Actually, the truth is, my friend didn't want them and threw them into a bonfire, and before the flames could devour them I pulled them out and loaded them onto my trailer. I instantly knew that it was destined to become live edge floating shelves! 6. This article has been viewed 145,204 times. Then sand the sap wood (live edge) with a smaller headed sander to bring out the color and remove any bark or dirt. Live Edge Lap Desk I'm working on a live edge walnut slab coffee table. Close. The bark should come loose in long strips. Thanks for the great article! Check prices on hotels close to Caddy Shack Mini Golf ... Waltz Vineyards has a selection of quality local wines, so if you are a lover of wine, this is the ideal place for you. Unlike sanding a flat surface, I … I have heard people say the difference between a live edge bowl and a natural edge bowl is the bark. Once you’re happy with the shape, take your serving board’s handle to the drill press and use a forstner bit to drill a handle. Keep this in mind if you are looking to leave the bark on the edges of boards in finished pieces or want to remove the bark easily in other situations. I have just finished sanding a maple live edge table to 240grit. Cyanoacrylate glue or CA can be used to glue the bark edge firmly to the live edge bowl. Finishing it can be a bit trick. How to Remove Bark From Live Edge Wood. Thin it roughly 50% and let the bark soak it up, then come back with a few layers of full thickness. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Nov 28, 2020 - Explore dean hellickson's board "Live Edge Bar" on Pinterest. One important tip I try to follow when sanding the live edge is to make sure I don't round the lines where the live edge meets to surface of the slab. This is a thick coating when compared to other resin type finishes and can be applied with a squeegee. 5 Posts . "Better than IKEA instructions. 7. I've talked with a few wood turners that specialize in live-edge work and all seem to agree that the bark will come off at some point no matter what you do. Don't move the tool back-and-forth. For more tips, like how to fill in any voids on the surface of your wood, read on. Colleen Pastoor at Lemon Thistle treated her live edge mantel with six coats of Varathane Diamond Wood Finish to bring out the wood's natural colors and to give the surface a more finished look. I use three simple steps to cruise through my Live Edge Slab Projects Check out the blog article HERE. I typically go for the latter with some 80-grit sandpaper and go to town. On the one hand, slabs are just thicker pieces of wood and are finished using exactly the same techniques that woodworkers have been using forever. Isn't it gorgeous? But working with live edge slabs can be somewhat of a pain. Once you’re happy with the shape, take your serving board’s handle to the drill press and use a forstner bit to drill a handle. Start on one side, then rub out the finish with a dry cloth. And while I have you here, preferred finishes for bar top? This can be any type of stain and/or clear finish. The term live edge does not necessarily mean that the slab still has bark on the edges. I’m a fan of the smooth live edge hiding underneath the bark. Usually the live edge faces upwards, but there are no hard and fast rules. I'm working on a live edge walnut slab coffee table. This is a raw, more natural look to the wood where it goes uncut and has organic shapes. One side is flat and the other is nothing but live edge bark. Posted by 7 hours ago. I recently took an interest in wood working and decided that as my first project I would make a live edge coffee table. Sand the whole surface with 80 grit, continuing to 120 on the aggressive setting. Thank you so much for checking out my Finish A Live Edge Slab Tutorial. As part of the presentation I want to cover the various options open to dealing with the bark. If you’re not familiar, ‘Live Edge’ wood is a slab of rough-cut wood sliced right off the tree… bark and everything! After the coat is dry, sand it with 500-grit sandpaper and repeat 2 more times. Table Top – Using a live-edge slab as a table top is a very common approach. If you purchase an unfinished live edge slab of wood, you'll need to know how to properly finish the slab before using it for your DIY woodworking project. By using our site, you agree to our. Once the surface is prepped to 120 grit with the aggressive sander, Move onto a random orbit finishing sander. Choose wood that was felled during the summer. It’s cherry, not walnut but not that far of a stretch. A live edge of a piece of wood is the bark side of the wood. If you choose to leave the voids hollow for a rustic look, skip past this entire section. wicker outdoor bar cart. And that’s a wrap on my live edge river table! Scrape the fibers off with a nylon or wire brush. I removed the bark and sanded it down. This will show any bubbles on the surface. Mrs L wanted the "live edge" look (what I would call a waney edge!) Remove the bark and sand the wood . I also want to use the sanding live edge process to double check the bark and make sure it’s going to stay stuck. Tree bark on log furniture adds a rustic, artistic touch to any home. Use a tinted, Once the epoxy is flattened continue with your aggressive sander. Then sand the sap wood (live edge) with a smaller headed sander to bring out the color and remove any bark or dirt. As others have stated if the piece will see contact the bark will eventually suffer. Live edge board with one straight long side . Logged Trying to be one of the most helpful members on the FOG. If you work across it, you may gouge the surface and leave marks. Once the surface is prepped to 120 grit with the aggressive sander, Move onto a random orbit finishing sander. You don't need to finish sanding both the top and bottom faces. how to finish live edge bark + how to finish live edge bark 14 Jan 2021 When you're not using it, an outdoor bar cart can serve as an attractive plant stand or extra storage. Live edge riffs on the idea of contrasts--nature's gnarled and chaotic beauty against human-created smooth surfaces. I used a 1 5/8″ bit. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Personally, I like the look of the live edge better after bark removal, so I've never had to consider it. natural bark edge on wood wink58 | Posted in Finishing on June 2, 2009 02:34am I have built a piece featuring the naturalun sawn and planed edge of a plank. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Butterfly keys are blocks of wood shaped like bowties. Save. Once you’re happy with the shape, sand your board. Materials Needed to Make Live Edge Floating Shelves . that worked perfect, but the sanding attachement on my multi-tool would have worked just as well if I didn't run it over with my truck last month.. Live edge wood is when a tree is cut into a slab that retains the natural edge along the outside (with or without the bark intact). Source: DIY live edge mantel project from Colleen Pastoor at Lemon Thistle The bark is well and truly adhered to the wood, in fact it is hard to get off. So don’t be afraid to step outside of the box. A live edge bowl, also sometimes called a natural edge bowl, is a bowl that uses the natural contour of the bark side of a log as the top rim edge of the bowl. Thin it roughly 50% and let the bark soak it up, then come back with a few layers of full thickness. I like the dark epoxy. This was a nice, straightforward description about how to prepare the surfaces. It depends on what look you are going for, and also which side of the slab you decide looks better. What to look for•Logs felled during spring and summer give up their bark easier once dry, and have more unusual coloring due to higher moisture content.•Search out logs with multiple knots, burls, limbs, and other unique characteristics.•To create even more character in your wood, allow the logs to lie on the ground or in a stack for a year or two uncovered. Next, remove the live edge bark with the hand rasp as well. I used 60 girt, 120 grit, and finished with 220 grit. The wood comes ready to assemble but also comes with bark! how to finish live edge bark eBay. Use the hand rasp to roundover the handle. Finally, use a spray finish such as polyurethane over the … It can be removed if you like with a chisel. Use a block plane or a powder sander to trim the keys. Saving the bark edge captures the full story of the tree. BE the change you want to see. Once the surface is prepped to 120 grit with the aggressive sander, Move onto a random orbit finishing sander. I wanted to share some of my tips on how I get it done. Wood slabs without live-edge are like any wide piece of wood and require virtually the same technique to finish. I'm starting my first real wood working project. Gallery of live edge wood countertops including finish styles, cost and popular questions. Bacteria or mold growing under the bark will reduce its bond to the wood. Ask Question Asked 5 years, 8 months ago. My top idea was spray varnish/polyurethane to harden/preserve it. Discussion Starter • #1 • Jul 3, 2011. Before sanding, use a chisel to peel off the bark section by section, making sure to work along the edges of your slab so you don't gouge the surface. is, quite simply, a tree that has been cut (sliced) all the way across and typically has the natural edge of the tree on either side exposed. How much you sand the edge is up to you. Does the CA cause a … Sanding live edge on a table can be a little tricky. However, tree bark can attract insects and become damaged by fluctuating humidity levels. Then, use a sponge brush to apply a coat of polyurethane coating. Finish on live edge with bark. Finish the table in halves. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you have a live edge slab that you want to finish, first, peel off any bark in 6 to 8-inch sections using a rounded chisel. The last thing I did to the live-edge side of the slabs was use my palm sander to further smooth things out. Finishing schedule for live edge walnut slab. You can sand these off or leave them on for a cool effect. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Question It's just over 4 feet long, but only six inches wide in some spots. Step 4 Make a Faux Live Edge Photo by Webb Chappell. So, if your project only involves this, then you’re set! After looking at it long enough I decided to leave one corner with the live edge. It was my first time using this finish, but I really love how it turned out. This goes for any sawn surface. You can cut the slab from a piece of felled lumber, or have a lumber mill do it for you. Some hardware stores rent them out. You see: he considered them to be waste because they're not flat on both sides. Active 3 years, 9 months ago. A belt sander works as well. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. When I apply wipe-on-poly, it raises the grain in certain areas. Finishing schedule for live edge walnut slab. I use, Sand the hardened finish with 80 grit. Sand the whole surface with 80 grit, continuing to 120 on the aggressive setting. Posts: 158; Re: Best way to finish a live edge table « Reply #6 on: April 07, 2014, 10:35 PM » I have done the epoxy and not a huge fan and I find on live edges it tends to not level out and have almost run lines down the edges. I recommend a, Once the surface is prepped to 120 grit with the aggressive sander, Move onto a, After Sanding to MAX 120 grit. Mount Floating Shelves. If you purchase an unfinished live edge slab of wood, you'll need to know how to properly finish the slab before using it for your DIY woodworking project. I built two stand-up desks of ash earlier this year and am going to finish the live edge slab with the same finish - 1/3 BLO-1/3 Polyeurethane-1/3 mineral spirits, which I used as a wipe-on finish. Ask Question Asked 5 years, 8 months ago. Mount Floating Shelves. Often times, the bark has fallen off, and the live edge refers to the surface just below the bark. Darth 2: a 3D Printed Animated Darth Vader Helmet. The other thing that you can do is to use thin CA between the bark and sapwood to help keep it on. wicker outdoor bar cart. This has a smoother texture than bark, but still has a very natural look. on Step 3. I have a Black & Decker "Mouser" (onlye $30 on Amazon!) If you don’t want the live edges exposed on the outside, try orienting two live edges towards each other. Black walnut in my case. Sanding live edge on a table can be a little tricky. If it goes well I will pick up some more to make end tables and a bar table as a matching set. As others have stated if the piece will see contact the bark will eventually suffer. See more ideas about live edge bar, bars for home, basement bar. Live-edge material is recognized by its irregular edges that were formerly the outside skin of the tree. About: Former NFL Offensive lineman turned Furniture maker. It is better to apply many thin coats of a finish rather than 1 thick coat. 2. One end of this board had a sawn edge where a limb was cut off. Exposure to weather increases the chances of getting spalted streaks and c… If you want to apply a finish to both sides of the wood, do the top and edges first, let everything cure, then do the bottom. A live edge bowl has bark, while a natural edge bowl does not have bark. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Live edge is a popular style that incorporates at least one natural edge or plane of the wood's surface: wormholes, bark, wood grain, and all. They are big and bulky, which makes moving them by yourself very difficult. I picked up a piece of live edge red cedar and am making a desk out of it. If you love that look- heck yes, just leave it! I took it all outdoors in indirect sunlight to photograph it and still didn't get a great quality picture. Each slab is unique. The flaps typically only have sandpaper on 1 side. Logged Sparky. Question 5. Anything to suggest? Mark the whole surface with a pencil and slowly remove the pencil with … If you leave it intact clean it with compressed air to remove the dust buildup. Just drip it on and let the wood soak it in. This is particularly popular with cross-cut sections, “cookies” or slabs. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Shop Local. Start out by taping off the top of your slab. Curing, sanding, and sealing the wood will ensure that your project lasts for years to come. I also want to use the sanding live edge process to double check the bark and make sure it’s going to stay stuck. Lots of woods often have worm holes under the bark. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Cleaning up the wood cracks and live edges. If there is a split in the underside of the slab, you should install butterfly keys too. Make sure that you are moving your rotary tool with these flaps facing forward. !What router bit did you use to flatter your table topCliff, Question Re: Finish for live edge slabs with bark Keeping the bark on a slab is very difficult even after using CA glue as a binder. It will help hold the live-edge/bark together. Active 3 years, 9 months ago. Looks good with the wood and raw edge :). If you have a round slab, or a slab with bark on all 4 sides, you can skip this step. Online stores are a great place to purchase unique slabs made from rare varieties of wood as well. Remove the bark and sand the wood. Apply the finish of your choice. By esec12, ... 6 posts; Report; Share; Posted September 14, 2014. I am wondering how to finish the table to prevent bending? If you plan on tinting the epoxy, coat the wood with shellac first. Check prices on hotels close to Caddy Shack Mini Golf ... Waltz Vineyards has a selection of quality local wines, so if you are a lover of wine, this is the ideal place for you. It will be easier to remove the bark later on. I am using Waterlox Medium Gloss currently. However if I were to do it, I would use a thinned shellac. One of the most exciting things about moving to Denver is that I now have access to more live edge slab material. 6. Once it dried, it was a smooth matte finish and it fully cures after about four weeks. In this video I show how I finish my live edge slabs. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Once you’re happy with the shape, sand your board. It should be noted that LE collects dust making it look horrible. The width varied between 15 and 19 inches due to natural curbs on the sides. My question is whether the bark should be covered the same as wood, or whether I should leave the bark natural. Now everyone can buy timber slabs and create beautiful custom furniture at a fraction of the price that you would pay in a high-end furniture store. On all but one of my live edge pieces I removed nearly all of the bark, but recently I've seen a few fairly interesting youtube videos where the makers left if all on and slathered (in most cases....) the rough back with poly. October 24, 2015 at 7:33 am #413581. smallerstick. Experiment by applying a small amount of CA to an area. on Introduction. 5. The bark is removed from the wood to create a natural design with smoother edges while keeping the natural curves that are the main appeal of the live edge countertops. 7. You can flatten the bottom of the slab too for a nicer finish. Purchase the slab from a store if you want to minimize your work. Take these into consideration when picking your slab. Sand the whole surface with 80 grit, continuing to 120 on the aggressive setting. If you have a lot of voids, it's best to work in small batches, otherwise the epoxy will cure before you finish. How to Build a 30 Kilovolt Wimshurst Machine! Finish & Assemble. Looks authentic, and cant fall off. % of people told us that this article helped them. I would like to keep the bark on a live edge but make sure my kids don't break chunks off by picking at it and exposing the unfinished bark. When a tree is milled, the beauty of the heart and sapwood is exposed. From river tables to leaving the slab whole, it shows off wood’s natural beauty. Easy to follow and understand.". You can also use plumber's putty for this, but it can be difficult to remove--a quick blast from an air compressor hose ought to do the trick, however. This is a thick coating when compared to other resin type finishes and can be applied with a squeegee. This creates a “fissure” look, and provides an open area through which light, cords or other objects can pass. Then, wipe the surface with mineral spirits and wet-sand with 2000-grit sandpaper. For more tips, like how to fill in any voids on the surface of your wood, read on. I built two stand-up desks of ash earlier this year and am going to finish the live edge slab with the same finish - 1/3 BLO-1/3 Polyeurethane-1/3 mineral spirits, which I used as a wipe-on finish. I want there to be a hard line to show where the live edge ends and the cut surface begins. Pro. Before sanding, use a chisel to peel off the bark section by section, making sure to work along the edges of your slab so you don't gouge the surface. Has anyone tried to preserve/harden bark on a live edge before? The natural curve of the slabs allow for variations on the widths along the length. I removed the bark and sanded it down. This will prevent the epoxy from soaking into the wood and forming a "halo" of color. Also interested in any tips to get fuzzy areas out of bark? A belt sander works as well. I recently bought a live edge slab of ash that I am going to turn into a side table for my office. + how to finish live edge bark 14 Jan 2021 When you're not using it, an outdoor bar cart can serve as an attractive plant stand or extra storage. If you cut the slab yourself, or had a saw mill do it for you. I consider material that shadows the outside edge of the tree, but without the bark, to be live edge as well. Wood Fence GatesWooden Garden GateFence Doors ... Grow Box Diy Stealth Shelf Remove all the dirt from the surface with a. Once the surface is prepared to 120 grit, you can apply your Monocoat Finish. I made a 5' tall, live edge clock and finished it that way and have been very happy with it. You are doing this after you sand the faces because some pieces of trapped bark may not get revealed until after you sand them. I used an Ambrosia Maple Slab. What is a live edge countertop? On the other hand, if the slab has natural edges, checks (also known simply as “cracks”), bark inclusions (areas where the surface of the slab is bark tissue rather than wood) and even voids, then there are added details to deal with. North Bay, ON. 2 years ago. Wood slabs without live-edge are like any wide piece of wood and require virtually the same technique to finish. If you choose to keep the bark on your live edge and the type of wood is ideal for it, we’ll use epoxy to seal and protect the outer layer. If you leave it intact clean it with compressed air to remove the dust buildup. I have found that the only thing that bonds the bark to the slab is an epoxy coating such as "Pour On". My first was building my work bench, and now I'm making a coffee table with some live edge maple. You can proudly tell your family and friends that you made it yourself. I used 60 girt, 120 grit, and finished with 220 grit. Finishing ; Finishing a live edge cedar desktop Finishing a live edge cedar desktop. 2. I know its not the same, but there are videos out on how to “bark” a live edge that doesnt have the bark. Step 5 Smooth the Edges Last Updated: December 22, 2020 Viewed 37k times 15. To finish off the slab, repeat this process until you have 3 coats of shellac, then give it a spray of lacquer. Live Edge Timber Co. offers a unique way to customize Live Edge Timber slabs and make furniture building something anyone can do! https://www.woodmagazine.com/how-to-work-with-natural-edge-slabs, http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/the-challenge-of-finishing-a-wood-slab/, https://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/live-edge-slab-coffee-table/, faire la finition d'une planche de bois aux bords naturels, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Continue this process over the whole top and apply to the edges with a rag. One week ago i saw a table which was 100cm wide and bend 3cm from the centre.Could you give me some tips? Share it with us! Yes, the top. Finish on live edge with bark. You might find this video helpful. The slabs are 6' long and 2 inches thick. Should the live edge face up or down on a table? I am also in the proces of making dining table - i could not find one wide enough so i used two slabs and glue them together. Brandon. I recently took an interest in wood working and decided that as my first project I would make a live edge coffee table. Test your epoxy on the voids on the underside of the slab. 6. Sometimes these edges will have bark as well. With the right care, furniture made from trees with the bark left intact can last for 100 years or more, especially items made from birch bark. I prefer to back fill the voids in order to save time flattening as well as save cost on the amount of epoxy needed to fill the void. Store your harvested pieces in a cool, dry place. What should I do? Re: Finish for live edge slabs with bark Keeping the bark on a slab is very difficult even after using CA glue as a binder. I loved the character that the bark added, but it was unstable and I knew it wouldn’t stay in place. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Don't use an accelerator so it has the opportunity to get in as far as possible.