It’s a widely practiced rule in woodworking: never sand a flat plane without a sanding block. By wrapping your sandpaper around a flat block, you’re guaranteed a smoother, more level finish. But there’s more than meets the eye in the case of this woodworking technique.

 

By adding a bit of cork to the bottom, your block will be able to flex just enough to accommodate subtle differences in the wood you’re sanding. It’s one of those simple trade secrets that are often overlooked, yet it makes a big difference when it comes to applying your final finish.

 

Learn how to soup up your own sanding block in this short Wood Tips video.