Smoothing out edges

[ianm0]

I'm quite new to the art of woodworking. I need advice on smooth edges in wood. Let me be more specific.

I put 5 pc of 500 x 400 x 18 mm boards (a mix of timber, plywood and mdf) on top of one another. Cutting was done by a professional cabinet maker. Due to different materials, boards came out to be slightly different in size, resulting in uneven edges that need smoothing down.

Sanding may work. But is there a better way?

[dr4g0nfly]

A Plane. It's what they are designed to do.

[ianm0]

Just read in another thread: http://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/smoothing-plywood-edges-108341/,
opelblues suggested using top coat plaster to smooth out plywood edges. I'm wondering how thick the plaster could go. Could it be as thick as close to 1 mm? I'm ready to do it in several goes for the thickness: much easier than use a plane for a newbie like me. The work in question is for indoor only and no problem with rough environment.

Also is top coat plaster available at Bunnings?

[antiphile]

I suppose it could be up to 1 mm thick on ply, provided the ply is thick enough; but I wouldn't even think of using it if it were less than, say, 19 or 25 mm. I certaily wouldn't use it on MDF in case too much moisture is sucked out of the topcoat which will probably make it crumble quickly. And they do have it at Bunnings in 20 kg tubs. I seem to recall they used to also stock it in 5 kg containers too, maybe they still do.

But I wholeheartedly agree you would be better off with a hand plane. For $20 or less, you can buy a Craftright one at Bunnings. It may not be the highest quality available, but mine works really well with reasonably regular sharpening.

[ianm0]

..But I wholeheartedly agree you would be better off with a hand plane.

I think you are right. Thanks guys.