I got about 80 small oak blocks (about 15cm x 19mm x 19mm) that I want to smooth off on two of the long faces. They were ripped with a table saw from some oak planking which has left the sides a bit rough and with a few burns from the saw.They're not going to be terribly visible but I've tried sanding with my orbital sander (not one of the random ones but one with a big rectangular foot) which does seem to touch them, even with a coarse grade paper. I don't know whether it's a problem with the grade of paper I'm using or whether orbital sanders are just a bit pants or just down the the fact that it's oak.If there a better tool (always looking for excuses to buy better tools) or is there a demon paper/other abrasive that would do the job?Tim

"does seem to toch them", so what is the problem? B-)Bit of both I suspect.Try a belt sander along the grain fitted with aluminium oxide paper. I've not got a belt sander but it's on the list I've had enough of orbital types dieing on me and they aren't that good at sanding if anything more than a minimal amount of material needs to be removed.For hand sanding aluminium oxide papers are much better than anything else I've tried, the particles stay sharp longer and clogs and be simply removed by knocking the paper/sanding block against something.

Best tool for sanding oak blocks?

Aug 27, 2008 21 Replies

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John Rumm 17 years ago

The disc rotation is driven by a slip clutch arrangement, so it is not in lock step with the orbital action, and the speed can vary under load. That all helps keep the sanding direction "random".

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The Natural Philosopher 17 years ago

formatting link

elbow grease

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