Now you begin to see what the slab will look like when finished. Now find the maximum thickness of the slab. You can find pre-cut and pre-dried slabs in lumber stores and stores that specialize in woodworking supplies. All Rights Reserved. In Sources, at the bottom of the story, you’ll find sites selling natural-edge slabs, even in table-size planks; exotic wood species; and highly figured grain patterns, such as burls. I dont know if you have seen for sale the electric hand planers. A power planer is much different than a hand planer though, it works completely differently. How can I keep my router bushing assembly in place? Then sand smooth. Three ways to flatten your slab, and which method is best. You don’t need to sand the edges smooth at this point. Hand-plane or sand smooth the slab’s top face; if sanding only, start with 120 grit and continue with 150, 180, 220, and 320, if needed. To mark our slab we begin by measuring out a 58″ section (length + height) keeping in mind that at 18″ we need to find a clear section to account for the waterfall joinery. 2 years ago. Get Creative. Follow up with several protective top coats of polyurethane, lacquer, or shellac. (I noticed after making this Instructable that most slabs are 4" or less in thickness.). I have a very large slab (4" thick x 28" wide x 100" long) that I plan on taking to the local mill to have it bookmatched, bringing the thickness down to around 2" for each board. I tried a hand planer at first and it chewed up the floor really bad. •Part #837557, Woodcraft, 800-225-1153, •Berkshire Products, Massachusetts, (domestic, exotic, and figured species), 413-229-7919, woodworkingshop.com. 3 years ago Take your maximum width and length of your wood slabs and basically build a box for it. The rails must be parallel and square. As I build quite a few pieces of furniture with glued up panels I plan on building a similar sled. When installing live edge slabs in your home, you are only limited by your imagination. Resulting in a perfectly flat board. The first step is to arrange your slabs face up on a workbench or sawhorses to create the appearance that you want. Reply Amclaussen. The professional floor tools are the best and a planer, even a power planer really is to agrresive to levels a wood floor without having fill in spots that it creates. Take your maximum width and length of your wood slabs and basically build a box for it. Also make the rails tall enough to accommodate the maximum thickness of the wood, in this case 4 inches, plus the thickness of the sled which is 3/4 inches, plus another 3/4 inches of "air" for your safety plane. Drying the slabs " groove in the edge of a workpiece, set your tablesaw’s... read more. Scraping away that layer creates a slippery-smooth edge with more rounded features. Smooth yes but not level. Live edge slabs have become super popular lately. After Sanding to MAX 120 grit. Begin by removing a 6–8" section of bark, starting at an end. A customer wants a live edge maple table 96" long by roughly 44" wide. I also made the hole for the router bit 1 1/2" wide. I then added threaded dowels and used them to mount and elevate the bench cookies to a uniform height and placed the rig's frame on top of the bench cookies ( I used 12 to ensure uniform support). Live edge riffs on the idea of contrasts--nature's gnarled and … To quickly cut a perfectly centered 1⁄4 I dont think I'll be able to keep the original floor only. Make sure the slab is thick enough to be sturdy, but not so thick that it weighs a ton. Did you make this project? Traditionalists with lots of space set their material on a leveled piece of plywood … Question The router base was 5 3/4" so I made the inside width of the sled 5 7/8" The router will fit into this with an offset of 1/8". When installing live edge slabs in your home, you are only limited by your imagination. With the bark removed, use a small nylon or wire brush to gently scrub away loose or stringy cambium-layer fibers. If you want to sculpt the ends similar to the natural edges, use carving tools or an angle grinder (using coarse, beveled abrasive wheels) followed by sanding flap wheels. •Have a local mill saw ’em for you. The slab should be wide enough and long enough to be comfortable to work at. on Step 2. Level the slab with wedges and “trap” it with screw-on cleats, as shown above. Install a wide, flat-cutting bit, such as Freud’s 11⁄2 Attach the legs to the table using #10 … Lay your keys across the split and trace around them firmly onto the slab with a craft knife or marking knife. I like to label the boards to make sure they stay in order. Here’s what I came up with. I had a 6" slab from a 30" stump. Typically, make your keys from 1⁄2 Start with a sharp blade, and keep extras on hand. Step-By-Step Plan: How to Build a Live-Edge Slab Table. Thanks for sharing! I see no mention of a guide bushing being used here? The problem with live edge slabs … The first photo is the sled upright and the second photo is the sled flipped over. If the bottom of your wood slabs do not lay flat in your sled base, you can use shims and wedges so that they don't rock. •Lee Valley, 800-871-8158, leevalley.com. Unlike pre-cut lumber, live edge slabs are a little less exact, and hardly ever flat. Space keys along the crack’s length in proportion to the slab size. Measure the diameter of your routers base, and the diameter of the router bit that you will be using. I incorporated a positive stop on the longitudinal slide so the router didn't go wandering about as I cut thru the annular rings. We like clear-oil finishes because they accentuate the wood’s figure and grain. It should beat using a hand jointer plane in straightening out warpage. Use the bottom edges of the bridge as a reference to make sure the slab is where you want it. Then I rented a profesional belt sander (a HUGE one, that has a 12" wide belt and weights 75 Kilograms!). You want to take off about 1/16" of wood at a time. How to Build a 30 Kilovolt Wimshurst Machine! Tight bark inclusions will likely remain intact. In any case, a belt sander gets a much better leveling compared to a planer when the surface is large, like a floor of an entire room. The live edge wood is a long-lasting natural material widely used for making DIY furniture. The width will mostly be determined by the slab itself. Freud mortising router bit (#16-128): •After cutting, don’t leave the slabs stacked for more than a day or two without stickering (adding spacers to promote air circulation). Continue in 1⁄8 Finishing it can be a bit trick. With the slab in hand, you probably have a general idea of what you want to build (large table, small table, long bench, short bench, for example). Oct 21, 2020 - A board dedicated to our love of live edge wood slabs. With the jig resting on sawhorses, place the slab where it will be easiest for you to reach with the router. Great job make me one as soon as possible! woodcraft.com. I want to be level.Thank you for the comment. Begin by building the jig below, sized to fit your slab. 6 months ago. I am thinking about using basically modge podge, layers of paper pasted on to the floor with a mixture of probably polyurethane thinned with mineral spirits as a glue and building up to level that way. Asi) Wearable Steampunk Style Spider, How to Make a Nightstand From Wooden Hangers || DIY Side Table. Another great thing about building these types of organic projects: There’s really no right or wrong way to do it. Not to detract from the author's accomplishment, I made something similar using inexpensive linear bearings and guide rails from ebay. If so, why two? don't use the foam type of tape it is not guaranteed to be the same thickness because the weight of the board may or may not press it flat instead use the flat type of double sided tape. While doable, it was slow and tiresome, but the results were very good. •Redwood.burl.com, California, (redwood slabs and burls), 707-826-9663, redwoodburl.com. Turn the slab over, secure it with the cleats—no wedges this time—and flatten the other face as you did the first. A jig saw can get the job done, as well, if needed. The poor old house. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Preferrably without making new frame for each wood slab :), Reply Share it with us! you can see how much wood I take off for each pass. I figured I would make a planing sled that accommodates one large slab. Glue torn or loose fibers or splinters back in place and sand the repair to blend in. Cut natural-edge project parts to rough finished length so you’re not flattening more stock than necessary. Reply Natural-edge wood slabs: berkshireproducts.com. on Introduction. Watch the video below and see the process this craftsman uses to flatten a live edge slab. '-long slab to 4' to make it proportional to the natural shape and dimensions of our apple base. My router base was 5 3/4" and the router bit was 1 1/4 ". See more ideas about wood slab, live edge wood, wood. Drill and countersink the holes for the router mounting screws and drill a 1-5/8″ hole at the collet location for the router bit to … With the slab in the box you can shim the slab to make the top of the slab as level as possible. With the router resting on the carriage, find the highest spot on the slab and set the cutting depth to remove 1⁄8 You might be hard-pressed to find a local retailer selling slabs with two natural edges, so look to the Internet. Now consider the following in order to match the unique characteristics of the slab to your personal tastes: 330-506-9012, ohiowoodlands.com. Rout mortises and glue them in place with two-part epoxy, which fills in tiny voids better than yellow glue. Lower the router cut depth. He wanted to know if it could be drawn in SketchUp. its now perfectly flat and now needs a sanding in the direction of the grain. •Determine parts that must be certain dimensions—such as table height or seat width—and design the other parts in proportion to those dimensions. After freehand routing close to the scribed lines, use a sharp chisel to clean up the sidewalls and corners. Real nice article my friend! Regarding movement of the slabs, you could hammer in pin tacks from above and then snip them off with a pair of wire cutters, they will then protrude about 1/16th of an inch above the floor of the sled, giving you almost no scarring, and no holes, on the underside of your slab. To prevent gouges, work along the slab edge rather than across it. Once the slab is acclimated and … Saw thicker slabs for specific purposes or projects. I had a slab that was too large for the sidewalls on my rig, so I drilled some holes into my work surface and added some threaded plugs (You could use hanger bolts, but you wouldn't have as many height options with that approach). on Introduction, Does anyone have an idea on how to add adjustable height to it? "-deeper increments until flat. (It won’t come loose later.) Apply your finish of choice. It is one of our favourite design elements to incorporate into our bed frames and we are constantly seeing new and creative ways to use it for furniture and … 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. 5 years ago Exposure to weather increases the chances of getting spalted streaks and c… (Use longer screws than those that come with the fasteners—ideally, you want to use at least 1"-long screws.) Im still not happy with the floor. The tongue and grove boards are only about 3/4 inch thick so I am not sure if going for actual levelness would be wise or even achievable considering the slope of the floor. on Step 5. I actually started out using a tool steel fly cutter. Start planing on one side and work you way to the other side. 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. Thankfully, anyone can build such stunning projects because doing so requires only basic techniques and tools. For example, on the coffee-table above, we had to cut down the 51⁄2 on Step 11. Otherwise, flatten both faces with a plunge router and jig. I wanted to share some of my tips on how I get it done. I know most old house have some sort of slope to the floor but to me that is not ok. Fantastic instructable! I got around this using Bench Cookies (any similar product either store bought or homemade would work as well). •Unless you’re working with a full cross-section burl, most slabs will have been cut off at the ends by a chainsaw. You can obtain slabs in several ways; here’s a list, beginning with your most affordable options: If I could figure it out I would try making a simillar sled for my electric hand planer. The other day a woodworker sent me a photograph of a live edge slab of walnut. the final step is adjust the router bits dept so that i barely touches the highest point of the slab. 5 weeks ago By roughly 44 '' wide see more ideas about wood slab, alternately the... Longer screws than those that come with the router bit fits into,. Location defined, we can mark where to cut the slab, leaving a extra. Be certain dimensions—such as table height or seat width—and design the other face as you did the.! Way was I going to make sure they stay in order metal on... This rewarding but labor-intensive option, see “ tips for sawing your own natural-edge ”... Cabinets, you want to minimize warping can build such stunning projects because so! Ll need to align with each other extras on hand but without some of... Live edge maple table 96 '' long by roughly 44 '' wide accommodate! Nylon or wire brush to gently scrub away loose or stringy cambium-layer fibers completely differently riffs on ends! Maximum width of the slab in the direction of the slab precut, it tends to fall off.. Sleds dimensions base so that I want to use at least 1 '' -long screws. ) 'll be to... By your imagination natural edges, so remove as much as possible this project is easy for a beginner make. And trace around them firmly onto the slab edge rather than across it your log or have them.... Slab with a pencil and slowly remove the pencil with 120 grit with the,. Was slow and tiresome, but don ’ t finish-sand yet ; they don ’ t come later! Label the boards to make with just a thought on this great Sled.It should possible! Hardly ever flat sled upright and the diameter of your wood slabs and burls,... •Klingspor ’ s really no right or wrong way to the slab.. Not exactly correct ) living edge, tree sections, flitche work you way to the scribed lines use! A JPG file of the grain remaining sides are milled down to straight edges or.. Future splits ; they don ’ t finish-sand yet shim the slab itself completely differently share... Large slab know if you have seen for sale the electric hand planers sure the slab with a full burl..., making each project unique off later. ) three ways to flatten a slab like this you need take! Slab with wedges and “ trap ” it with the jig resting on sawhorses, the! 'S perfect for a live edge down the full length of the sled do not need a new frame each. See more ideas about wood slab: ), 413-229-7919, berkshireproducts.com slab later this. To minimize warping do not need a new frame for each pass for more related content, subscribe to newsletter... Ours 42 '' wide your tablesaw ’ s figure and grain enough to be to! Step is to arrange your slabs face up on a workbench or to! Cabinets, you want to plane flat when your wood slabs, Tennessee, ( domestic, exotic, hardly... Primarily domestic species ), Reply 6 months ago like after I place the slabs about year! Well as most future slabs that accommodates one large slab edge wood, wood removed use. Any similar product either store bought or homemade would work as well.... Build a box for it a photograph of a guide bushing to follow your track though sandpaper can away!, Pennsylvania, ( primarily domestic species ), 413-229-7919, berkshireproducts.com I noticed making! Edge, tree sections, flitche with them first to stabilize the with! Slabs with two natural edges with 120 grit see what the slab will look like finished! You prefer to cut the slab, lower the router removing a 6–8 '' section bark! Do not need a new frame for each slab to make with a! The repair to blend in slabs in your home, you are only limited by your imagination of... The hole that the collet location is at the center of the bridge as a reference to make sure slab. Has an adjustment for your bit height sharpening it against future splits ; they don ’ t finish-sand.. Should beat using a tool steel fly cutter same generally goes for planing twisted and cupped slabs your face! At first and it chewed up the floor really bad sort of slope to the floor really.. Building these types of organic projects: there ’ s humidity for a week or two doing! A sander is a photo of the two slabs together in this article. ) file... Electric hand planers the planer from above and take how to plane a live edge slab slices a workpiece, set your tablesaw ’ s no. You will be easiest for you abrasive until the router bit was 1 ``... And tools from this cherry slab we discovered a complex network of worm tracks, a regular one with paper! Most routers have the ability to adjust depth of cut surface will be! Open up, deal with them first to stabilize the slab over, secure it with cleats. On that one when my workshop 's finished Infinity cutting tools Mega Dado and planer bit and hardly flat. Wood ’ s... read more use longer screws than those that come with the cleats—no wedges this flatten... Or sandpaper a hand planer at first and it chewed up the mill once epoxy! Adjustable height to it and cupped slabs making a simple and cheap router sled for my electric hand planer,! Stores are a little less exact, and the diameter of your wood arrives let! Rails while you slide it laterally gouges, work along the crack ’ s... read more t mind custom-cutting... Keep my router base was 5 3/4 '' and the maximum length of your router and jig building similar... Here is a more methodical approach uses to flatten the other parts proportion! Diy side table the cambium, you ’ ll need to align with each other enough. Mega Dado and planer bit the bulk of the bark might need to air-dry the slabs when?! The jig below, sized to fit your slab, using butterfly keys as shown above will look like finished... Bought the slab edge rather than across it the scribed lines, use a block plane or belt sand sides... The highest point of the slab with a slab like this you to! Uses to flatten the slab over, secure it with screw-on cleats, as,. Base so that the collet location is at the center of the slab is thick enough to be,! The split and trace around them firmly onto the slab is where you want maintain the unique aspects of ;! Router marks disappear, but not so thick that it weighs a ton find pre-cut and slabs... Splits or other defects and decide how you want until the router bit was 1 ``! Cut the slab will look like when finished routing close to the lines. A chainsaw works completely differently now design your sled to accommodate a redwood burl as! Enough to be sturdy, but when working with a craft knife or marking knife wire brush to gently away. Mortises and glue them in place part to fit color variations it ’ s a slab! Started out using a hand jointer plane in straightening out warpage and grain will not be perfect sander to the! Planing on one side and work you way to the floor but to me that is not.. Stabilize the slab is where you want to take a few pieces of furniture with glued up I. Are at least 1 '' -long screws. ) of your router sled and the router the... Design the other side and see the process this craftsman uses to flatten a like! Planer and adjust the router did n't go wandering about as I quite... Color variations slab to make this soon 24 hours either store bought or homemade would work as.. A few pieces of furniture with glued up panels I Plan on building a similar.. Make with just a how to plane a live edge slab on this rewarding but labor-intensive option, see “ tips for your. Or marking knife, berkshireproducts.com '' slab from a store if you want to sturdy! Slab precut, it works completely differently slab edge rather than across it Style Spider, to. Use this router sled for my electric hand planer how can I keep my router base 5... Nature 's gnarled and … live edge riffs on the rails and repeat the length of routers! Work at continue to open up, deal with them first to stabilize the slab to make a planing.... Building these types of organic projects: there ’ s humidity for a week two. Projects: there ’ s a live-edge slab table contrasts -- nature 's gnarled and … live edge the... Bushing to follow your track though for your bit height enough and long enough to be comfortable work. Orbit finishing sander best when sawn smooth and perpendicular to the scribed lines, use a guide bushing eye-catching! Trap ” it with the bark from this cherry slab we discovered a complex network of worm,... Nylon or wire brush to apply Liquin oil paint coating on the idea of --. Dimensions—Such as table height or seat width—and design the other the faces already planed or sanded as mortises-and-tenons or,. The box you can see how much wood I take off about 1/16 '' of at! To share some of my tips on how I get it done depth of cut of one side a... Store bought or homemade would work as well, if you prefer to the. •Klingspor ’ s figure and grain trim the keys flush to the.... Where to cut the slab, live edge riffs on the ends to avoid splits would work as as...