Sanding Essentials for Woodturning: Sandpaper, Discs & Mandrels

No woodworking project is complete without proper sanding. It is the key step that turns a rough surface into something clean, smooth, and ready for finishing.

Skipping or rushing this stage can leave your work looking unfinished, which is why good-quality sandpaper, sanding mandrels, sanding discs, belts, and finishing abrasives are worth having in the workshop.

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Sanding Essentials for Any Project

No woodworking or woodturning project is complete without proper sanding. It is the key step that turns a rough surface into something clean, smooth, and ready for finishing.

Skipping or rushing this stage can leave tool marks, scratches and torn grain behind, and these often become even more obvious once oil, wax, lacquer or polish is applied. Good-quality sandpaper, sanding discs, mandrels, belts and finishing abrasives are worth having in the workshop because they make the job easier and help produce a better final result.

I’ve carefully selected a range of sanding products that I use in my own workshop. Whether you’re shaping spindles, refining a turned bowl, preparing a flat surface, or working through the final stages before applying a finish, these abrasives will help you get the job done properly.

From flexible cloth-backed sandpaper to cut-to-order sanding discs, sanding belts, mandrels, Sianet abrasives, Nyweb sheets, True Grit and rubber belt cleaning blocks, there’s a solution here for different stages of your project.

👉 Explore the sanding range below and choose the abrasives, discs, belts, and accessories that suit your next project.

A Little More About Sanding Essentials

For woodturners, sanding is not just a final tidy-up. It affects the look, feel and finish of the piece. Tool marks, scratches, torn grain or skipped grits can all show up once a finish is applied, so surface preparation matters.

Sanding mandrels are useful for holding discs securely and making power sanding more efficient, especially on bowls and curved surfaces. Sianet net abrasives can help with dust extraction and longevity, while Nyweb sheets are useful for smoothing between coats or refining a surface without being too aggressive.

I’ve also added 915 x 100mm sanding belts for bench sanders, along with rubber belt cleaning blocks to help extend belt life and keep them working properly. True Grit is also available on this page for turners who want another useful finishing abrasive in the workshop.

Nobody really loves sanding, but having the right products makes the chore a lot easier. The right abrasive can cut faster, clog less, last longer and leave a cleaner surface for finishing.

👉 After sanding, you may want to look at finishes from my Hampshire Sheen or Chestnut product ranges.

👉 If you’re building up your turning kit, visit my Hamlet Tools page for gouges and other woodturning tools I use myself.

Sanding Essentials FAQ

Why is sanding so important in woodturning?

Sanding removes tool marks, scratches and torn grain before the finish goes on. If these marks are left behind, they can become more visible once oil, wax, lacquer or polish is applied. A good sanding process gives the finish a much better surface to work with.

What grit should I start sanding with?

Start with the finest grit that will actually remove the marks in front of you. If the surface is rough or has visible tool marks, you may need to start around 80 or 120 grit. If the tool finish is already good, you may be able to start finer. Starting too coarse can create extra scratches that then need to be removed.

Do I need to work through every grit?

It is usually better not to jump too far between grits. Each grit should remove the scratches left by the previous one. For example, you might work through 120, 180, 240, 320 and 400 depending on the timber, the project and the finish being used.

What are sanding mandrels used for?

Sanding mandrels hold sanding discs securely and are very useful for power sanding, especially on bowls, platters and curved surfaces. They can make sanding faster and more even than trying to do everything by hand.

What are Sianet abrasives useful for?

Sianet is a mesh abrasive that helps dust pass through instead of clogging the surface as quickly as ordinary sandpaper. It is useful for woodturning, woodworking, MDF, paint, primer and general sanding jobs where you want an abrasive that cuts well and lasts.

What are Nyweb sheets used for?

Nyweb sheets are useful for light smoothing, denibbing between coats and refining a surface without being too aggressive. They are handy during finishing, especially when you do not want to cut back too heavily.

How can I make sanding belts last longer?

A rubber belt cleaning block can help remove dust and build-up from sanding belts. This keeps the belt cutting better for longer and helps you get more use from it before it needs replacing.

Is sanding still needed if my tool finish is good?

Yes, but usually less of it. A clean tool finish means you may be able to start with a finer grit and spend less time sanding. Good tool work and good sanding work together; one should reduce the need for the other.

More Woodturning Pages to Explore

● Chestnut Products - A fine range of Woodturning products and Buffing devices.

● Hampshire Sheen - Fine Finishing products that will highlight your project pieces.

● Hamlet Tools - Fantastic Woodturning Tools from a well trusted brand.

● Woodturning Blanks - A fine range of Hardwood Spindle Blanks & a few Bowl Blanks too!

● Woodturning Pen Blanks - A huge assortment of Acrylic & Irish Hardwood Pen Blanks.

● Woodturning Guides & Articles – Practical blog articles drawn from workshop experience.

● Crafter's Haven – A vast range of craft supplies for crafters and gift givers!

● Sports and Outdoor Apparel – Performance gear for outdoor work, great for protection while sanding!