Finishing/sanding your woodwork + carvings?

[Craig F-J]

What do you guys use to finish your carvings, benches etc with? I've used a random orbital sander on coasters, and briefly, a grinder with sanding pads. Both did the job well but I now need to buy one or the other.

 

Just wondering what the popular choice is for the more experienced of you?

[Rob D]

Sanding is where most of the work is IMO. I now use angle grinders to get the saw marks out of wood (with a range of different grits) and finish with a makita orbital sander.

 

Have used belt sanders in the past but found them to be too slow...

[Bart]

I use a grinder and sanding disc, then usually some type of oil, Danish or teak.

[John Barleycorn]

If its for indoor woodwork then I give it a coat of sanding sealer and then wax it

[Craig F-J]

If its for indoor woodwork then I give it a coat of sanding sealer and then wax it

 

Does this sanding sealer reduce the sanding required on your pieces? (he asks hopefully)

Edited October 10, 2009 by Craig F-J

[Craig F-J]

Sanding is where most of the work is IMO. I now use angle grinders to get the saw marks out of wood (with a range of different grits) and finish with a makita orbital sander.

 

Have used belt sanders in the past but found them to be too slow...

 

Yes, having used both a grinder and an orbital I can see that 1 would work well with the other. Hoped that there may have been a way of avoiding buying both. I'm hand sanding Yew coasters at the minute, what a workout!