Part 3 Trimming, oiling and sanding the top. Once the glue has dried, it’s time to trim the corners and edges and then oil and seal the top. First task is to trim the edges. I used a 500g coffee jar lid as a template and then the Festool Trion to make the cut. The Trion has the advantage of producing a cut so good that no further sanding is required.

Sanding and oil sealing are done using a Festool RO150FEQ. The regime calls for the following: Sand with 50g, 100g, 120g, 150g, 180g, 240g and 400g using Orbital sanding at speed mark 6. Wipe down the surface with mineral turps and then flood the work piece with Wattyl Scandinavian oil, spreading the oil with a clean cloth. Allow to sit for 10-20 minutes, then repeat and begin sanding.

A slurry should soon develop, which should not be removed during the rest of the sanding process. After sanding across the entire work piece to 400g, change to random orbital mode, use the same 400g pad and move up through the grits 600g, 800g, 1200g, 1500g. Dab some oil on the sanding pad if you need more lubrication, not the timber and do not touch the surface. At this point the timber should look like it needs a good sand!

At this point, change to Platin 2 pads, 2000g (not 1000 as shown) then 4000g.

There is no need to use oil from here. The idea is to remove the slurry and give a final polish to the timber. Wipe with a clean cloth and you are ready to add the final finish of choice. This pic shows the luster you should get at this point.

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