Linked Questions

6 votes
4 answers
35k views

How do I remove scratches between layers of polyurethane?

My husband and I have been building a farm table and we are oh-so-close to being done, but we are having issues in the final coats of polyurethane on the top. Here's a rundown: We stained the wood ...
Tmiller85's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Good way to sand wide curved faces

I'm working on a project that has a piece of curved (concave) crotch walnut. The curve is in three dimensions and is roughly 8"x6" in x-y and curves inwards roughly .5" in the z axis. I used a ...
Doov's user avatar
  • 1,409
6 votes
1 answer
54k views

Wood Staining is blotchy and black...HELP!

I've searched and searched but I cannot find anything on the internet that looks close to my bad stain job, so here's the low down: I'm finishing my dining room tabletop and chair seats. I'm using oil ...
Tiffany's user avatar
  • 61
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

How to go about cutting more "organic" shapes out of wood without machines like a CNC

I recently had a friend ask me if I could help him repair some office chairs by replacing the entire back piece with a wooden one as there are some cracks progressively getting worse down the back of ...
mvr007's user avatar
  • 574
5 votes
2 answers
4k views

"Presanding" wood, before assembly?

I am new to woodworking. I recently completely my first job (a small bookshelf/toybox). After it was all put together, I spent a while sanding it, although it was difficult to get into the corners, ...
MuertoExcobito's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
8k views

Using scrapers on "fuzzy" woods

Just started using scrapers and I love them. I was looking for questions and thought I would look around the concept of pitfalls and I read this paragraph in regards to sanding: Sanding that makes ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
6 votes
5 answers
364 views

How do I know what tools I need?

I'd like to get into woodworking and am looking at tools in order to make some small simple storage solutions. I love to sew, but a lot of my recent sewing ideas for around the house have included ...
user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
4k views

In which order should I glue, stain and apply epoxy resin?

I want to glue four timber beams side by side, stain them and fix some voids with epoxy resin. What is the best order to do it? Each beam measures 150x150x600mm and is made from beech. Some voids ...
Fabic's user avatar
  • 173
1 vote
2 answers
9k views

Best way to correct splotchy stain job on MDF?

In making a new tabletop for wife's sewing table, I cut some 3/4" MDF and applied a base of Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, and then Minwax Dark Walnut Stain. After letting it sit for a day, I ...
Keith Tuomi - MVP's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

how can I make sandpaper last longer?

Normally my sand paper lasts a day or so with palm sanding, is there something I can do to make it last longer?
Sky's user avatar
  • 135
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

How can variable speed be used on a random-orbit sander?

I see some models of random-orbit sanders have a variable speed control. Under what circumstances would I need variable speed while sanding? It's not clear to me what benefit it offers.
Jonah Bishop's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Alternatives to a spindle sander

I was wondering what alternatives there are to a spindle sander or hand sanding when it comes to sanding concave curves. I have seen artificial spindle sanders created using a drill press/drill, but ...
mvr007's user avatar
  • 574
3 votes
2 answers
5k views

Oiling and sanding

Would it make sense to apply linseed oil before sanding and then sand the piece and then eventually apply the oil again? In order to create less airborne sawdust. Or it wouldn't make much difference?
Andrei Rînea's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Polyurethane rub down problem!

I'm in the final stages of finishing an oak poker table. I have applied 3 coats of deep mahogany oil, which went on OK but didn't really soak in well after the first coat. Now I am applying 3-5 coats ...
Rob1's user avatar
  • 31
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Random Orbital Sander rounds table edges

My Bosh GEX 125-1 AE Random Orbital Sander tends to round all my edges. I am sanding a table top and all points are now curved down, instead of straight. I believe this is happening because the ...
mFeinstein's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
862 views

How to remove staining caused by a clamp

I was putting sapele inlay into maple. The inlay was proud by about an 1/8th inch so I only used packing on the underside of the clamp, figuring that any indentations on the top side would be planed ...
MappaGnosis's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
250 views

How do I prepare a scraper for use?

In this answer LeeG talks about that a scraper needs to be burnished and sharpened. How does one do that?
ratchet freak's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
937 views

To prepare SPF (spruce/pine/fir) tabletop before a finish: should I use scraping, planing, or sanding?

My tabletop is made of selected SPF boards and has been planed with a handplane. I've added breadboard ends to each end. I'm preparing the surface for a finish, and trying to avoid sanding altogether, ...
ww_init_js's user avatar
  • 1,627
4 votes
3 answers
585 views

How might I finish this hardwood board for use as a shelf?

For some background: I am a guitar player, and I know of a variety of different woods ("tone woods" as they're referred to in relation to guitar building), but I have absolutely no clue in ...
286642's user avatar
  • 143
3 votes
1 answer
471 views

Why won't stripper remove the finish on this bamboo desktop (from Fully/Jarvis company)?

I bought a Jarvis/Fully bamboo desktop and am trying to darken the finish. To do this, I first want to remove the existing finish. But I am having issues with doing so. Note: pictures are at the ...
Chris Morris's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
459 views

Unable to sharpen cabinet/card scraper

I am unable to sharpen a card scraper despite trying many times. I am using a Crown card scraper and burnisher. Most times I start by filing the edges, followed by whetstone, and then on to the ...
Shahid Thaika's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
356 views

High or Low RPM for sanding Epoxy layer on wood?

I have a wooden countertop that I covered with a thin layer of epoxy and, as a beginner, I made a messy job and there are brush strokes on it. Some days ago I started sanding it with a sander with ...
CuriousPaul's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
75 views

Oil finishing exposed surface only?

I am new to woodworking and Youtube has been my guide so far. Most videos I have seen, I see them finish with oil but only on top/exposed surfaces. For example, not on joints or under the table/...
Raveron's user avatar
  • 11