I used to think sanding by hand was the only 'right' way for final prep

For over a decade, I'd spend hours hand-sanding everything to 220 grit before finishing, convinced power tools would leave marks. About six months ago, I tried a random orbital sander with 320-grit Abranet mesh for a big tabletop job. The surface was flawless and it cut my prep time in half. I realized my old rule was just stubbornness, not quality. Now I use the sander for flat surfaces and save hand work for curves and details. Has anyone else made a switch like this that went against their old training?

2 comments

2 Comments

michaelw2616d ago

Ever try it on something like a chair leg?

caseyrivera15d ago

Yeah, I've done that before. You need to wrap the leg tight and go slow. If you rush it, the wrap bunches up and looks bad. A little heat from a hair dryer helps it stick to rounded surfaces better. Just take your time and it turns out fine.