How to Flatten Hardwood

A hardwood surface can be flattened in a matter of minutes.

If you have an uneven hardwood surface, you do not have to live with the inconvenience and discomfort this may be causing. For example, you might find it difficult to complete projects on a hardwood workbench that is not level, and your family might be uncomfortable sitting around an uneven hardwood table. The process for flattening the hardwood is quick and relatively painless, so you have no excuses for putting the project off any longer.

Things You'll Need

• Level
• 2-by-4s
• Wood screws
• Power screwdriver
• Router
• 1.5-inch-diameter straight bit

Instructions

1. Place the hardwood onto a flat surface, using a level to check the flatness.

2. Mount level two-by-fours on either side of the hardwood surface so that they're even with the lowest surface, using wood screws and a power screwdriver. Check that the two-by-fours are perfectly level, meaning they may be attached to either side of the hardwood surface at a slight angle.

3. Measure the space between the highest surface of the hardwood and the mounted two-by-four. This is the height you need to set your router to. Attach a 1.5-inch-diameter straight bit to the router.

4. Place the router over the lowest surface on the hardwood. The bit should be resting on the low spot.

5. Turn the router on and run the router bit across the hardwood surface. As it moves along, it will begin to level out the wood by removing all surface area that's above the lowest surface.

References

• Wood magazine: How to Flatten an Uneven Workbench Top