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.
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 oil, wax, lacquer, or polish is applied, so 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.
👉 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.
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!