Where to Start, Part 6, Choosing a Block

The last step was spreading filler. Now, it’s important to choose the correct sanding block.

True Blox are a different kind of block.  Almost all other sanding blocks in the past were basically the same, there were only a couple of them, and they were just different lengths.  They were very general purpose. 

•There are 9 different thicknesses, and 7 different lengths. What’s the point, and how do you choose which block to use? 

♦️Choosing a block is based mostly on how much it flexes, which is determined by the block’s thickness. 

♦️The longer a block is, the more flexible it will be. So a 12” long 3/8” thick block will be pretty rigid, while the same block 22” long will be a little flexible. 

♦️The correct block should take a small amount of tension to form to the shape of the panel. 

♦️The block should do most of the work sanding the correct shape, so choosing one too rigid or too flexible won’t work as well. 

♦️If the center of the block is doing most of the sanding, it’s too rigid.  

♦️If the block seems too loose and the ends are sanding too much, it’s too flexible. 

♦️Most times, several blocks are needed for one panel. It’s encouraged to switch blocks freely until one feels right. 

♦️Usually, the longer the block the better. It should not feel awkward though. It typically shouldn’t be longer than the panel is (the edges will get sanded too much)

♦️A bigger block does not mean straighter body work.  So don’t jump to grabbing the thickest and longest block thinking it will work better.