Reading Mike's recent post got me thinking about a question I've had. How smooth do you need the surface to be to get a good glue joint both in strength and appearance? Usually I use jointed or planned edges. Sometimes I wonder if they are too smooth. Recently did an end-grain cutting board and glued straight from the drum sander using 100 grit and it seems fine. In my earlier days before I acquired necessary tools, it seemed to work well straight off the table saw though I wouldn't dare try that for something like a table top. If sanding flat on a drum sander, would a finer grit be preferable? I assume there's some swelling in the wood that fills in those miniscule gaps.
Thanks for responses, John
Thanks for responses, John