Tried a 1/4 inch roundover bit on some oak and got a weird fuzzy edge

Honestly, I was finishing a small jewelry box for a client in Denver and decided to soften the edges with a new bit I just got. Ngl, the cut looked clean but after applying a water-based stain, the grain raised up like crazy and felt rough. Anyone know a good trick to prevent that with hardwoods?

3 comments

3 Comments

dakotab932h ago

Yeah, that fuzzy grain is the worst. I had the same thing happen on a maple table leg last year. @karen_sanchez49 is right about oil based finishes, they really do seal the grain better. What grit did you sand to before you applied the stain? I found going up to 320 and using a pre-stain conditioner made a huge difference for me.

karen_sanchez495h ago

That fuzzy edge is the worst, especially on oak. Maybe it's just me but I've had way better luck with an oil based finish on something that porous. The water based stuff seems to soak in and lift every tiny fiber the router left behind. A quick sand with some 220 after the first coat of oil poly usually sorts it out for me.

cora5183h ago

Did you try raising the grain with a damp cloth before staining? That usually shows you where to sand.