Sanding Sticks

[sfotinos]

In many build logs people refer to using sanding sticks.

 

My question are these just sticks made from scrap lumber with sandpaper attached via glue, or are they simply talking about emery boards used for filing nails or both.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks

Shawn

[Jim Rogers]

My sanding sticks are the professional grade Emory boards like those used in Nail Salons. They are beefy, have a foam filler, come in different grits that are color coded and washable. The Beauty Supply shop where I get them sells them for 70 cents each.

[David Rice]

You can wash a Professional Emory Board with water. Emory Boards also have a longer life than sand paper. But, in some situations, a very small and narrow homemade sanding stick is needed.

[Jim Rogers]

You can also trim the Emory boards down to the size you need.

 

[allanyed]

Hand made sticks for various shapes other than flat is a good way to go.  Dowel rod, home made shapes, bow shaped etc.    

Allan

[Paul Jarman]

I make my own with both sand paper and Emory . That way i can decide on the size and shape i need. I use old scraps of flat wood, Dowling and curved wood.

Paul

[lehmann]

I like the belt type sanding sticks.  For instance, Lee Valley sanding stick.  MicroMark also sells them.  Belts are a little pricey, but I find that I mostly use the tip, so I just keep moving the belt.  They are rigid, easy to control, have a fairy find end to get into tight areas and they are narrow enough to see what you're working on.  I use them for tapering and beveling planks - I don't even try to use a plane or knife.

[HIPEXEC]

I just make my own. This way I can have all sorts of sizes and shapes to get into weird places.

[CKNavy]

In some cases I use sanding sponges. They come in many different grits, shapes and sizes. Some are quite thin and can be cut to fit.

[Richvee]

I was browsing the tool shop on the model motor cars  site last week, (link on the forum home page) and ended up placing an order for a bunch of tools, clamps, etc. (great prices and real quick shipping, by the way). I picked up a package of these with my order.

 

https://model-motorcars.myshopify.com/collections/the-tool-shop/products/sanding-twigs-t083

 

They have already come in handy for me finishing off a mast cap. They'll get plenty of use in the near future as I start work on the whaleboats for the Kate Cory.

 

[John Allen]

I second the sanding sticks had them for about 6 months still in good shape there cheap.

Also found this flexible foam palm sander at Wal-Mart has 10 pads of different grits held by Velcro is extremely flexible will get into most areas extremely soft and pliable, easy on the wrist and fingers, sanding pads last forever well almost. True value has them as well as Lowe's. Lowe's sander  is a bit bigger and offers only 2 grits 60, 120 they also have a bigger one shaped like a palm sander. Really one of the best sanding products for the money. The small one at WM $ 5.99 Lowe's bigger one $ 6.00

 

 

 

[Jack12477]

John, the one I got in Lowes had 60, 120, and 220 grits for the little narrow sander. Also bought the larger one with 3 grits of paper.

 

RichVee,  Hobby Lobby also sells those sanding sticks you show in the link.  Come with 2 grits per stick, e.g. 80 - 120, 120 - 220, etc. Just flip the stick over to get the other grit.  Color coded also.

[John Allen]

Jack,

Stand corrected on Lowes grit. I don't know how long they have been out I'm like a kid these things are fantastic especially if you have these 2 friends Arthur & Itis