Sanding Blocks
There’s another category of prep tools that are just as important as the ones I’ve mentioned already: sanding blocks. What sets these apart are their DIY nature. I find that the best are the ones you make yourself.
SIMPLE SCRAPS.
The sanding blocks are the easiest of the ones to make. Small pieces of plywood or hardboard can be cut to suit the needs of a project. Over time, you’ll end up with a small box of blocks you reach for.
These blocks are meant for final touch-up work, not heavy sanding. So I use these with fine grit paper. The photo below shows one common use. To create a simple chamfer, I ease sharp edges with a few strokes of the sanding block.
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| Think of this small block like a sandpaper version of a block plane. It works for tight spaces and breaking edges with a chamfer. |
To put them to work, I apply a piece of adhesive-backed sandpaper and trim it flush with a utility knife. This step leaves the edges clear so you can sand up to an adjacent surface without leaving scratches.
Adhesive sandpaper is easy to change. However, you can use spray adhesive with ordinary sheets of sandpaper. The light duty versions of the spray adhesive allow you to peel off a worn out sheet and replace it.
DOWELS FOR CURVES.
When you need to refine and smooth inside curves and arcs, a flat sanding block won’t work. Instead, I reach for a dowel, as you can see in the bottom photo.
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| Short lengths of dowels in a variety of diameters work like hand-powered sanding drums to smooth and refi ne curves and radii on your projects. |
Not just any dowel will do. Select a dowel that’s a large as possible to fit into the curve. The larger size follows the curve better and is less likely to leave divots. You could attach the sandpaper with spray adhesive like the other blocks, but I find that simply pinching the paper works just as well in most cases.
DELUXE SANDING BLOCK.
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| This shop-made sanding block accepts quarter sheets of sandpaper to smooth flat surfaces with a comfortable grip. |
The final sanding block I want to highlight is the one shown at left. This fancy looking one is designed primarily for flat surfaces. It’s made from two-by scrap I had. Download the free plan on Woodsmithplans.com.
A quarter-sheet size of sandpaper slips into a saw kerf in the back and is secured with a hardboard clamping pad and knob. Since the paper wraps around the front, you can use the nose of the block for sanding details and tight curves.
The bottom of the block is lined with cork. This cushions the sandpaper so it lasts longer and clears sanding dust better.
The top of the block is shaped for a comfortable grip. I actually made two of these so I could have two different grits of paper at the ready.
