Wood sanding question

[bp1974]

I'm finishing up my second spoon, and I've noticed that there are some very small pieces of wet and dry grit embedded in the wood, probably from the first coarse sanding. Anybody have any ideas on how to get rid of these, other than sanding again, which I imagine will leave a new lot of grit in the wood too?

How can I avoid this in future? Maybe I was pressing too hard with the paper.

 

[MartiniDave]

I find wire wool or pan scourers work well. In future you can avoid the problem by using wet & dry rater than sand paper, as this is much less prone to shedding grit.

Dave

 

[bp1974]

Thanks, I've got some synthetic wire wool coming in the post for another project so I may try that.

It was wet and dry I was using, which is why I'm surprised (and a bit p***ed off) that it left some of itself behind.

 

[Squidders]

Also, when you're done sanding, put the spoon in some boiling water for a minute, this will lift the grain up. Once the grain is up give it another go over with wet+dry, this will make the spoon REALLY smooth and probably force out any sand paper crystals.

Once it's all dry again oil it... some prefer boiled linseed but I prefer sticking it in with some fried chips as it's nice and easy and doesn't leave a taste.

If it's a light wood, I sometimes rub a little soy sauce in to it to pronounce the grain before oiling it.

Joe

 

[Fenlander]

I use wet and dry and then soft cotton cloth. After alternating half a dozon times between the two, you are left with an almost glass-like finish

 

[bp1974]

Thanks for the tips. I might try boiling it to see if that releases some of the grains of W/D, and a cotton cloth when I rub it up again.

 

[george]

Thanks for the tips. I might try boiling it to see if that releases some of the grains of W/D, and a cotton cloth when I rub it up again.

BP whatever you do don't boil it!

Squidders meant a quick dip in hot water for a few seconds (I wouldn't leave it in as long as a minute Squidders.) and then let it dry. That will raise the grain and let you smooth it off.

If you boil it you will damage it.

George

 

[Squidders]

Indeed... a minute was a figure of speech and I was guessing that you wouldn't stick the spoon in a boiling kettle or pot but rather, pour the boiling water in to a cup and then add the spoon.

 

[bp1974]

Ah ok. In the past I've used cold water to raise the grain. Thanks for the heads up, I was in a 10-minute boiling frame of mind yesterday as I needed to un-epoxy some buffalo horn.

A quick dip it is for the spoon.