Shopsmith Forums

[quote="JPG40504"]`

Since you were sanding convex surfaces(asymmetrical curvature) I can well understand your frustration with belt sanding(designed to create flat surfaces).]

Actually I lost patience with belt sanders even earlier than that. I had one and always had the gouging problem so I stopped using it. Later when I discovered what you could do with an angle grinder, I was forever sold on "rotary finishing".

Paul M

To FIATBEN, If you have a lot of time I have a simple solution for you and it will not cost you any money. Find a large slab of concrete which is flat and porus, not slick as glass. Get you a comfortable chair close to the ground. Get a glass of your favorrite beverage. Plug in your TV in front of the chair. Place the log on the concrete on the the side you wish to flatten and smooth, sit in the chait, tune the TV to your favorite station, take a sip of your drink, and move the log out and back and in circular motion until the desired results have been acomplished. HAVE FUN ! Lee

Use a small hand plane and a draw knife to get the surface nice. Its much quicker than just useing a sander by its self.

People laugh when I say, the hardest part about useing a tree as lumber, is getting the tree round.

Good luck! you have lots of work ahead of you. ;-)

C.A.G.

[quote="curtisgeorge"]Use a small hand plane and a draw knife to get the surface nice. Its much quicker than just useing a sander by its self.

People laugh when I say, the hardest part about useing a tree as lumber, is getting the tree round.

Good luck! you have lots of work ahead of you. ]

Across the ends?????

I am enjoying reading the different responses. While grinding it down on concete would work, this is a paying proposition so my time is all that counts, well, good results too.

I like the idea of hand plane and drawknife as my skills need honing in that respect.

If I had a HUMONGOUS lathe, this would be much more fun.

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Could you set up a support frame and run a router back and forth? or would that just make it rougher?

obviously -not- a- carpenter

Just ran across this in a book I bought this morning at Value Village, coincidence or what?
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What I would so is use a router. On your bench set 2 parallel guide boards attached or clamped to the log sides. Glide the router, on a sled with a bit that cuts a flat. Cut a series of straight cuts untill you have a straight and flat surface. This will take a little time but the result will be a true flat surface. Depending on how long the logs are the same jig could be used on the table saw useing the stacked dado head, moveing the fence as you go. Finish up with a square board covered with sand paper, or the flat disk of the disk sander for a smooth finish.

I don't think I would ever have thought of that, even though I've seem similar setups for other purposes. This has real potential, even if it requires a bit of finish sanding.

What I think is really cool is that it's a DeCristoforo book!

I really appreciate you guys!!

I have been watching this thread and haven't figured out yet what are you planning in doing with these log pieces that you need to flatten?