Newbie needs a bit O' help...

Hey Crannogman
Welcome to LJs I think you could use a flap sander to smooth but not flatten your live edge . I have on a occasion even used a buffing wheal with rubbing compound.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

you could use a 4 way rasp . and then do as jim suggested working from rough to fine . welcome to LJ’s you will enjoy it here !

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

I agree with a1Jim. If you want to keep the live edge without making it look like you made it yourself go with the flap sander.

https://woodworker.com/Flap_Sander.htm

Read some of “socalwood”s forums and how he finishes…

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

Thanks guys … its off to: http://www.leevalley.com to scout out a rasp or two, and the appropriate sanders. Incidentally – and I know I’m a bit nieve – but LVT is a wonderful place for woodworkers, and it happens to be headquartered in my part of the world – Ottawa. Check it out if you can. Any other good online shops to tell me about?

hi i do a lot of projects with live edeges a flep sander is great also a sander that looks like a sochbright for dishes workes well they go in a dril but i only get the 3-m type because the others leave plastic behind on the wood have fun

-- gagewestern

Welcome to LJ’s, enjoy the camaraderie and woodwork. Warning, this is an addictive site.
BTKS