Sanding curved surfaces can be a real pain if you are trying to do it with a regular sanding block or with sandpaper alone. However, you can easily construct your own curved sanding block that will make the process much easier than you could ever imagine possible. By utilizing a little piece of crown molding, some glue, and a small block of wood, you will never again have to hassle with the frustrating task of trying to sand curved surfaces without the proper tool.
In order to make your curved sanding block, you will need a few materials. First, you will need a 6-inch long straight piece of molding that has an inward curve to it. Next, you will need a 4-inch long by 1-inch wide straight wood block. Finally you will need some wood glue, white glue, and a piece of sandpaper. Once these materials have been procured, you can begin making your curved sanding block.
The first step to making your curved sanding block is to use the wood glue to attach the 4-inch long by 1-inch wide straight wood block to the back of your 6-inch long piece of molding. This fits your handle to your sanding block. Allow about an hour for the glue to dry before moving to your next step.
The next step is to use the white glue to attach the sandpaper to the front of the 6-inch piece of molding. Make sure that you glue this in a way that the back of the sandpaper is attached to the molding. At this point your sanding block for curved surfaces is finished.
When the sandpaper wears out, you can use a knife to remove the sandpaper from the molding and then re-attach a new piece of sandpaper to the block. Different grades of sanding blocks can easily be made for curved surfaces by gluing a variety of grades of sandpaper to multiple blocks. The various sanding blocks can be constructed by following the instructions above. I have found that it takes a total of about an hour and a half to construct a sanding block for curved surfaces using this method.
Without a doubt, you will find that this type of sanding block will be extremely useful on any type of rounded surface you need to sand. I have personally used this type of tool on stair rails, table legs, chair legs, and poles for a clothes’ line. Ever since coming across this technique for sanding curved surfaces, I have sworn by having one of these tools in my toolbox for home improvement projects.
Sources
Personal Experience
“Sanding Block,” Backwoodsman Magazine (September 2011 issue)
“How to Make Your Own Sanding Block,” Essortment