The curved end of a crate handhold is easy to miss with a flat sanding block. Folded paper can reach it, but pressing with one fingertip often wears a small hollow instead of smoothing the whole curve. A short piece of round dowel gives the paper a steadier backing.
Empty the crate and secure it on a bench with padded clamps so it cannot slide. Look for cracks, loose joints or a thin, damaged strip above the opening before sanding. Smoothing a rough edge is not a repair for a weakened handle; set a damaged crate aside until its structure has been properly repaired or replaced.
Choose a clean dowel slightly smaller than the tightest curve you need to reach. Wrap a strip of sandpaper snugly around it, keeping any overlap away from the working face. Start with a fine enough grit to remove the roughness without deep scratches; try the arrangement on scrap first if you are unsure. This is a hand-sanding tool, not an attachment for a drill.
Use light, short strokes along the inside curve, moving the dowel rather than grinding at one point. Let the paper cut. Switch to a flat sanding block for the straight portions of the opening, and avoid widening the handhold or thinning the wood above it just to remove one stubborn mark.
Lightly soften the sharp lip on each face without rounding away more wood than necessary. Wear eye protection and suitable dust protection, then vacuum the dust and inspect the edge in good light before touching it. If you cut through an existing finish, follow the finish maker’s preparation and recoating instructions rather than leaving the patch unprotected.
Practical takeaway: match the sanding support to the shape. A dowel for the curves and a flat block for the straight runs give you more control than a fingertip—and help keep a small comfort fix from changing the handle’s shape.
Hand SandingCrate HandholdsShop Tips