Precision flat surfaces???

[Pentasoul]

Hello all!
I am working on a project that I need to make 2 flat surfaces match passively.

What I mean is I have two pieces of wood 2" wide X 5" long X 1/2" thick. I need the 2 5" long sides to have no space between them when they come together passively (Not by applying lots of pressure.) I think if I had one this is where a planer would be used. I do not have a planer. I have tried sanding by placing the wood pieces together with carbon between them and sanding the high spots but it's near impossible without creating a new highspot.

Does anyone have any technique or trick to do this? or a tool that I don't know about? I'm really new at this and my ambition might be a little high for my skill level... But I can try to explain better if need be... Thank you in advance!!

[Donsexton]

The old time boat wrights used glass scrapers, don't know if that will help you.

[AlArchie]

That's what they make jointers for. Check with a cabinet shop or the local school shop...maybe they will do a joint-up for you at no cost.

I've done a pretty good imitation of a jointer glue-up on my table saw. Used a 60 tooth rip blade squared up with the table and the standard supplied rip fence. To adjust for any perpendicular error, I flipped one piece over so that any degree of error would be cancelled out....the edges met perfectly. I used this method a lot till I got a jointer. Even with the jointer, this is a good trick to use.

Al

[Grimnir]

Get a large sheet of glass or a mirror, something large enough and flat enough that you can move the piece back and forth on it. Spray it with craft mount adhesive, the stuff you can reposition/remove etc., and carefully put on some good quality abrasive paper. If you can get it on a roll so you don't have joints to worry about even better. Then you just need to be sure you keep the piece perpendicular when you sand so the edges meet correctly

*edit* I read it as 25" not 2 x 5", it should be easy to do for a short piece like that with 1 sheet of wet&dry and a bathroom mirror

[Pentasoul]

Originally Posted by AlArchie

That's what they make jointers for. Check with a cabinet shop or the local school shop...maybe they will do a joint-up for you at no cost.

I've done a pretty good imitation of a jointer glue-up on my table saw. Used a 60 tooth rip blade squared up with the table and the standard supplied rip fence. To adjust for any perpendicular error, I flipped one piece over so that any degree of error would be cancelled out....the edges met perfectly. I used this method a lot till I got a jointer. Even with the jointer, this is a good trick to use.

Al

That's great! Thank you. I'm running down the street here to see if I can talk the cabinet shop into doing just that.!

[Pentasoul]

Originally Posted by Grimnir

Get a large sheet of glass or a mirror, something large enough and flat enough that you can move the piece back and forth on it. Spray it with craft mount adhesive, the stuff you can reposition/remove etc., and carefully put on some good quality abrasive paper. If you can get it on a roll so you don't have joints to worry about even better. Then you just need to be sure you keep the piece perpendicular when you sand so the edges meet correctly

*edit* I read it as 25" not 2 x 5", it should be easy to do for a short piece like that with 1 sheet of wet&dry and a bathroom mirror

Thank you!, as it turns out the cabinet shop I was going to run down the street to to try (My answer to previous post) They are closed on Sunday, so being the impatient one I can try your technique tonight! I'll let you know how it goes... Thanks again.

[Grimnir]

no worries, hope it works!

[TreeWizard]

I'll bet that if you listed a location in your Bio information you might find someone on the board in your area who could help you.

[STAR]

With a small bit of wood like you have a jointer would not be of much use unless you put a larger length through and then cut to size.

I think Al Archies method is as good as any. Just rip a wider board into two and you will have matching sides.

There are some other ways but you have to have the equipment to do it. Besides this is wood we are talking about not an engineering feat. By the time you sand and get everything square in the morning you might find the wood has moved and your back to where you came from.

Over that short distance close enough should be good enough, it really gets worse the longer the distance.

Pete

[Lynn O. Doughty]

A much simpler solution would be to just go buy a larger piece of wood and cut it down to the size you want. Heineke Wood Products is standing by to help you out! Heinecke Wood Products