How does one get rough-sawn maple lumber that looks like this...
...to look like this?
By using a planer.
Last week I got a 12-inch planer - with mom's blessing and contribution from the general budget. You can see the stunning beauty of the wood revealed before your eyes as the planer does its work. The plan is to use the lumber to make a new top for the pine workbench which will include a twin-screw, end vise. This will provide a durable work surface on which I can hold parts I am preparing for future projects. I'll also use the workbench as an outfeed table for the table saw.