Dura Blocks and PSA Sandpaper for Guitar wood and finishing

[s1player]

I have been looking at various sanding tools for guitar wood and finish sanding.

Is Dura Block - using PSA sandpaper rolls - a good solution?

In particulary, are the PSA sandpapers that stick to dura block good for woodworking - thought they seem automotive and marine finish focused?

The problem is while dura block seems recommended for woodworking in various places online - the PSA paper rolls seem to be made for working automotive and marine finishes, primer, fiberglass, finishes, etc.

Will these automotive PSA sandpapers work for woodworking? Or, perhaps there are woodworking specific PSA sandpapers I am just not finding on the internet?

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Tonar8352]

I use Dura Block sanding blocks for guitars.  The only time I use sticky paper is on an air driven DA and that is generally for very aggressive sanding when I'm refinishing a guitar.  I use Norton 320 for between coats, 3M Gold 1000 for the first step of wet sanding and Klingspor 2000 for the second step of wet sanding before I go to polishing.

 

[s1player]

I use Dura Block sanding blocks for guitars.  The only time I use sticky paper is on an air driven DA and that is generally for very aggressive sanding when I'm refinishing a guitar.  I use Norton 320 for between coats, 3M Gold 1000 for the first step of wet sanding and Klingspor 2000 for the second step of wet sanding before I go to polishing.

What paper do you use with the Dura Block?  Based on what I have seen online - they appear to use the PSA rolls of stick paper - to stick the sandpaper to the dura block.

 

[Tonar8352]

Sorry I was not a little more clear on my response.

When I use Dura-Block sand blocks I use Norton 320 for between coats, 3M Gold 1000 for the first step of wet sanding and Klingspor 2000 for the second step of wet sanding. I cut the blocks to the size I prefer and then cut the paper to fit the block.

 

[s1player]

Thanks for that feedback Tonra8353.

Ordering a set of Dura Blocks. I didn't even think of cutting them down to make them easier to work with on a guitar. Good idea. Thanks.

Sorry I was not a little more clear on my response.

When I use Dura-Block sand blocks I use Norton 320 for between coats, 3M Gold 1000 for the first step of wet sanding and Klingspor 2000 for the second step of wet sanding. I cut the blocks to the size I prefer and then cut the paper to fit the block.

 

[s1player]

I did order and used the durablocks AND PSA sanding roles (220, 320, and 400) on the first 2 rounds of sanding on the guitar.

Worth. Every. Penny.

Extremely versatile and much less work than holding the sandpaper on old school sanding blocks.

On the round "baton" block, I used the PSA 220 and 320 on either end. So, I could simply flip the batton over to move between 320 and 220 as needed. You could easily add another grit  or 2 of sandpaper on one and have a versatile sander.

Also, setting sandpaper in from the end and leaving a grip spot - one can use a sort of draw-knife motion for sanding difficult places or just for variety during sanding.

Any of the blocks could be used this way.

The PSA rolls are expensive and they have a lot of paper on them. But, if you do a good bit of sanding - they are worth the money especially when paired with the durablocks.

Dura-blocks and PSA sandpaper rolls are not cheap - so I thought this feedback might be of use to other guitar finishers considering the purchase.

 

[Cagey]

I'm happy to hear of your success.

Good tools are almost always free and they're a joy to work with.

 

[s1player]

I think Dura Block has a huge, untapped market with luthiers and amateur guitar builders. Their standard blocks are extremely valuable - but they could do a lot of specialty shapes and blocks just for guitars - to handle radiused edges, curves, and working in tight spaces (like F holes, for example).

But, they are still a great tool when coupled with PSA paper. Can't believe I once used to sand by hand or with one of  those old sanding blocks.