Last weekend I was asked how I make handmade parts, edges straight.
Part of the answer is decades of making hundreds of parts a year. But a major part has been investment in tools, some of them moderately expensive being they are single task tools. One of my best buys had been an 18" disk sander. This thing weighs 1100+ pounds, 5 Hp 3 phase and has a massive rotating weight which means it is very stable. I am glad I can not get outside to see the power meter on the house as this is spinning up.
With a 60 grit disc on it you can feed a fir 2X4 into the disc at a walking pace.
Shown here with a rattle can for reference it is no toy but when is comes to dressing or shaping material there is no manual shop tool that beats it.
It has the same disk on the other side as well.
For a softer touch is this 12" flap wheel.
With a 360 grit disc it is a major step in polishing.
With a 60 grit make sure you have heavy gloves on, it chews through material fast.
I usually run a 180 or 120 grit wheel. I wish I had more wheels but these are all between $125 to 190 each. They last pretty darn long though.
I also run 14" buffing wheels on this as well.
I have a 6" belt sander but it is acting it's age. I bought it new in the early 70's but has essentially not been of use the last 25 years or so.
There are many other belt and disk sanders from a few tiny hand held belts from 3/8 wide on up and a half dozen Makita disc grinders.
There is also mounting parts in the milling machines, this can be in a vice, either a 12 or 15" rotary table or dividing head which holds parts horizontally.
Hope that helps John.
CN