JIMMIEM Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 I'm building a small couch tray table out of Red Oak. The top is 3/4" thick and measures 14 3/4" X 24 3/4". I made the top by gluing up 3 boards. The top is not dead flat. If I lay a straight edge across it I can see light in a few spots. I've been sanding to try and get the high spots down. I don't have a planer or wide sander. I loaned my belt sander and it hasn't been returned. I have a random orbit sander but don't think this will do it for me. There aren't any woodworking close by. I'm going to stain and use an oil based poly on it. I've used poly quite a bit and I'm wondering if the self leveling process will help make the top flat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 Try a cabinet scraper for the high spots. Once you start you will go over the whole thing as you will like the finish they leave. Herb HARO50 and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 Now is an excellent time to learn to use a scraper and/or a hand plane. Poly will not make it level. HARO50, kmealy, Dadio and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post John Morris Posted May 4, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 Personally, seeing a little light here and there, I would not worry about it, flat is subjective, depends on the use or purpose of the surface. The highs and lows you describe should not have any effect to a glass of water, or anything else that may be sitting on it. Look at the top, can you see the high lows with the naked eye? Does a glass of water rock on the surface if you set it near the high spot? I would not worry about it. Hey, it's hand made!!!!! HARO50, DAB, Harry Brink and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAB Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 concur. sand it smooth, finish it nicely, done. as though the floor is flat too! HARO50 and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatuffej Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 Hello Jim I agree with John. The only requirements for flatness are function and your own appeal. If the slight rises don't affect usability and appearance, then you can let it go. Or, you can attempt to scrape out the rises just for the practice. Your choice. hat Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 You can also top it with a piece of glass with flex buttons under. HARO50 and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 I like the cabinet scraper advice for really bad spots but as others have pointed out dead flat isn't really necessary. Cal and HARO50 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIMMIEM Posted May 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 Thank You all for your replies and advice. Cal and John Morris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIMMIEM Posted May 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2018 1 hour ago, PeteM said: You can also top it with a piece of glass with flex buttons under. I had thought about a glass top because the 2 end tables have glass tops. I have an old piece of glass from one of the end tables and I just placed it on this table to see how it would sit. Nice and flat...no rocking. Glass top will mean less coats of poly. Cal, Fred W. Hargis Jr, Dadio and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted May 6, 2018 Report Share Posted May 6, 2018 How flat? Well how flat does it need to be? A small occasional table does not had a flatness specification. I've never seen one that is really flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted May 8, 2018 Report Share Posted May 8, 2018 Take a very damp washcloth lay it on top and use a clothes iron to raise the low spots ,let dry over night, then sand or scrape of the rough grain and finish it with a sealer then clear coat. Herb Gerald, Stick486, HARO50 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JIMMIEM Posted June 5, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 Finished it. Decided to flatten by hand sanding, stain, oil based poly and not do a glass top. Fred W. Hargis Jr, HARO50, p_toad and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdavep Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 Hey that looks real good JIMMIEM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 44 minutes ago, Bdavep said: Hey that looks real good better than that... JIMMIEM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Great job Jim...perfect finish for the "craftsman" era look. I like it...a lot! Thanks for sharing. JIMMIEM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 You did a great job on that,and the finish too. Herb JIMMIEM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Dudelston Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Well done! JIMMIEM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred W. Hargis Jr Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Nice! JIMMIEM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Great job. What stain did you use? JIMMIEM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.