Sheets: The most basic form of sandpaper is sandpaper sheets. You can find these in any hardware store (we love HomeDepot) or online. Sheets can be cut, rolled up or most commonly folded into squares that you can use. 

Random Orbital Sander: A random orbital sander is a handheld power-tool that oscillates a sanding disk in random patterns. This helps avoid showing sanding marks on your surface. You can go a long way with a random orbital sander and I recommend it in my scrappy cat toolbag.

Belt Sander: A belt sander is the random orbital sanders older, more jacked bar fight starting cousin. Regardless of the grit, the belt sander is designed to rip layers off your project. When used right, this is one of the best ways to shave off imperfections (like band saw marks). When used incorrectly it can cause uneven surfaces and damaged corners.

Spindle Sander: Mostly used for curved edges, a spindle sander is a great addition to a workshop, especially if you are using a scroll saw. 

Sanding Discs and Drums: More of a niche. Sanding discs can be attached to grinders and rotary tools (like a dremel) have discs and drums. This allows you to get into hard to reach places

Sandpaper comes in all sorts of sizes and shapes. Some will be square and stick to a tool, some will be spongy with crevices to catch dust and some will be little tiny wheels that spin real fast. For all the variations, one thing will be consistent – they will all have a grit rating.

The higher the number, the finer the grit. You will always start with a rougher grit (a number closer to 1) and work your way up the scale. In general, I sand with 80 grit then 120 grit and then sometimes with 220. There are plenty of projects that require a tweak to this rule, but I like to start here and then decide if my project requires more or less than the standard rubbin’. 

Sanding is messy. Even with dust collection its inevitable that the dust will get out. I suggest wearing a mask when sanding with power tools (like a orbital or belt sander).

I almost always “pop the grain”. Popping the grain is a simple process, I run a moderate amount water over the wood and wipe it clean. When the wood dries tiny fibers pop up ready to be sanded. 

When hand sanding, go with the grain. Meaning, follow the direction of the lines on the wood. In this picture you would sand up and down. 

Cleaning up the dust from the workstation is obvious but be sure to clean the wood too. You will likely be sealing your project and if you don’t clean the dust it will be forever trapped inside the seal. 

 I use a damp rag and scrub the project, for large projects I may even hose it down and then dry with a towel.

Sanding is an absolutely critical step in virtually every woodworking project. Proper sanding leads to beautiful representations of grain. Improper sanding can ruin the look of your hard work.

Next Up: Hiding the AC Duct

Click the picture above to learn how I hid the unsightly shiny ductwork.