STEP 3: BASIC OPERATION 2 - SANDING TWO BOARDS TO IDENTICAL LENGTH

When sanding multiple square-ended boards to identical length, start by setting your worktable at up to 1/2" away from the sanding disc. Use your miter gauge to support the side of your stock -- and your rip fence as a backstop to establish and control the lengths of your pieces.

Be sure your stock extends past the table edge and into the 1/2" gap between the disc and table's edge.

Here, you will use the quill feed feature of your machine to limit how far the rotating disc moves into the ends of each stationary workpiece you sand.

Begin by loosening the quill lock handle on the front side of the headstock...

... and the quill feed stop handle on the back side of the headstock.

Start your machine and using a test board with a pencil line drawn on it to indicate the board length you want... use your quill feed lever to move the disc into your board until it reaches your line.

Turn you machine off and lock your disc into this position by tightening the quill lock handle on the front side of the headstock... limiting the disc travel to this length.

Rotate the quill lock dial to “0”... and lock this setting by tightening the quill feed stock on the back side of the headstock. This will limit the disc travel to this length.

Now, release the quill lock handle on the front side of the headstock.

Feed the sanding disc into your first board end until it reaches the limit you set for its established travel distance. Replace your workpiece with another board and repeat for each identical board.