Carpentry-Filter: Can you help me identify this butcher block style wood, and figure out how to best cut, sand, and finish it for my project? Pics inside. [more inside]
posted by wfrgms on Jul 24, 2009 - 13 answers

Should I sand the binding of my Edwards Les Paul? [more inside]
posted by atmu on Apr 26, 2007 - 8 answers

Adventures in computer case modding for someone who's never done anything remotely close to it... [more inside]
posted by richter_x on Jul 7, 2006 - 2 answers

Sanding a Deck: How little can I get away with? [more inside]
posted by HK10036 on Apr 24, 2006 - 8 answers

It's time to sand and varnish the floor in the front room, ground floor. We'll be replacing a few worn out floorboards but we're not totally confident about the best way to fill the gaps between boards. Some people say use resin, some say use a sawdust/pva mix, some say use filler, some say use wood fillets. The floorboards are 1" thick tongue and groove, solid pine. Any good suggestions? (Based in the UK) [more inside]
posted by gaby on Jan 26, 2006 - 9 answers

What is the general rule as to when should I use wet sanding versus dry sanding?
posted by bobbeene on Dec 10, 2005 - 3 answers

I need tips on floor sanding. [more inside]
posted by Yelling At Nothing on Jul 18, 2005 - 8 answers

I get a bit concerned about my lungs when I paint, saw, sand, blow dust around, or use nasty chemical solvents. Anyone have any gas and/or dust mask recommendations?
posted by sdis on Jun 16, 2005 - 9 answers

Inspired by a number of people moving into my neighborhood and talking about the gorgeous oak floors revealed when they lifted up the carpet, we decided to jump on the bandwagon and ditch the carpet. Besides, with having two puppies this year, it was beginning to get funky. When we tried, we found that the padding was almost disintegrated, powder in some spots, in others stuck to the floor, and not with adhesive. No amount of mineral spirits and elbow grease was making that stuff budge. Also, there are black spots from when we must have missed a puppy accident. In other words, it looks like crap. Google gives me conflicting reports about the salvagability of the floor - some say a good sanding and maybe some bleach will take care of the dark spots, others say the boards will need to be replaced. Any first hand experience with this one? I know refinishing is a must, but will it be worth the effort?
posted by ferociouskitty on Nov 29, 2004 - 12 answers

Spackling: What are the tricks to spackling and sanding (relatively small, no mesh or such required) holes or dings, getting a nice smooth patch, prior to painting? There are generally little tricks to anything handy, but after all these years I'm still not learning them and I just can't get the knack. [more inside]
posted by Shane on Sep 11, 2004 - 6 answers