I am new to this forum and when I looked at some of the posts, I noticed a lot of discussion about removing fuzzies from basswood. I want to say that I whole heartedly agree with everyone who stated that sanding sealer should be applied prior to sanding. I, personally, sand with 100 or 120 grit, apply sanding sealer, sand with 150 grit, apply sanding sealer one more time and sand with 220 grit. If it is a special piece, or some of my show pieces, I may go to 320 and even 400 grit.

Some other sanding stuff. Several carvers I have talked to are not familiar with these spring loaded sanding sticks. I believe every carver should have three. (I think they sell them in packages of three) I keep one loaded with 120 grit, one with 180 and one with 320. You can get into places that you just can't get to by other means. I even use them for sanding wide open flat places because they are so easy on the hand. Something else, that many people don't know about is that you can go to a beauty supply store and buy these sanding boards (I suppose they use them for finger and toe nails) in a variety of grits and they only cost something like a quarter apiece. They hold up pretty well and some are washable. I think I have 100, 180 and 320 grit. They are quite a bit wider than the sanding sticks and can't get into some of the tight places but they are good and stiff and have many uses. For what it's worth.......

I've never seen the spring loaded sanders that you are referring to. ??? Can you suggest a supplier or possibly describe how they work. They sound useful for detail work.

Thanks,
Mike

If you have the Jan 2003 Woodcraft catalog, you can find them on page 112. They sell them in kit form, standard and finishing. If you haven't got the catalog, you can probably pull them up online at www.woodcraft.com and enter the catalog number. The 24 piece standard kit is nr 123283 and the 24 piece finishing kit is nr 123284. Either one is $19.99. These kits actually contain four sticks with five belts each in 80, 120 180 and 240 grits. Never buy two of the kits, if you decide to get one, get the one with the grits that suits you. There is no sense in duplicating the sticks. Some other vendors sell them in smaller quantities for, of course, less money. But, I digress, you can see a picture and read a description of these things in the catalog (or, probably the website)

Welcome to the board and thanks for the useful information. Hope you come back and contribute to the ongoing flow of information.

Ric

Hey, cool, Duncan - thanks. I've been looking for something just like this. Just looked at them on Woodcraft and I think they'll be great - am ordering them tonight.

Welcome to the gang :-)

Teri

oh, yeah - as for using the sanding sealer during sanding, I understand that it keeps your paint from soaking into the wood during painting. That doesn't work for me...but I've finally figured out that I can keep the fuzzies out of my piece if I do my sanding by hand, starting with 220 or 400 grit, and ending with 2000 grit. No sanding sealer needed...the finish is smooth as silk...and my paint will still soak into the wood.

Teri