Homemade Sanding Blocks

by sbanas

23K26118

Intro: Homemade Sanding Blocks

I wanted to make a couple of sanding blocks to be used for hand sanding in tight places, and for flattening or contouring. The main one is based on a design by DiResta, and I came up with a couple others. This sanding block is very efficient and gets much use out of sandpaper, plus the sandpaper is easily replaceable.

STEP 1: Materials

For the main sanding block I used:

- Round hook and loop sanding sheets
- Stick on Velcro strips
- Scrap 1x6s
- Wood Glue
- Spray adhesive
- Spray Shellac

STEP 2: Cutting Circles

I used one of the sanding sheets to make a circle for the bottom of the sander. Then I used the inside of a tape roll for the top hand grip. After that I cut out the circles with the jigsaw.

STEP 3: Attaching Circles Together

I first sanded down the circles, so they were smooth. Then I centered up the top circle, put on some wood glue, and screwed it down. I also finished it by giving it a shellac spray finish.

STEP 4: Attaching Velcro

I stuck on three strips of the Velcro, and used an Exacto knife to cut it even with the circle. The glue that came on the Velcro wasn't really strong enough, so I added a spray adhesive to make it stronger.

STEP 5: Stick on Sandpaper and Sand

After that I stuck on a sanding sheet and started sanding. It works just like a regular orbital sander, except it uses human power instead of electricity. You can easily replace the sandpaper by peeling it off and sticking on a new one. I also added on a small piece of string so I can hang it.

STEP 6: Sanding Blocks

Here are some other sanding blocks I made. For these I basically used spray adhesive on the back of sand paper, and stuck them to some scrap pieces of wood. These sanding blocks are very effective, super easy, and get much more use out of sandpaper.

17 Comments

bettina-sisr 9 years ago

Great Instructable! Thanks for the concise explaination too. I sand metal a lot and I could use this. Time to get the stick-on velcro

Jobar007 9 years ago

If you tapered your little circle so the narrow side was against the pad, it would be more comfortable to hold. Alternatively, if you can find a large, wooden knob that could be used as well. It helps with grip and reduces hand fatigue when using a sanding pad.

I'm going to sound like a masochist, but I actually like hand sanding. This even applies to large surfaces. When working on fairing my home built boat, I found hand sanding or using a fairing board to be just as fast as my random orbital, but I was much less likely to sand through the thin epoxy and fiberglass coat. It also felt very therapeutic as I could let my mind wander and to process the day's events and work on getting tomorrow organized.

rayswiffer 9 years ago

I use wine bottle corks. get them for free an wine makeing stores.

they work great

sbanas 9 years ago

I totally agree it also gives you a greater pride in your work by doing it by hand.

spark master 9 years ago

Bravissimo, use extremely fine grains for sharpening things, especially the rods for use with gouges and serrated things.

LP2 9 years ago

Excellent thanks, can't believe it never occurred to me.

I always buy the rubber sandpaper blocks, not any more.

the norm 9 years ago

Instead of looking for and buying the belt cleaner, I use an old thong (the rubber pad things people walk on the beach with - not the female under thing).
I took some from my daughter, They works great, and they were free!!

LP2 9 years ago

lmao, Thanks !

Ahaa 9 years ago

That belt cleaner is a great suggestion I didn't know they existed!

Odie Sr.O 9 years ago

Beachsidehank>>

Old sneakers make a good cleaner also. . .

acoleman3 9 years ago

this is rather brilliant. as a woodworker myself....i'm impressed!

loony1 9 years ago

I've always just folded the sandpaper around a piece of wood, large enough to grasp hold of it. With your gluing and velcro methods, I see an immediate lack of waste with the grasp-portion of material. Thanks for sharing your idea.

sbanas 9 years ago

I've never heard of that thanks for the suggestion.