What grit do you normally start sanding at after milling?

[Phillip Mitchell]

Off the planer, 150.

These days, I try to choose my wood carefully and as straight grained as possible. Costs more, takes more up front time. Makes the rest of the process enjoyable.

This is basically where I’m at and my approach also. I’ll take clean, straight grain over figured / crotch / burl stuff everyday and twice on Sundays, but lots of different tastes and approaches out there.

[John Kananis]

I go to the hand plane before I even consider a sander. I have a drum for more difficult/stubborn stock but I enjoy a hand planed finish so try and stick to that. A small random orbit maybe here and there.