Old timer told me to stop sanding with the grain, he was right

Been sanding face frames the same way for 15 years, then a guy on a job in Louisville watched me for 5 minutes and said I was working twice as hard as I needed to. He had me hit everything at 45 degrees first, then finish with the grain, and the smoothness is night and day. Anyone else get a random tip from a stranger that completely beat what they learned on their own?

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1 Comment

davidshah2d ago

15 years of sanding with the grain and you just now tried 45 degrees? Honestly that first pass at an angle just digs in more on softer woods like pine. I've seen guys do that on maple and leave swirls you can catch with your fingernail. You get that smooth finish but you also round over the edges of your face frames if you aren't super careful. Different strokes for different folks but I'll keep my straight passes and a good hand sand at the end.