Sanding an End-Cut Blank

[lapdog]

During the sanding process on an end-cut blank, do you still also sand lengthwise with the lathe off after the radial sanding with the lathe on? In the case of an end-cut blank, lengthwise sanding would actually be against the grain. It seems to me as if this might not be desirable. What do you guys do?
Thanks,

Linda

 

[DurocShark]

I do it for all but the last grit. You still want the cross sanding to speed the scratch removal.

One thing you'll find with crosscut blanks is that if you're not careful you'll end up sanding it out of round - The end grain sections tend to be harder than the long grain sections. I have found using a sanding block helps.

 

[GaryMGg]

I test the blank very lightly but usually I don't do it.
For example, most of the time when I turn a cross-cut black walnut pen, sanding across the length of the blank introduces new scratches.
I typically stop the lathe and sand by hand with the grain on cross-cut blanks.