Smoothing End Grain: Plane or Disk Sander?

wdelliott · Post by **wdelliott** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:05 am

What is the preferred method of finishing off end grain of a cut-off board? Do you prefer applying a plane, such a Number 4, to the end grain, or place in on the SS disk sander to square off at exactly 90 degree?

Does the sanding effect, although getting you a precise 90 degree end to the board, better or worse, since you are sanding end grain, versus the cutting action of a plane?

I have trouble getting my hand-plane to produce a sharp, 90 degree end to the board. The disk sander is easier and seeming more accurate, but am I missing something by not using the hand plane?

Thanks for your input.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:00 am

wdelliott wrote:What is the preferred method of finishing off end grain of a cut-off board? Do you prefer applying a plane, such a Number 4, to the end grain, or place in on the SS disk sander to square off at exactly 90 degree?

Does the sanding effect, although getting you a precise 90 degree end to the board, better or worse, since you are sanding end grain, versus the cutting action of a plane?

I have trouble getting my hand-plane to produce a sharp, 90 degree end to the board. The disk sander is easier and seeming more accurate, but am I missing something by not using the hand plane?

Thanks for your input.

If you do not have a shooting board, the disk sander will do. Realize that the sanding may plug up the pores.

rpd · Post by **rpd** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:26 am

I too have used the disk sander on end grain to good effect.

To get get a precise angle with the hand plane you should use a shooting board.

Setting Up and Using a Shooting Board
How to make a Shooting Board

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:02 am

End grain planing requires a good deal out of the plane. A James Krenov book suggested moistening the grain a little bit to aid the cut if using a normal bench plane. You can put a lot of money into planes / plane-tuning if you're after a crisp end-grain slice.... However all the crispness seen on raw wood doesn't necessarily translate into a better appearance when finish is applied.

The SS disk-sander is a super asset. Adding the ability to precisely trim miter cuts or bevel cuts makes it even more valuable.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:05 pm

I have learned to detest sanding dust and try to avoid if at all possible.

I prefer a plane, but that's because I have them, know how to use them and have a shooting board setup. Low angle varieties work best on end grain IMO but a bevel down bench plane will do the job as well if properly tuned and sharpened.

Miters and angles can easily be accommodated by cutting the right size and angle wedge to serve as a backstop on the shoot board.