BetterHomesAndGardensAustraliaDecember2015_

Photography Brent Wilson, Martyn Rushby, iStockphoto

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CORK BLOCKS

This sturdy rigid block

provides a sturdier

backing for sanding

at surfaces. It is firm

noughtokeepthe

paper against the job

yethasenoughgivesoyoudon’t

destroy the paper. Just like using sand-

ing sheets, there is a method

to getting the most out of

the paper when using

a sanding block.

STEP 1Cut or

tear sheet of

sandpaper into

thirds (see

tip 1). Place

block in centre

of one of these

thirds of a sheet

and wrap the

sandpaper tightly

around the block.

STEP 2Begin sand-

ing, holding the block tightly

onthesides.Whenthepaperonthe

bottom of the block is worn, shift the

paper around the block until an unworn

section is on the bottom and continue.

TRICKY CORNERS

Getting into those hard

oreachplacescanbe

difficult, so here’s a tip.

STEP 1 Cut a square

of sandpaper slightly

bigger than a flexible

filling blade. Coat the back of the paper

with spray adhesive and press firmly

onto the blade. Leave to set.

STEP 2Use a sharp knife to trim

off the sandpaper overhanging the

sides of the blade.

STEP 3 Press the blade, with

sandpaper face down, into the

corner and sand as normal.

Smooth things over with these nitty-gritty tips

bettertip

■ Sandpaper

is graded by a number

that reflects the size of the

grit on the paper. The lower the

number, the coarser it is. The most

commonly used grits are 120–240.

■ Begin with a fine paper and move

on to even finer grades until you have

a smooth surface.

■ When sanding timber, always

sand with the grain so any

minor sanding scratches

are disguised.

SANDPAPER

SHEETS

To get the best use out

of a sheet of sandpaper

and reduce wastage,

ollow the ‘thirds

method’.

STEP 1Fold a sheet of sandpaper

into thirds crossways. Tear or cut the

paper along the creases formed

in the paper.

STEP 2 Take one of

these thirds of a sheet

and fold that into

thirds with the three

sections folded over

each other.

STEP 3 Sand with

the folded section

until it is dull, flip

over to use the

second section then

flip again to use the

third. As well as reduc-

ing waste to zero, the third

fold reduces the tendency of the

paper to slip when in use and will give

you a firm edge to get into corners.

SANDING SPONGE

This is a flexible sanding

block with grit on its

urface used for tackling

urves and other odd

hapes. The sponge

onforms to the shape

as it is pressed down into position.

Sponges are available in a range of grits

from very coarse to very fine so there

is a grade to suit any job you are doing.

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MADE

SIMPLE