When sanding wood, the type of sandpaper to use depends on the purpose of the sanding. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Shaping and stock removal: Use coarse sandpaper in the range of 36 to 100 grit.

• Paint and finish removal: Use sandpaper in the range of 80 to 100 grit.

• Prepping a surface for finishing: Use sandpaper in the range of 120 to 220 grit.

When sanding hardwoods such as maple and oak, start with a 120 grit abrasive and finish sand no finer than 180 grit for water-based stains and 150 grit for oil-based stains. For sanding softwoods like cedar, fir, redwood, spruce, and pine, aluminum oxide-based abrasive products work well.

In general, its best to start with a sandpaper grit that is just coarse enough to remove imperfections without gouging into the material further. Sand with the grain of the wood, especially during the finishing stages.

Here are some common grit ranges and abrasive types:

• Coarse grits: 40 to 50 grit sandpaper is used to roughly shape wood and remove old finishes.

• Medium grits: 60 to 100 grit sandpaper is used for general sanding and removing small blemishes.

• Fine grits: 120 to 400 grit sandpaper is used for sanding smooth surfaces or preparing wood for finishing.

Its important to choose the right sandpaper grit and type for your project to achieve the best results.