Bird-brained sanding slip ends with shelves that shine

It was a nice try at re-purposing but bird cage sand sheets are no match for real sandpaper.

Hinterland Homesteading with Racheal Pascoe 

I thought I would get a good head start, before Gavin came outside. I retrieved the box of assorted sanding sheets we had accumulated over the years from the shed. I would start with a rough one, maybe 80 grit and work down to a finer one in time. I loaded the sander with a sheet of sandpaper and started on the old hardwood timber. We had been lucky enough to source some second-hand hardwood timber from a reno in Maryborough. (Thanks Luke!) We wanted to make a bench and some timber shelves. Rather than sand all the patina off, I just wanted to tidy them up and kind of love them as they are. Repurposing things gives me great joy.

I was all action as Gav came over. Now, my hubby is a tradie and power tools are an extension of his hands! He has taught me lots about how to do things over the years. I am allowed to use all his cool power tools, except for the chainsaw. He says that you need special training with that one, so you don’t injure yourself. Oh and the whipper snipper. I dug too many holes in the lawn with that one, so I am lovingly banned from using it.  I think I could get better with more practice, but who am I to question the ban? 

Gav stood there observing me. I carried on sanding, I could see the sawdust. I was doing well. The shelving is going to be part of our new Homesteading nook at home here. It has been becoming apparent that a dedicated area to work would be beneficial. A space where I can be processing food, seed saving, leave the dehydrator on, store jarred foods, have the bread machine going etc and be able to leave it all and come back to it. It will take the pressure off our kitchen and mean I can be a bit messy and it not interfere with the functioning of the kitchen.  

The timber was coming up beautifully. Even better than I had hoped. It had an age to it but also some fresh areas showing, all the while some of the original house paint had been left on.

Gav tapped me on the shoulder, I stopped the sander, and he asked me ‘How are you going with it?’ I said I thought it was coming up nicely, but he didn’t seem so sure. I lifted the sander and inspected the sanding sheet. It was almost gone! It had just disintegrated. He asked me to show him where I got the sanding sheets from. We both stood there at the table, I rifled through a few packets and found the one I had taken my sheet from. As I turned it over, a picture of a budgie was on the front of the packet. I looked at Gav, he was smiling the biggest smile ever. In my enthusiasm, I had in fact grabbed the sand sheets that line the bottom of bird cages! We both roared with laughter and joked that no one will be following me for DIY tips! Ha. 

After swapping to real sanding sheets, the shelving turned out really well. I now have a dedicated Homesteading area to work in. Watch this space for more exciting projects.  

Happy Homesteading Everyone!