Sanding Raised Panel End Grain

[Stewart Crick]

Just wondering what techniques/tools everyone uses. I usually just hand sand going one grade higher (i.e.: bulk of panel to 150 or 180 & end grain at 220) then the rest of panel to even out the finish absorption.

Stu

[mike lucas]

I use either a 5" or 6" air random orbital sander. this beat the pants off of sanding it by hand. The pad is soft enough that it forms the shape pretty good. At least good enough that no one has complained yet. And I have sold well over 1000 raised panels in one form or another. (On cabinets of corse )

[Ted Shrader]

Just wondering what techniques/tools everyone uses. I usually just hand sand going one grade higher (i.e.: bulk of panel to 150 or 180 & end grain at 220) then the rest of panel to even out the finish absorption.

Stu

Stu -

That is exactly what I do using a block cut to mirror the shape of the profile. I worry about using a RAS - may tend to "dull" the sharp edges of the profile where it meets the field of the panel. If your panel has a smooth transition, no problem.

Ted

[Steve Clardy]

Same technique as Mike. ROS sander

[Fred Voorhees]

I'm another vote for the random orbital sander. Yes, if you are not careful, you can climb up the raised portion and dull the crisp edge of the panel's field, but I usually like to knock that edge off anyway since it would take finish better when it is not as crisp and sharp an edge. I have a soft pad for my ROS that is placed between the sanders base and the actual sanding disk. It conforms very well to the raised panels edges and does a fantastic job.

[Rob Littleton]

Stewrat -

That is exactly what I do using a block cut to mirror the shape of the profile. I worry about using a RAS - may tend to "dull" the sharp edges of the profile where it meets the field of the panel. If your panel has a smooth transition, no problem.

Ted

[QUOTE=Ted Shrader]Stewrat -

Thats funny.....sorry

[Ted Shrader]

Rob -

You're right! It is. But then proof reading isn't one of my strong suits. So I fixed it. . . . . Stu has probably been called worse.

Sorry, Stewart.

Ted

[Stewart Crick]

Ted,

That's actually one of the nicest things I've been called!

To the others, I've never used a ROS sander on raised panel end grain. Is there an after market soft pad your employing to do this? My ROS are both Porter Cables--one VS one not. Any special technique when doing this with a ROS?

Stu

[larry merlau]

try using a mop sander in the drill press.