Expert: Jamie Yocono - 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
John,

I'm assuming you're using the clips on both sides of your sander to attach the sandpaper, right? Usually, when the paper starts slipping sideways on the sander, it's because the clips are worn out. It could be one of two things - either the springs on each clip isn't supplying enough tension to hold the paper in place, or the "teeth" on the clip have worn down, so they're not "biting" into the sandpaper to hold it in place.

So check your clips, those are why the paper falls off.

Personally, I use sticky backed sandpaper, so I don't have to mess with those darn clips! They wear out, and they're a nuisance I don't need!

Good luck, hope this helps,

Jamie in Vegas

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Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com