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CDHM The Miniature Way
September 2010, Issue 8
Tools
Page 23

Okay so now you have something that is shaped and somewhat smooth and you can really see the tool pretty well now, so at this point we want to start in on it with some sandpaper to really get it smooth, start with a 150-180 grit and then start moving up in grits until you cannot see any more scratches.

In the picture you can see me using a fine sandpaper as the tool is almost finished. With Ebony wood I have actually wet sanded it with that black fine grit auto body sandpaper (which means I am sanding it under running water to create a super-fine finish) now if you have ever gotten wood wet before you will quickly notice the grain raises up and your fine finish could be ruined. With Ebony wood and a few others of the fine grain hardwoods this is not a problem as water has little effect on them.

But always test on a scrap piece before attempting this technique if you are not using Ebony wood. Now you have sanded your tool into a lovely smooth shape, at this point you may feel it is done enough and you want to seal it and try it, well that's cool, and you can do that, but I like to do one final treatment of rubbing it down with an emery cloth (or in the case of the picture I am using an emery stick) of really fine grain and then sometimes I will run it on a buffing wheel to just bring out a glass-like gloss on it.

At this point the grain is so smooth and fine it has an almost plastic feel to it, a quick wipe down with some tack cloth (available at most lumber and hardware stores) to get all the dust off of it then you are ready for the paste wax. I like Minwax, but any quality wood paste wax will do the trick. I slather it on generously and let it soak in for a little bit and then with a clean rag I rub it until it just shines.

That's it, you're done, let the wax set overnight and then give it a rub again in the morning and you're ready to try out your new creation. I am telling you, once you realize how easy it is to make unique tools for your specific purposes you will be hooked, you will be making tools that maybe have one type of use just because you can and it is so cool to have the right tool for the right job!

If you have questions on anything I have talked about here do not hesitate to send your questions to my attention at or in the CDHM Forum to mindstorm on the boards as you never know when it may be helpful to others to see the answer. Enjoy the fall weather, and go out and make something!