Making your own sanding sticks
By John Kelley
Sanding sticks are readily available at your local hobby shop or on the internet. So why make your own? Sometimes you need a grit that is just not available in the standard sticks or maybe, like me, you just like to make you own tools whenever possible. It is very simple to make them and I will show you two types that I made.
Materials
The first thing you will need are craft sticks. These can be purchased at any craft store but these came from our local Walmart. They are 5.9 x 0.7 inches ( 150mm x 18 mm). You can use thinner ones just as well and you will save a little money on materials.
The first thing you will need are craft sticks. These can be purchased at any craft store but these came from our local Walmart. They are 5.9 x 0.7 inches ( 150mm x 18 mm). You can use thinner ones just as well and you will save a little money on materials.
For the adhesives I used 3M Spray Mount I bought some time ago but you could use super glue just as well. Use a mask when spraying this. For the foam backed version I used double sided Scotch Permanent Mounting Tape 1 in. x 50 in.(25.4 mm x 1.27 mm). The adhesives were purchased at Hobby Lobby.
The sand paper is 3M Wet or Dry Sand Paper 3 2/3 in. x 9 in.( 9.29 cm x 22.8 cm) in 400 and 1000 grit. I bought this at Home Depot.
Getting started
Take one of the craft sticks and lay it on the back of the sand paper. Draw a line around the stick and rough cut the paper to size. Follow the directions on the spray adhesive and spray the stick and back of the paper. It is a good idea to place some paper underneath to keep the spray from coating the table you are using. This is really sticky stuff! Later on after using the sticks I made more but this time I sprayed the wooden sticks with spray shellac I had in hand just to add a little protection to the wood when using the sanding sticks wet. It isn't absolutely necessary but it helps.
Take one of the craft sticks and lay it on the back of the sand paper. Draw a line around the stick and rough cut the paper to size. Follow the directions on the spray adhesive and spray the stick and back of the paper. It is a good idea to place some paper underneath to keep the spray from coating the table you are using. This is really sticky stuff! Later on after using the sticks I made more but this time I sprayed the wooden sticks with spray shellac I had in hand just to add a little protection to the wood when using the sanding sticks wet. It isn't absolutely necessary but it helps.
After the glue has become tacky place the sand paper on the stick pressing down on it to ensure good adhesion. I laid a book on top of it while it dried.
For the foam backed stick cut a piece a little longer than the stick and lay it on the strip, adhesive side down, once again pressing down to ensure good adhesion.
Next, remove the paper cover for the second side and place it on the back of the sand paper.
Next, remove the paper cover for the second side and place it on the back of the sand paper. I trimmed the excess paper with scissors but I think an X-Acto blade would work better. As you can see I need to practice more on trimming!You can cut the stick with the scissors to narrow the width for getting into small places and tight corners. I write the grit of the sanding stick on the back so I know which grit I am using.
It doesn't take much effort to make your own sanding sticks and you can use whatever grit of sand paper you like. I did do one with Elmer's Glue Stick as an adhesive and it seemed to hold the paper. I have not tried using the stick wet but if you do, the super glue would hold it better.
After using the sticks for a while the spray mount adhesive has held the paper to the wooden stick but the bond on the Elmer's Glue Stick has lessened and the edges of the paper are coming up. The spray adhesive holds but the paper can be pulled off. I you want a more permanent bond try one of the 3M sprays that have a permanent bond to them. I have used the sand paper with the spray mount adhesive and foam stick backed ones in water with good results.
After using the sticks for a while the spray mount adhesive has held the paper to the wooden stick but the bond on the Elmer's Glue Stick has lessened and the edges of the paper are coming up. The spray adhesive holds but the paper can be pulled off. I you want a more permanent bond try one of the 3M sprays that have a permanent bond to them. I have used the sand paper with the spray mount adhesive and foam stick backed ones in water with good results.