Introduction: DIY Sanding Cord - for Wood Turners

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About: I've built houses, decks, custom cabinets, furniture of all types. Ive done furniture repair and restoration, residential and commercial remodels, restaurant seating and tables and hotel furniture. Ive been a …

I was making some very small dollhouse furniture on the lathe and was having trouble sanding tight small grooves. They make sanding cord for this but I figured out a great alternative.

This is so simple and works very well for the intended purpose.

Step 1: Grab Some Fabric Backed Sandpaper

Any fabric backed abrasive will for this. Sand"paper" with a paper back will not work for this.

I'm using some from a wood turners pack.

Step 2: Find Scissors

Tear/cut off about 10-12 inch piece from the roll. Using scissors make a small slit about 1/16th -1/8" from the edge. Then tear off that strip lengthwise.

What you will have is a small strip of sandpaper about 1/8" wide and 10-12" long.

Step 3: Find a Drill

Using a drill motor, close the chuck on one end of the strip of sandpaper.

Step 4: Make the Cord

While holding one end of the strip, run the drill and make the paper twist nice and tight, but not so much twist that it begins to ball up. Stretch it a bit to help form the new shape.

Step 5: Ta-Da

Loosen the drill chuck to remove the strip and ta-da, all done.

This DIY sanding cord works just as well as the real deal.

Thanks for looking

Happy turning!

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