanding-tips-for-home-woodworking/
Conclusion
When it comes to woodworking, sanding is a major activity. Being able to sand wood provides flexibility when it comes to furniture. You can either purchase rough sawn wood planks or unfinished furniture or find old pieces and refinish them. Do you have any tips on sanding or woodworking in general? If so, please share them with us in the comments section below.
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