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Sometimes I get this wormy look when sanding Spruce. It seems to get worse if I use finer grits. What's the best way to avoid this- grits, DA/block, with/against grain?

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

Casey,

Are you talking about the cross grain squiggles? Those are the medullary rays showing that you have some perfectly cut tops. If they are offensive you'll have to purchase some lower grade wood.

Steve

No, not the silk... In some places it sort of looks like flecking that you would see in Maple, and in some places it looks like Damascus steel. In the pic above, you can see some of it just right of center.

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

Are you sanding bare wood or is there some sanding sealer or other finish on it?

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PMoMC

Guessing, are you sanding without a backing block (wood, foam- pad)? Are you sanding in the same direction as your fingers are pointing (and holding the sandpaper directly with your fingers)? If no block, you can sand uneven and put grooves in the wood that line up with your fingers, depending on direction.

Oh, that wormy looking stuff. I think it's still part of the rays/silk. I never paid much attention too it as the look diminishes under finish and the grain lines become more prominent. Personally, I sand to 150 grit with a finish sander and block it out with a fresh piece of 150 with a cork faced sanding block and call that good for any type of film forming finish.

I've often wondered about that too. I've just lived with it....

That's the resin in the wood. It was sap in the Cross grain structures when the wood was cut and dried.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks for the responses!

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

That's perfectly cut & sanded- great top!
I hope you are not judging your top by factory standards.
Enjoy the beauty of a rare top now-adays.

Finer grits do bring out more of the perfect cross/grain pattern.
SILK!

Mike

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Mike Collins

I think this top was about $8 in one of Shane's low-grade bundles. It had a pitch pocket that fell just outside of the waist for this L-00. The silk is very even across the board. I hope Shane makes this offer again!

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.