One thing that comes with me to every job site is a simple block made for hand-sanding. I take a 2×4 and rip it to just less than 3 in. wide. Then I cut it down to 9 in. long. As shown in the drawing above, the resulting block holds a 3-in. by 21-in. sanding belt. This size fits nicely in my hand and is the same size that my belt sander accepts.
—Spencer Dobrovolny, San Anselmo, CA
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #240
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View Comments
I have seen (and used) these things since I was an apprentice, some 20 years ago.
I prefer a thickness of 3/4".
An excellent, cheap manufactured version of this is the SandDevil:
https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1605-SandDevil3-0-Sander-Sandpaper/dp/B01HHN52WS
It has a spring that keeps the sanding belt tight. One end in rounded, one end is pointed, so you can sand into various spaces.