On Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:52:29 +0000, jtpr wrote
(in article
):

This is my original post:
I made a bar/counter top out of birds-eye maple and paduk. It
involves 4 pieces of the maple and 2 strips of the paduk, all edge
glued together. Anyway, it is ~ 25" x 74" and now I would like to
sand it smooth. As I don't have a drum sander, and won’t get one
past the finance committee, I am wondering what the most efficient way
would be. I do have a RO sander, but even with 60 grit on it, it is
taking a long time to get anywhere. Would a belt sander be a better
way to go? If so, what would be the best technique to use as I have
not worked with one before?

Thanks,
Jim

I just wanted to start a different thread and get some attention to
it as I need to get it done.

Thanks,
-Jim

Friend o'mine just flattened up a huge glue-up with a floor sander. Took off
LOADS of stuff. Not my choice. Seemed to work well, though.

Anyway - how much stuff you wanna remove, i.e.is this a "planing" rather than
a 'sanding job? If so, the old router-on-rails trick might do it of you don't
mind the tedium

If it's just smoothing a flat surface.. wax on, wax off dear pupil.
Elbow grease and patience. (personally I'd use a belt, but I'd go finer on
the grit and KEEP IT MOVING. Diagonal to the grain.)

More cleverer folk may have more cleverer advice. Use their wisdom and profit
by it.