To sand something level, particularly small parts, create and use a dedicated sanding board as your flat reference surface.
Achieving a truly level or flat surface requires a stable, flat base against which you sand your workpiece. For small objects, a simple and effective method involves using a homemade sanding board.
How to Create a Sanding Board
The best way to sand small parts flat is to make a sanding board (D). This provides the essential flat surface needed to guide the sanding process accurately.
- Gather Materials: You will need a piece of sandpaper, a flat piece of rigid material like melamine or plywood, and contact adhesive.
- Prepare Surfaces: Apply contact adhesive evenly to the back of the sandpaper and the surface of the melamine or plywood board where the sandpaper will be placed.
- Attach Sandpaper: Carefully align the sandpaper onto the adhesive-covered board. Press firmly to ensure full contact and a smooth, wrinkle-free surface. The contact adhesive creates a strong, permanent bond, keeping the sandpaper perfectly flat against the rigid board.
Using the Sanding Board to Sand Level
Once your sanding board is ready, it acts as your precision sanding station for small parts.
- Place the Part: Position the small part you wish to sand level onto the sandpaper surface of the sanding board.
- Apply Pressure: Apply even, consistent pressure across the surface of the part.
- Sand with Motion: Move the part back and forth on the sanding board to sand it (D). Use a steady, controlled motion, ensuring the entire surface of the part maintains contact with the sandpaper on the flat board.
- Check Progress: Periodically lift the part to observe where material is being removed. The sanding action will primarily wear away the highest spots first. Continue sanding until the entire surface shows consistent sanding marks, indicating it is now flat or level.
Sandpaper Grit Tip
When focusing on achieving flatness rather than a final smooth finish, it's useful to know that it doesn't make much difference if you sand past 220 grit for the primary leveling process using a sanding board (D). Coarser grits (e.g., 80, 120, 180) will remove material faster to establish flatness, while grits around 220 are sufficient for refining that flat surface before moving to much finer grits for polishing, if desired.
