10/25/2026
Join us at the Hamilton Woodworking Show. Nov 13-15, 2026 to shop all things woodworking, and attend seminars and workshops.
🪵 WHERE SHOULD YOU START SANDING?
80 grit? 120? 180?
The answer: start where the wood needs you to start.
Your first grit should remove tool marks, torn grain and imperfections. After that, each finer grit removes the scratches left by the one before it.
👉 Rough surface? Start around 80–100.
👉 Minor marks? Try 120.
👉 Clean finishing cuts? You may be able to start at 150–180.
One important rule: sandpaper shouldn’t have to do the job of your turning tool. Sometimes sharpening your tool and taking one more light finishing cut will save you a whole lot of sanding.
Then work progressively through your grits, use fresh abrasive and avoid excessive pressure and speed. Heat is not your friend.
And don't rush through the early grits. If you leave a scratch behind, there's a good chance you'll find it again when the finish goes on. 😬
Better cuts = less sanding.
There’s no prize for always starting at 180… and no prize for trying to make 180 do the job of 120 either. 😉
Turning knowledge into better turning.
