Tip #33
Tips & Techniques For Better Lathe Turning (continued)
Printer friendly version of Tip - Pg. 1-4, Pg. 5-7 (PDF)
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Sanding & Finishing

Once your project is turned, you may need to do a bit of sanding, before applying your finish. Here are a couple of “tricks” to make this easier:

• To sand a straight, tapered spindle turning, try using a 12" Sanding Disc as your “sanding block”.
  

• To sand beads and coves, use a piece of sandpaper, folded over several times to protect your fingers from heat build-up.
  
  
• There are some other sanding aids that could make this job simpler for you. Among there are :
  
  
  • Small diameter Sanding Drums, which can be used like your Sanding Disc described above.
    
    
  • Abrasive Cords & Tapes - which easily reach into the tiniest coves in spindle or faceplate turnings
    
    
  • Tadpole-type sanders for concave or convex surfaces