Replies

1. 
   user-148830 | Dec 23, 2008 06:11pm | #1

   Well, hard maple is called hard maple for a reason. So you have a couple of choices. One is to find a drum sander large enough, at a cabinet or millwork shop, to sand it. Then you can sand out the sanding scratches from the drum sander with any random orbit sander and probably 150 or 180 grit paper. I'd take it up to 220 grit and call it good.

   If you don't have access to one of those beasts, then I'd start with a belt sander and a 120 grit belt. Be sure to have a straight edge handy to check your work both with and across the grain. If you work quickly and don't dig in on the edges, you should be able to work the wood down fairly flat in a short time. But belt sanders leave in big marks. You'll have to get those out with your random orbit sander. I'd start at 120 grit, but check your results to see if you're getting out all the sanding scratches. Don't move to a finer grit until you do. Sand up to 220 grit again.

   For a table top I'd also raise the grain with a damp cloth and sand off the fuzz you'll get. Sanding produces a lot of fuzzy grain like that. Good luck.

   Gary Rogowski
   http://www.northwestwoodworking.com

1. 
   drater | Dec 23, 2008 09:55pm | #2

   Thanks for taking the time to reply.I appreciate it and will follow your advice.Now I just need to buy a belt sander to get started.DRATER