Stop Sandpaper Slips with String

Loading fresh sandpaper onto my sanding drum (the type that takes sandpaper sheets) used to make me crazy. I couldn't keep the paper tight against the drum along its entire length; by the time I got to the bottom, the top had worked itself loose. A length of string solved my problem. After loosely loading the paper onto the drum, I tie the string with a slipknot around the top as shown at left. Next, I wrap the string slowly around the drum, working my way down and tucking the sandpaper into the slot in the drum as I go. When I reach the bottom, I hold the string taut while I lock the paper in place with the key.
—G.J. Warmbrodt, St. Louis, Mo.