Posted By David G

Date Tuesday, 27 December 2022, at 8:30 p.m.

I am working on a cherry table with curved legs.  The curves have been worked with sharp spokeshaves after bandsawing and also pillowed from side to side.  I am happy with most parts of the legs, which will not need sanding.  The legs transition into flat surfaces, which are also planed smooth, near the mortices.  The problem arises at the transition from flat to curved, where I can't get things as clean as I would like.

I am not yet decided on the finish I will use, but the table base may be shellac and the top something more durable like poly over shellac or a commercially applied finish (I don't spray). No stain will be involved.

Some claim that under just shellac, a planed surface looks clearer than a sanded surface.  Some claim that sanding to a high grit level ( ~1000) makes a surface indistinguishable from a planed surface. I would rather not experiment with this and just get to it.

So my question is, what grit should I sand to to get the best match with a shiny, planed surface?  Any tips for doing this?

Thanks!!

 

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