I agree that sanding can make things worse, unless you are able to sand with
a large flat object which is not likely to be practical.

If you really want to sand, then use 120 grit wet and dry sandpaper - but
wet with as large a piece of sandpaper you can use,, attached to some flat
object such as a scrap of wood. This will quickly takes off any bumps, but
will not take off much material. I would then follow with some coating/wax.
Be sure to dry the top before applying the coating.

Another material you can purchase is called Slippit. This should allow wood
to glide easier and also it will prevent rusting. I use this on my cast
iron surfaces. Looks like a white wax, takes a few seconds to rub in and is
instantly usable.

Dave Paine.

"A.M. Wood" wrote in message
ups.com...

Derffred wrote:
Greetings! I recently purchased a Laguna band saw and its table
surface is as smooth as glass, or glass smooth water if you're into
water sports. I seriously keep a towel around to shine it up after
each use. On the other hand I have a 2001 Craftsman (Ryobi) table saw
with a surface that looks like the back end of a mule in comparison.
The real functional difference is how wood glides across the Laguna and
requires a Caterpillar Bulldozer to move across the table saw. I
realize the surface area difference and physics..etc. Also, there's no
way to get my ugly duckling to be a swan. There has to be a reasonable
way to smooth out my table saw but I don't know enough about the
workings of metal to do this well. Is sand paper too little and an
angle grinder too much? If there is some amazing goop that will do it,
as long as it doesn't affect the wood, Any and all suggestions,
especially first-hand stories, are appreciated.

Derf

Start out with a good cleaning with a scotch brite pad & some wd-40.
Then add a coat of butchers wax or "Top Coat"

Keep in mind you want the top as close to dead flat as possible. Don't
sand unless you have a dead flat surface on which to place the
sandpaper. As for the angle grinder, just toss the saw in the trash
instead and save yourself the time spent making things worse than they
are now.