Glueing surfaces

[Joec123able]

Quick question what's the best way to get your surfaces perfectly flat for a good glue joint for tip over lays and such using only hand tools

[vinemaplebows]

Persistence

[Danzn Bar]

Joeable,
I use a fine wide flat file...and use the edge of ruler on the two surfaces to see any spaces or gaps between either surface. when both surfaces show no spaces or gaps it's ready for glue up.
DBar

[Bryce]

Belt sander.
Sometimes followed by a toothing plane.

[bubby]

I use a belt sander, but like said a good file, also on the overlays hot glue them to a stick this will give you a handle that can be clamped into a vice

[PatM]

 Get a  sheet of sandpaper designed for a floor sander. The large square sections available from Home Depot. They are sticky on one side. Stick the sheet on a perfectly flat surface and rub your overlays and bow tips  across the sheet. That will quickly and perfectly flatten the surfaces.
 You can easily do backing strips on this type of surface as well.

[DavidV]

For tip overlays I use a dovetail saw or other fine toothed back saw and cut a small sliver off the back of the tips. Sometimes it helps to file a notch to get the saw started.

Hope that made sense

[ohma2]

What pat m said simple easy precise

[Don Case]

Get a  sheet of sandpaper designed for a floor sander. The large square sections available from Home Depot. They are sticky on one side. Stick the sheet on a perfectly flat surface and rub your overlays and bow tips  across the sheet. That will quickly and perfectly flatten the surfaces.
 You can easily do backing strips on this type of surface as well.

I stuck mine to an old Volkswagon side window, nice and flat.

[dbb]

Get a  sheet of sandpaper designed for a floor sander. The large square sections available from Home Depot. They are sticky on one side. Stick the sheet on a perfectly flat surface and rub your overlays and bow tips  across the sheet. That will quickly and perfectly flatten the surfaces.
 You can easily do backing strips on this type of surface as well.

I stuck mine to an old Volkswagon side window, nice and flat.

I use  stone flooring tiles,the bigger ones is 10-12"x20-24" and pretty cheap. Just check with a straightedge that they really are flat first

[Joec123able]

Thanks all for the advice

[mikekeswick]

Good thick glass is the one - almost always perfectly flat.