Finishing

Planing

Planing cuts a thin layer from wood to make a face or edge smoother and more accurate.

Machines work well when stock is already supported and reasonably flat. A twisted slab may need flattening before it can be thickness-planed safely.

Planing leaves a machined surface that may still need sanding. Confirm target dimensions and which faces are included.

More terms

Wood finish

A wood finish is a surface treatment such as oil, wax, lacquer or varnish.

Finished surface

A finished surface has received its final sanding and intended protective treatment.

Rough-sawn

Rough-sawn wood retains the surface left by the saw and has not been planed smooth.

Flattening

Flattening removes high areas until one broad face lies in a plane, then brings the other face parallel.