Just realized I was sanding wrong after a demo at the Charlotte Woodworking Show

I was at the Charlotte Woodworking Show about three months ago and watched a guy from a finishing supply booth do a demo on a maple tabletop. He said 'you're just pushing dust around' and showed how to sand with the grain in overlapping circles, not straight lines. I tried it on a walnut desk I was refinishing, and it cut my sanding time almost in half. The surface felt way smoother before I even started with the first coat of oil. Has anyone else picked up a trick like that from a show or class that really stuck?

2 comments

2 Comments

seana142mo agoMost Upvoted

I always sanded in straight lines too. That demo completely changed how I work.

tylerbutler2mo ago

That demo made me switch to circles years ago.