Best Sander for the Job

[nutsnbolts]

The door from the house to the garage is original from 1948 and solid. There is a spot that rubs too closely and when you open the door it makes this loud "CHIRP" sound that really bothers my wife (she has a very rare nerve condition). I want to sand it down so that it doesn't rub anymore, but I'm not sure what type of sander I should use. It could very well be from being painted 10 times over the years. Some of the other doors in the house had several different colors when the painter sanded them down and repainted them a couple months ago. I haven't done much of anything resembling woodworking so I'm not sure where to begin. Palm sander? Orbital sander? Any other suggestions? By looking at the jam I would say by taking 1/32 or 1/16 out would probably do it. Thanks!

 

[gdocktor3]

I think just about anything would work. We're talking a very small amount here or the door wouldn't close at all. I've done this before, except I just used a circular saw to remove a blades worth of material. Heck, you could use an antique hand plane to do the job. No need to buy a new sander just for something like this.

 

[dutchgray]

Hand plane a bit off the door, sand a touch by hand and touch up the paint.

 

[Wamsutta]

By looking at the jam I would say by taking 1/32 or 1/16 out would probably do it. Thanks!

A sanding block and a piece of 80 grit will get you there fast. I'll post a link to the best sanding blocks in the world:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motor-Guard...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

[nutsnbolts]

I have been thinking it would be good to have a 1/4 sheet palm sander anyway, so if that will do the job, then I think I will go that route.

 

[tarbellb]

A sanding block and a piece of 80 grit will get you there fast. I'll post a link to the best sanding blocks in the world:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motor-Guard...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

This ^^^ by far the most effective and cheapest solution.

But if you are going to invest in a sander, buy a decent 6" RO sander. Makita on the cheap side, Bosch on the high end.

 

[nutsnbolts]

I just discovered a bunch of heavy grit sanding sponges that were left over from painting the house. I'm going to give one of them a shot and see how it does. Update later

 

[Modern Garage]

Before removing material eyeball the door and frame to see if you're not just dealing with worn hinges. If the gap is greater at the top and/ or hinge side of the door it may simply require tightening screws or replacing the hinges instead of an irreversible change to the shape or size of the door.
Joe

 

[larry_g]

If you can't get to it soon, rub a bit of candle wax on it. At the least the squeak will go away.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Outlander]

A sanding block and a piece of 80 grit will get you there fast. I'll post a link to the best sanding blocks in the world:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motor-Guard...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Great, now I am ordering a designer sanding block and tossing the chunks of 2x4 in the wood stove.

 

[senlow]

I have been thinking it would be good to have a 1/4 sheet palm sander anyway, so if that will do the job, then I think I will go that route.

That may work, but isn't the best tool for the job. A palm sanders is a finishing tool. A plane, as suggested by dutchgray is the tool for the job. Sandpaper on a hard block will also work well.

 

[PT Doc]

Sounds like there is a a lot of paint. And it's old. Likely lead paint.

Anyways, a belt sander would remove it quickly but you then need to have the paint that matches.

Then there's the potential lead paint issue.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Before removing material eyeball the door and frame to see if you're not just dealing with worn hinges. If the gap is greater at the top and/ or hinge side of the door it may simply require tightening screws or replacing the hinges instead of an irreversible change to the shape or size of the door.
Joe

Interesting. I took a look at it Sunday night. The gap is not equal all the way around, it is smaller in some places than others. Where it is tightest is actually on the hinge side of the door. Are you suggesting that I should start by just tightening up the hinges and seeing is something is loose? I haven't noticed anything loose, but wasn't looking for that either.

 

[nutsnbolts]

If you can't get to it soon, rub a bit of candle wax on it. At the least the squeak will go away.

lg
no neat sig line

Good to know, thanks Larry!

 

[nutsnbolts]

Sounds like there is a a lot of paint. And it's old. Likely lead paint.

Anyways, a belt sander would remove it quickly but you then need to have the paint that matches.

Then there's the potential lead paint issue.

I went to go at it with a rough sanding sponge and, just as you suggested, there is a buttload of paint on it. I decided to wait until next week when my wife is away for work, so I am not creating a bunch of dust while she is in the house. I also bought a quarter sheet sander on Ebay that should be here by then. I think that should go through the paint easy enough. If it doesn't do the trick then I will reevaluate

 

[nutsnbolts]

That may work, but isn't the best tool for the job. A palm sanders is a finishing tool. A plane, as suggested by dutchgray is the tool for the job. Sandpaper on a hard block will also work well.

After looking at it again, I discovered that there might be an eighth of an inch or more of paint on it, so I went ahead and bought a sheet sander. I will go more aggressive if that doesn't do it.