Foam Backed Sandpaper
by Phil Colson
Woodturner
The reason to attend woodturning club meetings and watch woodturning videos is to find little
tidbits of information that will make you a better turner.
I was recently watching Nick Cook's DVD,
Turning for Food, when I got a really good tip. Nick was
sanding with foam backed sandpaper. What a brilliant idea: the sandpaper forms to the contours of
the piece and insulates from the heat generated by hand sanding. Some of my turning friends and I
have used various different items as an insulator. I have used gloves before but it is not a good idea to use a
glove while touching turning wood, it could grab you. I have used steel wool and synthetic wool, putting
it between me and the sandpaper and it works, but not like foam backed sandpaper.
I have been converted. I use foam backed sandpaper whenever I hand sand. I use
Festool Hand Sanding Pads, which have the grit printed on the back of every piece. It is quarter size and can be
torn or folded to fit your needs. It comes in a wide variety of grits. Try it – I think you'll like it.
It works for me.
Phil can be reached directly via email at
woodturnerphil@gmail.com.
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