Finishing & Sanding

Sanding and finishing can become less tedious by using a few of these simple tricks.


How to Get a Smooth, High-Gloss Finish on MDF

How to Get a Smooth, High-Gloss Finish on MDF

Transform ordinary MDF with a smooth, high-gloss finish inspired by automotive paint. Careful surface preparation, primer, thin coats of gloss … Read More

Corner Sanding Block

Corner Sanding Block

Depending on the shape and size of a workpiece, creating rounded corners can be a challenge. I came up with … Read More

12 Essential Wood Finishing Supplies for Your Workshop

12 Essential Wood Finishing Supplies for Your Workshop

A well-stocked finishing cabinet makes every finishing job easier. Keep these 12 essential supplies on hand so you're ready to … Read More

How to Use Wax to Finish Wood Furniture

How to Use Wax to Finish Wood Furniture

A wax finish brings out the color and grain of wood while leaving the surface feeling natural. Learn how to … Read More

Add Dust Extraction Holes To Sanding Discs

Add Dust Extraction Holes To Sanding Discs

At a garage sale, I came across a stack of hook and loop sanding discs. But the discs didn’t have … Read More

Graco Ultra QuickShot Sprayer Review: A Compact Cordless Airless Sprayer

Graco Ultra QuickShot Sprayer Review: A Compact Cordless Airless Sprayer

The Graco Ultra QuickShot is a compact, battery-powered airless sprayer with a lightweight, separate spray gun. After using it on … Read More

Working with Spanish Cedar

Working with Spanish Cedar

I’m making a cigar box from Spanish cedar and need some information. Do the oils in the wood make it … Read More

Best Finish for a Workbench: Oil, Wax or Varnish?

Best Finish for a Workbench: Oil, Wax or Varnish?

A workbench finish needs to protect the wood without making the top slick or difficult to repair. Here's how oil, … Read More

How To Flatten Box Bottoms

How To Flatten Box Bottoms

I was making some canisters from tree branches and needed a way to flatten the bottom. My technique derives from … Read More

A Handy Sander Fence

A Handy Sander Fence

Most edge sanders feature a miter gauge slot so that you can support a workpiece while trimming its end. That … Read More

DIY Sanding Blocks

DIY Sanding Blocks

Sanding blocks. What sets them apart is their DIY nature. I find that the best are the ones you make … Read More

Review: Fuji D6 Sprayer

Review: Fuji D6 Sprayer

If you’re a regular reader of Woodsmith, then you’ll know that we often use spray-on finishes for our projects. Of … Read More

Tips For Painting Wooden Furniture

Tips For Painting Wooden Furniture

Over the years, we have experience with painting projects using products and techniques from aerosol cans to milk paint and … Read More

Problem Solving With Woodsmith Prefinishing

Problem Solving With Woodsmith Prefinishing

The hardest part of finishing a project with lots of joints is getting consistent coverage on every surface. Applying the … Read More

Turning Wood Into Heavy Metal

Turning Wood Into Heavy Metal

Finishing and sanding the I-beam with Dillion Baker. Read More