How to Load and Use A Sanding Block

Cut a strip from the sandpaper sheet to fit into the block. This strip should be 9" long, so be sure to position your sandpaper correctly, or you will be wasting some of it.

Place the sanding block on the edge of the sandpaper. Its length should be running parallel with the 9" length of the sandpaper, to optimize sandpaper usage. Draw a line to mark the width you need and cut your sandpaper strip. Slip the end of the sandpaper into the opening on one end of the block. The sandpaper should be facing up.

Wrap the sandpaper strip around the bottom of the sanding block, making sure the strip is smooth and tight. Set the block on the table. Pull up the top portion of the opening on the other side of the block and insert the sandpaper strip. Press the top back down firmly to secure the sandpaper.

Hold the sander in your hand, resting the curved top in your palm, much as you rest your hand on a keyboard mouse. To sand, gently push the sanding block back and forth on the surface you are sanding. The sanding block is quite easy to control to sand small corners and edges, and will quickly smooth out large surfaces.

Once you get the hang of loading and unloading the sanding block, your sanding chores will take a lot less time, and you will be saving wear and tear on your fingers and hands. Big electric sanders are nice for large jobs, but they can be too big and powerful for simple little jobs. Try using an inexpensive little sanding block, and you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.