some novices actually build w/ uneven strips and staircase joints. and after much practice when doing the many modifications that pple try here there is still much uneveness even in flat areas.

as a novice, i have experimented w/ many ways of removing this material.

In convex areas, w/ major stepping, the small plane across the grain, up the stairs is absolutely great. would have been boring other ways i tried. in small concave areas, plane is way best for bringing down.

in flat,flat areas, a belt sander w/ abt 100 grit really knocks down the whole surface to the lowest strips.

in concave areas, i don't know yet, nothing is really good. mostly sanding, gentle planing, some cheesegrater

after all that'll come the ros and the fairing bd. and of course they'll get used major.

i guess to remove material, one needs a material remover. And one that is self referenced(plane or belt sander)will help to keep in line. [that's how all us bozos end up w/ 1/16in minus(aaaagggghhh) thick yaks. (then we load up the resin)]

point is, many of us need material removers first, and the plane is pretty good for that in some areas.

-mick