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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thanks Bill. Im glad you are finding the information useful. Good luck with this project!
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