Firefighter Practice Exam

What filing technique is commonly used to create a smooth surface on wood?

1. Rasping

2. Burnishing

3. Sanding

4. Filleting

The correct answer is: Sanding

The technique known for creating a smooth surface on wood is sanding. Sanding involves using abrasive materials, typically in the form of sandpaper, to gradually remove small amounts of wood from the surface, effectively smoothing it out. This process can range from coarse to fine grits, allowing for finer finishes as the project progresses. Ultimately, sanding not only removes imperfections but also prepares the wood for finishing treatments such as varnish or paint, resulting in a professional appearance. Other techniques, like rasping and burnishing, serve different purposes. Rasping removes material in a more aggressive manner and is generally used for shaping, while burnishing is a polishing method that improves surface appearance without fundamentally altering the wood's structure. Filleting does refer to a specific shaping technique often used in woodworking but does not specifically relate to creating a smooth surface like sanding does.