Use a belt sander when a door continues to rub or bind after tightening, rehanging, and adjusting hinges and screws and you need to remove a small, controlled amount of wood as a last resort.

A belt sander removes material quickly and uniformly so it is useful when the contact area is broad or the door needs a straight, even shave to regain clearance. Work slowly and mark the rubbing zone with a pencil so you only remove what is necessary. If possible take the door off its hinges and clamp it horizontally on sawhorses or a pair of sturdy supports to control movement and avoid cupping. Use a ninety grit belt for initial passes and finish with one hundred twenty grit to smooth the surface so the edge does not tear the paint or sealant. Keep the sander moving along the grain and make short, light passes, checking fit every few seconds by rehanging or holding the door in place so you do not overcut. Wear a dust mask and eye protection, and seal the room or run a shop vacuum at the sander to reduce cleanup.

The three most common mistakes are taking off too much material by staying in one spot, creating an uneven taper by sanding across the grain, and ignoring finish and paint damage which can allow moisture to swell the door later. If you remove too much, shim the jamb or plane the opposite side instead of forcing a replacement. To avoid a tapered edge sand with the grain and use a guide or straightedge; if the sanding already created an uneven surface, true it with a hand plane or sandpaper wrapped around a block. For finish damage sand back to smooth and reseal or repaint the worked area promptly to protect the wood.

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