Introduction

Once you've taken the time to cut and assemble your project, don't skimp when it comes to the final steps. Do a thorough job of sanding, so the wood will be well prepared for its final finish. Don't expect stain, varnish, or paint to smooth out the surface for you. They will only follow the contours of the wood, and often will accentuate, rather than hide, imperfections. Unless you are using a belt sander with a rough abrasive, don't expect sanding to remove more than 1/8 inch of material; shape or plane instead (see Shaping and Planing, Related Projects).