How could you clean up a piece of wood that is very rough?

If the rough wood is in its natural state with no staining or varnish, buy sandpaper in various sizes for the grain. You will need large grain, which takes off the worst areas. But large grain can gouge wood that is already mostly smooth (be careful - when you purchase the sandpaper, bring the piece of wood or a picture with you and ask the hardware store's staff). You will then use a medium grain sandpaper to smooth out any remaining rough areas. You should be able to wipe your hand across the wood without feeling jagged spots. Lastly, the fine sandpaper will further smooth the wood and bring out more of the wood's character.

If the wood is stained or stained and varnished, your task will be more complicated. You would need to sand off all layers of varnish and stain, including at corners and joints, removing any hardware. If there are curves or decorative flourishes, it becomes very detailed work. Depending on the size of the object, and how complicated it is, the project could take you many months to complete.

Remember that sanded wood will need stained with 1 to 3 coats (wood soaks up stain), then varnished with 1 to 3 coats. Pick your stain wisely; it is better to start with a lighter stain (the color of Pine), than to go dark immediately (the color of oak or mahogany). Each coat needs 12-24 hours or longer of drying time. If you live in a humid area, the products might remain tacky for many days. Always check with professional before investing in a project. It might be cheaper to hire a woodworker or carpenter to make your project beautiful the first time.