Refinishing old table - best method to redo table edge?

I second the hand sanding method. If the edge is generally in good
condition it will be lowest overall time.

If you want to change the edge style or wood, then you can route. You will
need to clamp a guide board across the table length, then width. If the
corner is rounded, you may have to attempt to make a plywood/hardboard
template. Be careful of the radius calculation - it will be a bit of trail
and error. The edge of the router bit will be a few inches from the
template, which needs to be factored into determining the radius of the
template.

Dave Paine.


"Leuf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:37:27 -0700, CrazyAtlantaGuy
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I am currently refinishing an old dining room table. This is the
>>first project like this that I have attempted. At this point I have
>>sanded down the top surface, removing all the old polyurethane and the
>>original stain. After working my way through sandpaper of varying
>>grits, the oak is very smooth and the table looks amazing.
>>
>>I have left the edge till last, because I'm just not sure what to do
>>with it. I have my router, though this is the first time I've had a
>>project that requires I use it independent of my router table. I'm
>>worried I might screw things up, so I could use some advice. I need
>>to somehow remove, or at least trim down the table's current rounded
>>edge, so that I can re-route it with a clean, new edge. Is there a
>>good way to do this? Is this the right approach?
>
> If you want to change the edge profile, then sure. But if you like it
> as it is then you can just sand it down. You can use blocks of wood
> and pieces of dowel to wrap the paper around to match parts of the
> profile. Or you can buy nifty rubber pieces for this purpose, such
> as:
>
> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10380
>
> If there is end grain and it was a dark stain on it originally, and
> you want a light finish it can be difficult to get rid of it all. But
> it's a lot safer than trying to put a new edge on it.
>
>
> -Leuf

On Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:37:27 -0700, CrazyAtlantaGuy
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I am currently refinishing an old dining room table. This is the
>first project like this that I have attempted. At this point I have
>sanded down the top surface, removing all the old polyurethane and the
>original stain. After working my way through sandpaper of varying
>grits, the oak is very smooth and the table looks amazing.
>
>I have left the edge till last, because I'm just not sure what to do
>with it. I have my router, though this is the first time I've had a
>project that requires I use it independent of my router table. I'm
>worried I might screw things up, so I could use some advice. I need
>to somehow remove, or at least trim down the table's current rounded
>edge, so that I can re-route it with a clean, new edge. Is there a
>good way to do this? Is this the right approach?

If you want to change the edge profile, then sure. But if you like it
as it is then you can just sand it down. You can use blocks of wood
and pieces of dowel to wrap the paper around to match parts of the
profile. Or you can buy nifty rubber pieces for this purpose, such
as:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10380

If there is end grain and it was a dark stain on it originally, and
you want a light finish it can be difficult to get rid of it all. But
it's a lot safer than trying to put a new edge on it.


-Leuf