Which operation is best for keeping end grain square on a stationary disc sander?

• A. square up or clean up the end grain
• B. bevel edges
• C. round corners
• D. plane thickness

Answer: (A)

Squaring up or cleaning up the end grain is the operation you’d use on a stationary disc sander. The goal with end grain is to create a flat, perpendicular face so that the end is truly square to the sides of the board. The disc sander provides a fast, controlled way to remove tiny uneven spots and tear-out from the end grain by pressing the end against the spinning disk and taking light passes. This gives you a clean, true edge that will seat correctly in butt joints or when gluing up panels.

Use light pressure and steady, controlled passes, finalizing with a check against a square to ensure the end is truly square. Be mindful that this tool’s round wheel can round over corners if you’re not careful, so maintain even contact and avoid over-sanding. Be aware that beveling edges or rounding corners would spoil a square end, and planing thickness is done with a planer, not a disc sander.