Does anyone know if it is possible to make a flat surface on a pencil sized , 16" long piece of end grain using a hand planer? I am trying to count ver y faint tree rings on a sugar maple without using sandpaper, which clogs up the pores with saw dust. Would a hand or electric planner catch rather tha n cut, or create a rough surface when viewed under a microscope? If anyone knows of a better method then please let me know.
Here is a link to an image of what I am trying to create an even and smooth surface on: