Foam Backed Sandpaper
by Phil Colson
Woodturner
The reason to attend woodturning club meetings and watch woodturning videos is to find little
tidbits of information that will make you a better turner.
I was recently watching Nick Cook's DVD,
Turning for Food
, when I got a really good tip. Nick was
sanding with foam backed sandpaper. What a brilliant idea: the sandpaper forms to the contours of
the piece and insulates from the heat generated by hand sanding. Some of my turning friends and I
have used various different items as an insulator. I have used gloves before but it is not a good idea to use a
glove while touching turning wood, it could grab you. I have used steel wool and synthetic wool, putting
it between me and the sandpaper and it works, but not like foam backed sandpaper.
I have been converted. I use foam backed sandpaper whenever I hand sand. I use
Festool Hand Sanding Pads
, which have the grit printed on the back of every piece. It is quarter size and can be
torn or folded to fit your needs. It comes in a wide variety of grits. Try it – I think you'll like it.
It works for me.
Phil can be reached directly via email at
woodturnerphil@gmail.com
.
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