Sanding can be the worst. You think the surface is ready, then you wipe on finish and scratches appear out of nowhere. Ugh! This used to happen to me over and over again until I started using raking light to REALLY see the surface before it was too late.

Raking light just means shining light across the surface instead of straight down. You’ve probably tilted a board under a ceiling light to catch scratches, that’s the idea. At a low angle, flaws fall into shadow and stand out. In the shop, though, every project is different. You can’t just lift a cabinet or heavy tabletop up to a light, and moving lights around the shop is a pain, not to mention looking inside cabinets or drawers would be almost impossible. That’s what led me to design this tool.

It’s a simple flashlight holder. It consists of two 3D printed parts, a base with an angled face to mount a mirror, and a socket for a small flashlight. I used a one-inch square mirror, but you can use just about any reflective surface, like foil tape, or even the inside of a snack bar wrapper, which will work just fine. The tool is designed for a one-inch diameter flashlight; the one in the photos can be purchased for $3 for a pack of two at your favorite budget tool store.

If you have a small light already under one inch in diameter, choose the socket with a size just larger than your light and shim it with masking tape to get a tight fit.

It’s safe to say nobody loves sanding, and absolutely nobody loves sanding twice. Raking light is the secret to catching scratches before they are trapped under finish, and this simple tool makes it too easy to skip. Print one, make one, and sand once.

Be well and get your hands dirty!

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/mustcreatethings/

https://www.youtube.com/mustcreatethings

https://mustcreatethings.etsy.com

Download the LightRaker files here

Do you need a 3D printer in your woodshop?

Do you need router templates? Dust collection hose adapters? Throat plate inserts? Then maybe the answer is yes.

You can never have too much light

The head lamp was a bust, but Vic Tesolin's other shop lighting seems to do its job quite well.

Hand Sanding and Power Sanding Basics

Sanding is one of the most important steps of any woodworking project. In this project video on building a bookcase, learn how to sand flat surfaces, edges, and curves.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Liberon Steel Wool

Perfect for rubbing out a finish for a low-luster sheen.

Buy at Amazon

Diablo ‘SandNet’ Sanding Discs

While Diablo’s SandNet disks perform similarly to conventional paper abrasives in terms of material removal and surface prep (with some exceptions at the lower grits), they make keeping your work surface and work area clean much easier, thanks to the great dust collection possible with them.

Buy at Amazon

Bahco 6-Inch Card Scraper

The size and thickness are what matter here. A consistent performer, this Bahco scraper is found in many shops we visit.

Buy at Amazon