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Step 5: Marks and swirls

Here you can see the marks and swirls left by the rotary planer.  It would be possible to remove these with the careful use of a hand plane.  A very sharp blade would be necessary.  I chose to use a belt sander.  Try to keep the sander moving so one part of the work piece is not sanded a great deal more than any other.  That would introduce more of the error you are trying to remove. 

When one true face has been achieved on each work piece, turn them over and plane the other side.  This time there will be no need for cardboard shims.  The work pieces should now be able to rest evenly on the flat work table, assuming the work table is true.  You do not need to plane the second side by pulling the planer over the work piece, but can lock the motor down and push the work piece under it using a fence as a guide as you would if you were ripping a board.  Make several light cuts.  Use the belt sander to remove any marks.