sanding question

[curtis rosche]

i am making a wine rack in the wood shop in school and i am just about finished with it. the question is what should i sand it to to finish it, its not going to be seen just put in the basement where the only time its seen is when its would be filled. its made or white ash. once i finish it ill post pictures

[Prashun Patel]

What's yr finish?
Assuming it's already fairly smooth, I'd do a prelim with 150 and then a final with 220.

If you really want to save time, skip stain or paint and put a good clear coat on it - either linseed/danish oil or wipe-on poly (2-3 coats, no sanding between. But if you use poly, make double sure it's dustfree - w the oil finish, it's not a big deal if there are some dust nibs; in fact, they can be worked INTO the grain to improve the texture.).

If yr gonna stain, I'd preseal with clear shellac or a wood cond, then stain.

[Alex Berkovsky]

Just because it's not going to be seen, doesn't mean that you have to do a half-blanked job. ;)
Start with a 100 grit and work up progressively to 180.

[edit]
Probably would be better served in the finishing forum.

[Joe Chritz]

I usually stop open grained woods at 120 or 150. Closed grain woods at 220.

Oak is very open grained so I would go to 120 then finish as needed.

Joe