Took me 12 years to figure out blocking sandpaper saves me half the time on a repair

Used to just tear off sheets and work with whatever size I got, but after a buddy showed me how he blocks his paper with a cork sanding block back in June I cut my feathering time way down and I'm wondering how many other guys still just use paper loose in their hand like I did for so long?

3 comments

3 Comments

samrodriguez20d ago

Have you tried different grit sequences when you block sand, or do you basically use the same progression you did when you were just using loose paper? I'm curious if you had to change how you step through the grits once you switched to blocking. Because when I started blocking paper, I found I could skip a grit or two in the middle, which saved even more time and material. Did you notice anything like that or did you keep your old routine the same?

samrodriguez20d ago

Wait, you mean I'm supposed to change my old habit? I've been doing the same 80-120-220-400 grit dance for like ten years now, and you're telling me I can skip a whole step? Man, I'm either really efficient or really stubborn. But yeah, once I switched to blocking I noticed I could jump from like 120 straight to 220 without any issues, as long as I'm not being a total gorilla with the block. Its like the block forces the paper to do its job better, so you don't need to baby it through every single grit. Honestly, I kept my old ways for way too long because I'm a creature of habit, but skipping a grit or two has saved me a ton of time and sandpaper. So yeah, your experience is spot on, but don't tell my 180 grit stash I'm cheating on them.

sarahpark20d ago

Oh man, you're totally right about changing up the grits! I used to go 100-150-220-320 religiously with loose paper, but once I started using a block I realized I could go 100 straight to 220 on most jobs. The block just keeps the paper flat so it cuts evenly instead of digging in with your fingers. I save so much time now, and my 150 grit stash is feeling neglected too haha.