Maybe it's because it is Labor Day Weekend, I don't know, but I have been thinking a lot recently about the labor we put into sanding. Sanding should be simple, right? I mean seriously, glue some tiny sharp bits onto a piece of paper and rub away! But we all know it is not nearly that simple. There are different grits, abrasives, backers, glues, motions, pressures, wet sanding, dry sanding, even the shape of the grit can mean the difference in the sheen of a sanded surface. And what you need to sand is just as important as what you use to sand it.

For a simple idea, it can get very complicated. And maybe that is why there are so many tips, tricks and articles devoted to sanding. I typed "sanding" into the YouTube Search bar and got "about 311,000 results"! Three hundred and eleven THOUSAND videos have been created about sanding! So over the next few blogs, I want to have a conversation about sanding tips, tricks and techniques, and I want to start with favorite tips to avoid doing it in the first place! What sort of tips can you share about not having to sand or at least re-sand, whatever it is you are working on?

I'll give you an example: I needed to attach some parts on a recent project using wood pins. First, I used a backer block when drilling the holes for the pins. This keeps the bit from damaging the wood around the hole as it exits. Then, I put a piece of painter's tape over the hole before driving the pin in. The tape helps prevent my saw or chisel scratching the stained surface as I trim the pin flush. Simple steps that can save a bunch of aggravation along the way.

So this is your chance to chime in with your solutions. What tips do you have to share for preventing or at least reducing the sanding chores around your work place? You can share by commenting here on this blog, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter. -2Sand.com