Hand sanding epiphany or put some weight behind it!

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
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Well I still struggle but it made a big difference.

I used to approach hand sanding not as hard work and didn't put enough “physical” effort into it. I then saw one of Nick Wheeler's recent post about it where he uses a solid stable base (which I already have) and leans into it putting real pressure. I gave it a try and for the first time actually broke a sweat sanding. Well I saw a real improvement in the amount of time needed to get rid of the previous grit's scratches.

Try it if like me you were doing more rubbing than sanding. And of course don't forget the change of direction between each grit. It's essential and also something that, even if I knew about it, didn't always do for some unknown reason.

Thanks Grandpa Nick! :D
 
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It does make a huge difference. Amen to that.

I change direction by about 30 deg. or so each grit, it's the only way I can be sure I got all the previous scratches out...
 
This last summer I watched JD Smith demo grinding and stoning (rather than sanding). He basically did all his sanding (stoning) paralleling the blade. When he finished with a grit he worked it on a bias before switching to the next. That created a reference scratch pattern he worked out with his next grit while stroking parallel to the blade again.
 
Nick is turning into a real teacher on here with his little videos, I got the same results after trying a few of the things that he suggested in that sanding video. Half the paper/half the time:thumbup: I have always crossed my sanding directions between grits though, but that was thanks to the members here when I first started. I can't lean into my sanding yet but when I can look out:p
 
So Patrice, does this mean your production rate will go up, and the world will now be flooded with P. Lemée knives? (Crossing my fingers)
 
unky_gumbi said:
I can't lean into my sanding yet but when I can look out:p
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AH crap, darn Engwish! I thought that this was a good way to say what I meant. :o

Greg, I wish hand sanding was the reason for the poor production rate. :( Don't get ready for that flood just yet. ;)
 
I discovered elbow grease first, but the direction-switching later. You need both!
Together blades clean up MUCH faster, and I'm less likely to lose patience with it entirely.

-Daizee
 
You can do a lot with rigidity, mass, pressure and physical fitness. These factors are a larger part of fabricating anything than most people think.
 
Patrice Lemée;10222900 said:
AH crap, darn Engwish! I thought that this was a good way to say what I meant. :o

Greg, I wish hand sanding was the reason for the poor production rate. :( Don't get ready for that flood just yet. ;)
Click to expand...

No I physically can't exert a lot of pressure yet because of my elbow problems:o
 
Either Dan Farr or Burt Foster, can't remember which, told me that it is okay to cheat by using very fine grit belts like 400 and 600 grit to get that first "crosshatch" sanding or two done assuming you have a steady hand. After my limited experience with "medium" grit Gator belts like 65 and 45 micron, I may have to try that again if I can get some finer than 45..
 
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