I'm new to woodworking and recently attempted to create a chessboard using maple and walnut strips. Unfortunately, I didn't properly flatten the wood before gluing, resulting in an uneven surface where pieces would be played. I'm seeking advice on flattening this surface. I have a No. 4 plane and a random orbital sander, but no major power tools like a planer or table saw. Using the hand plane has been tricky due to the mixed grain direction. Any tips on how to achieve a flat surface?
3 Answers
First off, you should check how bad the unevenness really is. If it’s only slight, grab some 60 grit sandpaper for your orbital sander and go from there, gradually working your way to finer grits until you get a smooth finish. It's a straightforward way to take care of minor imperfections.
The approach depends on whether we're dealing with end grain or face grain. If it’s mild, try using very shallow passes with your well-sharpened No. 4 plane. Just be cautious – if it’s too uneven, you might want to start with a belt sander to get closer before finishing with the plane.
Make sure your No. 4 plane is sharp! You can definitely use it, even if it’s not the ideal tool. If you're up for it, consider building a flattening jig with your router. It’s not too hard to set up for a project like this and can really help with achieving evenness.
Great idea! I'll look into making that jig; it could save me a lot of hassle.
Thanks for the tip! I'll check the grain direction and see how I can manage it with my plane.