Use an angle drill to sand. Make an angle wedge to slip under the "go handle". Hold in place with a large rubber band. Use a switch box to start and stop the drill. That way the drill keeps constant speed without hand pressure.
As you go thru the grits, before changing grits, stop the lathe and hand sand the length of the piece. This will destroy the concentric scratches. Stop after a grey haze is created by the cross-hatching of the two sets of scratches.
With each new grit, blow off the paper, your hands, and the workpiece. One stray grain of grit will leave visible scratches.
Use new paper OFTEN!. Use it like someone else is buying it. Dull paper leaves dull finishes
