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Question about sanding end grain

11K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  thewoodwhisperer 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm building a mantel clock and I routed the base with a round-over bit. My question is about sanding the end grain. Which way should I sand? I want to make sure I get a consistent finish across all four sides of the base. Should I be sanding along the long edge or top to bottom over the round-over where the grain appears to run in a curve?
 
#2 ·
Hey Bill. I would venture to say it doesn't really matter. If you can actually see your sanding marks on the endgrain, you need to sand more anyway. In general, I said the end grain 1 or 2 grits higher than the face grain in an effort to even out the color after you hit it with finish. As a result, the end grain has such a fine scratch pattern, direction becomes irrelevant. Hope that helps.

Marc
 
#3 ·
In Bob Flexner's finishing book, he makes mention of end-grain and how to make it even. He said it is simply a matter of making sure you sand the end-grain to the same level you sand the face grain. Only thing is, it just takes a bit more sanding to get it to that level.

Lately, I've been trying to avoid end-grain in my box construction, so I haven't thought about it since I read that in Bob's book. But I WAS thinking about it as I sanded the end-grain on my latest project (the cross). Come to think of it, I never stopped to look at the end-grain after I applied the finish to see if it worked or not. I'll check that out tonight and see what the results were and post pictures if it did.
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks guys. That info really helps. I think I hate end-grain. :)

I'll have to get that Bob Flexner book. Marc, I've been listening to the Wood Talk Online podcasts in order and just finished #12. You or Matt mentioned Bob Flexner and with RHM mentioning it as well, I think I need to add it to my Christmas list. Your videos and podcasts have been a major part of my learning in preparation for building this birthday present for my Father. Thanks for all the hard work you and Matt put into the podcasts.
 
#6 ·
Instead of sanding, have you considered using a low angle block plane? With a freshly honed blade and tight mouth, I have great results getting end grain to finish as well as long or face grain. If sanding is your only method, you might consider using a shellac wash which partially fills the end grain, giving more consistent finishing results.
 
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