These ten reader-submitted sanding tricks from WOOD Magazine use simple guides and shop-made aids to tackle curved work, tight spots, worn abrasives and awkward edges. They are individual workshop ideas—not controlled tests or universal machine-safety guidance—so match each method to your tool, material and task.
Guide curved work for a consistent width
Use a fence with a spindle sander
Allen Bakke describes clamping a bull-nosed bandsaw fence to the spindle sander’s table. He positions the workpiece between the abrasive spindle and the rounded nose of the fence, using the fence as a guide while sanding inside and outside rocker curves. The guide helps keep the width more consistent along the curve. Bakke’s description: “The solution lay in the bull-nosed fence I use to saw curves on my bandsaw.”
Get more from sanding abrasives
Try friction to warm a PSA pad
Johannes Michelsen suggests running a sander pad against a nonmarring surface, such as scrap carpet, before applying pressure-sensitive-adhesive (PSA) paper. This is his observation about helping the paper adhere; check that the pad and surface are compatible and follow the sander maker’s instructions.
Shift a detail-sander triangle
Bill Bartz notes that the outer edges of a detail-sander triangle can wear faster than the rest. His method is to move the paper forward and trim away worn regions to expose fresh abrasive. Bartz says moving it forward twice will triple its life; that is his reported result, not an independently verified guarantee.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL - With a 2.8 amp motor and 13,000 orbits per minute, it's able to deliver a smooth performance over a variety of sanding applications.
- EASY TO CLEAN DUST CONTAINER - The X-flow dust collector uses cyclone force to collect dust in it's easy-to-empty transparent container.
- SPEED CONTROL - Variable speed control provides the right amount of power and control across different materials.
- LOW VIBRATION - Through its ergonomic design and a soft rubber grip your hand stays comfortable while counterweight balance reduces hand fatigue from vibration. All so that you can work longer.
- SAND IN TIGHT PLACES - With a compact size and ergonomic design This sander can get into tight spaces easily and maximizes user control.
Make simple hand-sanding aids
Use an emery board for delicate spots
Verne Holmes suggests using an inexpensive disposable emery board as a small sanding stick for delicate work. He also mentions a metal diamond-dust nail file as a more permanent option. Choose a file and abrasive suited to the material and the amount of stock you need to remove.
Wrap paper around a continuous hinge
Tom Peters wraps sandpaper around an open piano hinge and uses a binder clip to hold it taut. Flipping the hinge presents a square edge that can reach into corners in grooves and dadoes. This gives you a narrow, firm backing where a larger sanding block will not fit.
Rank #2
- 3-Amp motor spins the pad at 8,000 - 12,000 OPM
- Separate counterweight design reduces vibration for improved comfort
- Improved dust-sealed switch protects against dust ingestion for longer switch life
- Dust port is designed to fit directly to the DWV010 or DWV012 dust collectors
- Shorter height allows the user to get closer to the workpiece
Back sandpaper with foam pipe insulation
Frank Ryan recommends cutting a short length of slit foam pipe insulation to support sandpaper on irregular shapes, inside cuts and rounded edges. Masking tape holds the paper in place. For a firmer backing, insert a dowel of the same diameter as the foam.
Adapt machines cautiously
Sharpen jointer knives on glass-backed abrasives
Eric Sutton describes a method using a beveled guide block, a pushblock, double-faced tape, a sheet of 220-grit wet/dry abrasive on flat glass, and a progression to 600 grit. He then flattens the knife’s back and removes the burr. This is a reader-contributed method involving a sharp blade, not a substitute for the jointer manufacturer’s sharpening and handling procedures. Use appropriate safeguards and only proceed if you can control the blade safely.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- SMOOTH FINISH: pad dampening system designed to eliminate swirl marks on both flat and contoured surfaces
- EASY DISC ATTACHMENT: through Bosch's signature Hook and Loop disc attachment system, sanding pads stick to the hand sander, acting like a Velcro-adhesion material
- VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL: powerful 2.5 AMP motor allows speed to work-piece and task matching with ease; no-load OPM: 7,500-12,000
- DUST COLLECTION: features a micro filter system for fine dust and trapping particles as small as a 1/2-micron in diameter. Durable and compact, the dust canister shows dust level and easily detaches for mess-free tasks
- KIT CONTENTS: Includes sanding pad, sanding disc, dampening ring, dust canister, vacuum adapter and carrying bag
Lay a belt sander on its side for edge sanding
Daniel Knippel proposes laying a belt sander on its side and securing it with a plywood cutout and clamps, leaving clearance for the belt. This is an improvised setup; the source does not establish that a manufacturer approves it or that it has been safety-assessed. Do not use it unless the tool’s instructions permit the orientation and you can secure the machine and workpiece against movement.
Build a shield near a disc sander
David Evans describes a plywood-and-pine shield that rests on the table of a belt/disc sander. Treat it as his shop-built idea, not certified guarding advice: the article provides no formal safety evaluation. Do not remove or obstruct a machine’s factory guard, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for guarding and safe workpiece support.
Rank #4
- 3.0 amp motor that spins the pad at 12,000 OPM
- Shorter height allows the user to get closer to work piece
- Separate counterweight design reduces vibration for improved comfort
- Rubber over-mold in all of the critical areas of the sander
- Improved dust-sealed switch to protect against dust ingestion for longer switch life
Repair an imperfect edge-to-edge joint
Fill the gap with a same-species wedge
WOOD Magazine contributor Chuck Hedlund describes gluing a wedge made from the same wood species into a poor edge-to-edge joint. He bevels both sides of the wedge by about 3°, lets the glue dry, then sands the repair flush. The angle is a detail of this contributor’s method, not a universal joint specification.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose a sanding approach for the job
For tight corners, Kreg Tool’s FAQ search excerpt recommends long, even strokes along the grain to reduce visible sanding marks. It also suggests wrapping paper around a dull chisel or putty knife to reach a tight corner. Kreg’s excerpt says rough stock may call for starting around 60 or 80 grit and progressing toward 180–220 grit, but grit choice depends on the wood, the finish you want, the abrasive and the tool; that sequence is not a universal rule. The FAQ is available at Kreg Tool FAQs.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBest Value
- Brushless motor provides runtime and efficiency to get the job done
- Variable-speed control from 8,000 to 12,000 OPM to match the speed to the application.
- Low-profile height allows user to get close to work surface for precise sanding.
- Replaceable 8-hole hook-and-loop sanding pad (DWE64233) for quick, easy paper changing.
- Dust-sealed switch to protect against dust ingestion for long switch life
- For repeatable curves: a fence can guide work on a spindle sander.
- For tight or irregular contours: try a hinge, emery board or foam-backed paper, choosing a firmer or more flexible backing to suit the shape.
- For worn paper: inspect whether repositioning can expose unused abrasive, and confirm the attachment method fits your tool.
- For machine adaptations or blade work: check the tool manufacturer’s safety instructions rather than treating a reader tip as approved procedure.
When buying abrasives, match the grit, format and attachment to the task and tool. For example, wet/dry sheets suit the glass-backed method described above; discs and detail-sander triangles need to match the specific sander’s dimensions and attachment system.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
