Sanding is a task that needs to be done on almost every woodworking project. It removes the marks from the wood made by any kind of milling machine. It also removes the dents, materials from surface & makes the surface smooth & shiny.
Sanding wood manually by hand has some benefits. Precise sanding is one of them. Corners & edges can be sand precisely by hand sanding. Using a power sander even leaves some marks which can only be removed by hand sanding.
Beginners often get confused about how the sanding should be done. So, we have given a step by step guide in this article on how to sand wood by hand.
Ways of Sanding
Sanding can be done in two ways.
- Sanding with a power sander: Here, sanding is done with an electric or air-powered sander.
- sanding by hand: You can use sandpaper or sanding blocks to sand by hand. Sanding blocks are preferred mostly.
Most people prefer using sander as it helps them do the job a lot faster. Although It is a time consuming & monotonous process Still, you can sand by hand when it is needed. Also, there are many small works that have to be done by using hand while sanding.
Why You Should Sand By Hand
Although power sander gives a rapid result, sanding by hand also has significant advantages. The finishing of any sanding process should be done by using hand. Because hand sanding gives more quality finish than a power sander. No matter how good the sander is, it will eventually leave some marks on the surface. Which you should remove using a hand sander.
When you sand by hand, you can sand more precisely where it is needed & also you have more control compared to a power sander. Also, you can sand the edges & corners more accurately & remove the sharpness of the edges.
How to Sand by hand
Here are some basic tips that you need to follow to learn hand sanding properly.
1.Set the Stage
First of all, Prepare the tools you are going to need. Nothing much needed when you sand by hand, only a sanding block or sandpaper is going to be needed.
The most basic rule of sanding is to sand with the grain. When you sand with the grain, the scratches that sandpaper leaves, matches with the grain. And the scratches become almost invisible.
2.Use a Sanding Block
Use a block to sand. You can use just only your hand, but using a padded block will give you more accuracy. You can buy professional sanding blocks or you customize one by yourself. You can make it from a wood piece. Enfold the sandpaper on both sides of the sander & press it with your hand. Now start moving the block on the surface.
3.Choose the Sandpaper
For hand sanding, there are sheet sanders available at the market. You can divide sheet sanders into several pieces & can use one of them. Also, there are sanders that use sheet sandpaper. That’s why most woodworkers use sheet sanders because of its variety of uses.
Most of the people ask about which grit to start with? Well, there is no accurate answer to that. It depends on the surface you are working on. You can skip the grits from between. For example, you can start with 180 & then go to 250.
Final Thought
Although hand sanding requires a lot of patience & time, it gives the exact output users want. Almost every sanding project requires finishing the project with hand sanding. So it is definitely beneficial for you to know how to sand wood surface manually by hand.
FAQ
- What is the Fastest Way to Sand Wood By Hand?
To finish your work faster, you have to speed up your work. Move the sandpaper faster. But it is not recommended to rush in your work. You can use a power sander instead to get the job done. If you are sanding by hand, then have patience & do the job steadily.
- Is Sanding By Hand Difficult?
Hand sanding is the easiest way of sanding. You don’t require much equipment & also don’t have to spend a lot on the project. Anyone with a little sanding knowledge can do the job easily.
- Will Hand Sanding Leave Any Scratches on the Surface?
No matter what, there will be always some marks on the surface. But, hand sanding leaves so little marks that are almost invisible.