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I've sanded the cheeks of dovetail joints several times before, but have never really been totally satisfied with the end results. The papers I use are cloth-backed, but are too thick for me.
Does anyone have a paper that they just love for doing this?
Thanks,
Bill

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Formerly know as Mandodiddle.

I use 3M Gold Fre Cut. Clear packing tape on the back keeps it from tearing but doesn't add much to the thickness.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Me too.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

+1 on the packing tape…

What grit do you use for this job?

120-150 depending on how much job there is. I would rather have the job go slower than have the heel cap show tearout. I only use wood heel caps where that can be a problem with heavier grits. 150 is my go to

This is what I did and do too. Dave Collins does not back his paper with clear tape and does not seem to need to either he never tears it. Wondering why it's his paper choice SAIT which I like too for this and other things, much more stout backing paper.

For those interested historically the clear tape backing on 3M paper was originally suggested on this forum on or around 2007 by Colin Symonds. I hope that Colin is doing well and have not heard form him in a decade.

Great idea with the tape backing! I have always used cloth backed paper. No issues here.

I just finished flossing a neck with cloth backed sandpaper and don't see any issue with the thickness. This stuff cuts great! I cut up an unused 100 grit 4" belt sander belt. I'll get a lot of flossing out of that.

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Hutch

Get the heck off the couch and go build a guitar!!!!

I've used a cut up 4" belt sander belt, too. They are ubiquitous, cheap, and do the job well. I think mine was 120 grit. But I like the notion of putting packing tape on the back of paper backed sandpaper. That sounds like a great idea.

I like 320 carborundum, cuts fast and thin enough to conform to the body shape. I don't flatten the area where the neck attaches so thin/flexible enough paper to conform to the curve well is important to me. I cut a sheet into 1" wide strips and switch as needed.

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Brian R, Wood Mechanic
N8ZED

Thanks everyone! All good advice.

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Formerly know as Mandodiddle.