Do you need to joint prior to using a wide belt sander

Damian, I don’t joint first. In fact when making cutting boards I run them through my wide bely sander to flatten one side then take it to the 13” planer to plane the other side then flip it over and plane the sanded side. Hope this helps you.

-- Growing older but not up!

Just think of a sander as a big planer. If it goes in twisted, it comes out twisted, unless you put it on a sled with wedges or whatever to keep it from wobbling.

You can just use the router method.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Okay, so it is indeed pretty much useless for flattening without a sled. Thinking the router method is the way to go then (at least for one side)

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Do you know the different ways to use the router method? And you are right about only having to do one
side before you take to the sander.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

The method I’ve read about is to attach two rails, level them with string tied to each corner, and then use a router in a sled. What do you recommend Gary?

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

I used two rails, but put spacers between them and your table. This will allow you to route past the edges a little. Also only have them about 1/2” above the table because of the stackup. You don’t want to have to extend your bit too far out of the collet.

I also used winding sticks and not string. If you eyesight is a little off like mine, look through a small hole
punched in a piece of paper to focus everything up.

You could also use the method above and just route two grooves along the length and use sticks under them before you take them to the sander : http://lumberjocks.com/topics/1992

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

When I sanded my table top for my dining table I just stuck it on the sander. If you have just slight offsets up to 1/8” it should be fine. The sander takes light passes.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Hi Damien;

Sounds as though Gary has provided all the help I can be!

If you have access to a large sander or planer I’d be kind of partial to using a sled and shimming the top to prevent it from rocking. It’s a very quick method, and quite effective.

I’m really looking forward to seeing this bench when you have it completed.

Stay well;

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com