You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Trouble with Palm Sander

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/21/2011


Question
I am having trouble getting sheets of sand paper to stay on my square palm sander without them tearing off rather quickly.  Is there a trick to this or should I be using a different type of sander.  I am sanding down parts of a deck (posts and railings) in order to get ready to seal and stain it.  Thank you.

Answer
No, there's not any real secret.  Are these clamped down on both ends?   It could be the paper purchased is thin.  We don't use the square palm sanders anymore, having reverted to all orbital sanders.   When we had them we used 80 grit most of the time and only had these tear on us when they were worn out.   We reverted to a thick, hard-backed type of paper, with a plastic back, and they would last forever.  We purchased these by the roll from Klingspore and still use them today.

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Joseph G. Swallow

Expertise

I can answer all staircase balustrade questions where handrails, newels posts, balusters (wood and metal), and stair treads are concerned. I cannot help with cabinetry and floor (outside of stair-related treads and risers), as well as stain and finish issues unless staircase related.

Experience

30 years in the stair industry. Founder of Hardwood Creations in Southern California and CEO of Westfire Manufacturing, Inc. I was a stair builder for 10 years, both in custom and production housing. Have estimated over 750,000 single family homes and provided materials to lumber yards and builders for 12 years. Was an expert witness in several staircase related law suits in Southern California. Stair codes, installation help, stair handrail and balustrade installation are what I know best.

Organizations
NAHB of Portland, OR. Was a member of ICBO for 9 years.

Education/Credentials
Cal State Fullerton, Cypress College

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.