Best tool for sanding banisters and door frames?

[theboyfold]

I've got the delightful task of sanding down the banisters, door frames and some small bits of skirting board. Being a town house I've got double the normal number of stairs to do as well!

I'd like a tool to help as it hurts my hands to sand for too long What I'd ideally like is one of these http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/festool-ls130-line... but at £320 it's too expensive. Renting is out of the question as it's going to be done over a few nights spaced over a couple of weeks. I've also tried the Black and Decker mouse which does nothing but shake your hand to death...

So aside from hand sanding what's the best option I have?

[Handie Andy]

I did one a couple of months ago and the person i did it for was really not willing to spend a dime more than she needed to.

A £10 (b&q) mouse sander and some of these sponge type sanding blocks (sorry dont know the name)

It took me about a week+ to do a full staircase then she handed me a tin of primer and gloss. The finish was great to be honest but never again.

[mxspyder]

You could use a heat gun and a variety of scrapers - works a treat for intricate shapes. Just remember to keep some ventilation!

Paint stripper is another option, but I cant stand the smell (or the burning when it gets on your fingers!)

[Busamav]

We used nitromors and wire wool, or at least, my wife did.

[Fittster]

mxspyder said:

You could use a heat gun and a variety of scrapers - works a treat for intricate shapes. Just remember to keep some ventilation!

Paint stripper is another option, but I cant stand the smell (or the burning when it gets on your fingers!)

Heat gun first line of attack, much cheaper than paint stripper. Hand sanding to finish the job off.

[theboyfold]

I'm not sure I want to go the whole hog and sand back to bare wood. Although I'm tempted! The idea was to just sand them down so we can get a decent finish when we repaint them.

[Wings]

Mix together into wallpaper paste and caustic soda into a paste, then brush on to banister and then cover with cling film, leave overnight then remove and lightly sand over surface.

[m4ckg]

Fein Multimaster is a very handy tool to have, not only for detailed sanding but for cutting as well.