Rule of thumb for sanding

[Harvey M. Taylor]

Is it a good rule of thumb to advance half the grit sice for sanding. Ex.-from 100 to 150 to 220 etc? if not, what is a good rule? Max

[Steve Schlumpf]

Harvey - not sure if there is a rule out there but this is what works for me: 120, 150, 180, 220, 280, 320, 400. I may not start at 120 - might start at 220 (or 80) - but follow the sequence from that point on.

[Terry Quiram]

Harvey

I try not to jump more that 1/2 the value of the previous grit. For instance if you start with 150 do not jump more than 75, so the next MAX grit size would be 225. If you make too large of a jump you will be sanding forever to remove marks from lower grit paper. It is also a very good idea to remove all the sanding dust before going to the next step. On the lathe I use an air hose. Off the lathe I use a tack rag.

[Bernie Weishapl]

If I start at say 80 on a piece I generally go 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220, 280, 320, 400, and 600. Most pieces I rarely ever go over 320 unless it is a show piece. Like Steve if it is a real nice piece, cuts well or a piece I used a skew on I may start at 180 or 220 and what I call trouble wood that I just can't get the tearout off I will start at 80. Not afraid to admit I do use 80 when needed. Just depends on the wood.

[alex carey]

Depends on what it looks like but I usually start 120, 150,220,400,600,800,1000,1500,2000,2500,3000.

Does anyone else go this high?

Alex

[Reed Gray]

I used to do the grits in succession like Bernie, but now I would not use the 100 and 150 grits. The main problem is advancing a grit or two and noticing that you didn't get all the scratch marks out from the previous grits. That is why I would do an extra sanding with the 100 and 150. I have learned to be more thorough the first time. For me, it is 'sand till you think you have all the marks out, and then hit it again.' It does save a bit of time not using the extra grits, and you really don't have to spend extra time with the next higher grit to remove the scratches. I have never blown out or wiped out/off what I am sanding between grits. I figure that if there are any grit particles, they will be sanded out with the dust in short order. I do prefer the power sanding. It is much faster, and does a better job. If you power sand, keep the rpm on your sander down to 600 or so. This also does a better job, and is as fast or faster with the added benefit of not producing as much heat. On the higher grits (220 and up) I will some times wipe it down with my hands. The finer dust will rub into any scratches or voids in the wood and highlite them.
robo hippy

[Radek Kowalski]

I usally start with 150, but if I want to blend a curve or shape something slightly I start off with 60 grit. 60, 150, 220, 400, 600.