Hey everyone! I'm working on my first joinery project, and I made a mistake while sanding the legs of my bench. I accidentally over-sanded in some spots, which has left noticeable dips in the wood. Since the bench is already assembled, I'm wondering what my best options are to flatten this out, especially since the wood grain is running in different directions. Should I try to use a hand plane, or would a belt sander be better? I'm open to any advice on correcting this issue and also tips for avoiding it in the future. Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
If you're looking for a smoother finish, a hand plane is definitely the way to go. Just take your time and start with lighter passes over the dips. What made you decide to try sanding instead of planing in the first place?
You can definitely fix that with a hand plane. Just make sure your plane is sharp and go for thin shavings to avoid more dips. A belt sander might actually make the situation worse, so I'd steer clear of that.
Thanks for the advice! Do you think a number 4 hand plane will be sufficient for my 2x8 wood that's 34 inches long?
Yeah, that sounds like a good choice! Appreciate your help!

I didn't realize how much I was taking off until it was too late! But now I’m learning my lesson for the future!