Here's how to streamline a job that requires a lot of hand-sawing. First cut a block of scrap wood to accommodate about a third of a sheet of sandpaper. Then recycle a supermarket plastic foam tray and cut a piece the size of the block. Glue these together and wrap the sandpaper around them. You'll get a smoother surface and your sandpaper will last longer.

In the sunroom, Howard Brickman is at work sanding the floors. Starting with a drum sander, he begins by sanding the floor at a 20-degree angle to get the surface flat and smooth. Next, he runs the sander with the grain to maintain an even finish. Brickman stresses the importance of using the proper sequence with the abrasives. For this particular floor he will use 2 different grits, although it is not unusual to use 3 or more. After finishing with the drum sander, Howard uses an edger/spinner to get in close to walls. The key to using the edger is to practice smooth, elliptical motions to keep the surface even.

The purpose of a finshing sander is not to shape wood but to get it ready for a final smooth finish. Let the sander come to full speed, then set it on your work suface. Exert gentle pressure and sand in the direction or the grain. Keep the sander flush to the surface to avoid unduatoins. Make the final pass by hand in the direction of the grain.