I'm working on a project to flatten a 1.4m (~55") round tabletop. I'm planning to use a 12 mm (half inch) router and cutter, but I'm unsure what kind of metal frame I should use for this job. I'm looking for guidance since I prefer not to make a DIY wood solution. My tools like the planer and table saw aren't sufficient to create a perfectly straight 2m length, and all the plywood I've found is slightly warped. I'm based in Switzerland, so if you can share any product links or videos that are available in Europe, that would be awesome! My shop floor isn't flat, but I do have a laser to help level everything out. It seems more cost-effective for me to buy the tools than to hire a professional, plus I get to keep them for future projects. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
First off, how bad is the surface of your tabletop? A router sled is often the go-to for dealing with rough cuts or uneven surfaces. You might want to start with that before moving on to a hand plane or a belt sander. Just a thought, have you got any pictures of the tabletop? It would help get better advice!
The tabletop is about 5 mm off with lots of knots, which is why I’m hesitant to use manual planes. I’ve tried an electric hand plane, but it didn’t do the trick for precise work. My goal is to flatten it using the router and then finish off with belt and orbital sanding since it’s pretty wavy and uneven.