SANDING JIGS

Sanding is one of woodworking’s most tedious tasks, but there are tools and techniques to make the job easier and improve your results. The use of a simple jig will help improve the speed and efficiency of most operations, and make tricky tasks easier to accom­plish. Several are shown here and on the following pages. A custom-made sand­ing block (page 100), for example, allows you to smooth contours that would oth­erwise be difficult to reach. For sanding the edge of circular workpieces, a circle – sanding jig (page 96) is designed to hold a belt sander on its side while you feed the stock across the belt. Also useful is a jig for surfacing thin stock (page 99) on the radial arm saw.

For everyday sanding tasks, use the auxiliary sanding table shown on page 98 or the sanding block on page 100. The latter device, also shown in the pho­to at left, offers a simple way of holding a piece of sandpaper in place against a flat surface. To save time and sandpa­per, consider the tips on gang sanding and folding sandpaper shown on pages 96 and 101.

Auxiliary sanding table (page 93)

Secured to drill press table for sanding operations; features clearance hole for sanding drum

Contoured sanding block (page 100)

Custom-profiled sand­ing surface for smooth­ing moldings

Radiai-arm-saw sanding jig (page 99)

For sanding thin stock on the radial arm saw; clear­ance hole sized to accom­modate sanding drum

Circle-sanding jig (page 96)

Holds belt sander stationary on its side for sanding the edge of circular stock й

Fitted with 220-grit sandpaper, a shop-made sanding block is used to smooth the surface of the rail joining two table legs. A felt or cork pad can be glued to the bottom face of the block to provide even sanding pressure.