Beginner Method For Flattening Boards

In today's video you'll learn a simple beginner method for flattening boards. Most beginners don't have a lot of tools, so this training video gives beginners the skills to flatten a board using only a random orbital sander and a straight edge.

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0:00 Intro
0:10 Recommended Sander
0:56 What is a Random Orbital Sander
1:28 What is a Straight Edge
1:42 Step #1 Visual Inspection
2:05 Step #2 Straight Edge Inspection
2:31 Tip: Using Light
3:05 Step #3 Marking High Spots
4:19 Choosing the right sandpaper
5:16 Step #4 Sanding & Inspecting
7:57 More Helpful Thoughts
9:17 Outro


My name is Josh Fedorka, and I’m the founder of Training Hands Academy™. I have been a carpenter and woodworker for over 25 years. I have also held certifications in home energy auditing and have built several LEED certified homes in New England.

God has gifted me with many “hands on” skills and it is my calling and purpose to share those skills by teaching others. Whether it is to seek a career in carpentry, become a general contractor or improve one’s DIY skills and knowledge, the motivation behind THA is to help others successfully learn how to work with their hands.

[BillKarwin]

Your videos are so well produced. I bet most people don't realize how much effort goes into the camera work, lighting, sound, editing, scripting, and so on. Good job!

[David.M.]

Josh, good to see you posting again. Thanks

[laurie]

As a beginner myself and learning with my son I found your videos and teaching to be the best on YouTube! I’ve searched through many and come back to yours . This is very helpful, thank you !

[anonymouspdg]

Excellent video and as already said, I know a lot of effort and time go into them!

[jgrogg]

Good video. Really like the sanding pad organizer.

[CYMotorsport]

3:13 but josh by definition isnt there a scenario the A side isn't the exact inverse of the b side? meaning at this point in the video youre calling these parts high but couldn't it just as easy be the underside?if you flatten the A side to the B side compensation, you're using a non flattened surface as the benchmark. am i overthinking this? bc every time i try this method, i notice I'm doing this exactly where i am correcting mistakes i think i'm flattening but i'm not. sometimes it's a coincidence i get it close to flat then just slowly work it to square but still it seems flawed but I'm in my own head about it at thispoint

[fernard]

This is very helpful. I have a few boards to flatten but I don't own a planer, and building a custom flattening sled for my router to fix just a couple of small pieces seems like an overkill. Thank you!

[NathanHarrison]

Great instruction. Clear and concise. Great production value. Subscribed.

[danielleoliver]

I’m am just learning about woodworking and your videos are the best! I was wondering about flattening the surface of a wood slab that was cut with a chainsaw. I have one (24ish x 36ish”) and want to make it a tabletop but not sure about the best way to do it. I was going to use my orbital sander but was told to use my router. Suggestions?

[Ted_James]

Excellent discussion and demonstration. I learned something that I can apply to my projects. Would you go to this level of effort to flatten a 2x4?

[joshuaphilistin]

can you do a video(s) on valley rafters and broken hips?

[IXV_Hauoli]

Awesome video bradda been watching ur videos this past week or so. I’m learning lots from ur channel. Aloha bradda 💯🤙🏽

[RtQw-yeef]

Hi, we have a brushless sander, hope to cooperate with you, looking forward to your reply.

[dre]

Four months and no videos! Have you quit YouTube?