Scrap table take 2

Step 7 Planning & sanding

With a portable planner, grind down as much as you can and try to make the surface as smooth as possible, this creates a mess. You can reduce the mess by using my "Dexter style project tent" as described in the following instrucables :

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dexter-style-project-tent-/

Once satisfied with the surface, use wood filler to patch every hole or empty space you can find. Let it dry and sand it down.

Once you're satisfied with your surface it's time to sand it!

N.b. Always wear a mask and glasses when working with power tools...

I sanded many times, starting with 20 grit then 60, 80 and 400. The final product is a smooooth table surface. it just takes a LONG time to get there.

Comments

[jwilliamsen]

A helpful technique when you are trying to plane and sand a surface flat: take a pencil and draw a wavy line back and forth across the whole surface - a long "squiggle" down the table. This will allow you to see the low spots as you plane and sand (the pencil marks will be left behind in the "low" spots). It's also very helpful when doing your rough shaping to go at 45 degrees across the planks, then alternate to the opposite side of the table and go the along the opposite 45 degrees - so you go 45 degrees one way, then 45 degrees the opposite way from the other side of the table. Doing this will help make sure you're working the table top evenly. Also, try to work evenly across the whole top at the same time - don't focus on one area. When you get the table top flat, start sanding with the grain. Use aluminum oxide papers for all your major smoothing, and finish with Garnet paper. Garnet paper is the best for final smoothing.

[woodNfish]

Actually the best way to stain soft wood is to first seal the wood with clear varnish and then stain it. This solves the problem with blotching.

[logikly]

That's an awesome technique... I wish I had known it prior to staining and varnishing my table! Thank you for sharing