Walnut Live Edge Table

[WoodWhisperer]

Been wanting to make a new kitchen table for a long time. Settled on making a walnut live edge table and couldn't be happier! 

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The booked matched slabs in the rough. About 2 1/2" thick x16-18" wide and 84" long.

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First thing to do is to flatten the slabs. Used two 2x4's that a joined straight for the guide rails. Made a sled for the router to ride on. Used a 1 1/2" wide straight router bit.

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Used the TS 55 to rip the two inside edges off. Once I ripped them both I put the two straight edges together and re-ripped them at the same time with the saw blade centered. This gave me a perfect joint.

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After I glued and clamped together.

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Decided to add a few (4) bow ties. Cut the bow ties out with a jig saw and removed most of the material for the bow tie hole with the 1400 router. Finished it with a chisel.
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Filled all the knot holes and defects with a two part epoxy and black pigment.
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Sanded it down from 120,180, and finished it off with 220.
The finish I applied was boiled linseed oil and wipe on satin poly(4coats)
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The kids approve, I think?!!

I had a lot of fun on this build. Learned a lot and enjoyed the process.

Thanks for the look!
Sean

 

[Wuffles]

As they say around here, lush.

 

[ear3]

Beautiful work.  What's the brand/make of the epoxy filler that you used?  I have to do some filling on a Maple live edge slab I have.

 

[Billedis]

That is really beautiful!  Thank you so much for sharing.  Bill

 

[WoodWhisperer]

Beautiful work.  What's the brand/make of the epoxy filler that you used?  I have to do some filling on a Maple live edge slab I have.

Thanks! The epoxy I used was system three 5 min cure. Equal parts resin and hardener. You don't have long to work with it so I mixed very small amounts. But it's ready to sand off much faster.

 

[mike_aa]

[member=21332]WoodWhisperer[/member]

Wow, that's a great looking top.  The bookmatching really adds to the character.  What did the finished dimensions work out to after all the cuts?

Thanks for sharing!

Mike A.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

[member=21332]WoodWhisperer[/member]

Wow, that's a great looking top.  The bookmatching really adds to the character.  What did the finished dimensions work out to after all the cuts?

Thanks for sharing!

Mike A.

Thanks Mike!!
The top ended up being 35-36 inches wide x 72 inches long.

 

[Wuffles]

Did you make the legs yourself too?

 

[WoodWhisperer]

Did you make the legs yourself too?

I had a metal fab shop bend the two sides and then had a friend weld the pieces together. I added the wood beam in the middle.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Nice work, it has a medieval feel too it. Thanks for sharing your working methods and the images..

 

[jacko9]

Great job Sean and a very clever idea for the base it really sets off the beauty of the top.  That black tint you mixed in the epoxy if it's the same stuff I used, it's get on everything!

Jack

 

[WoodWhisperer]

Great job Sean and a very clever idea for the base it really sets off the beauty of the top.  That black tint you mixed in the epoxy if it's the same stuff I used, it's get on everything!

Jack

Thanks! Yes the pigment is messy! I think I still have some on my hands. Pretty sure 12 people could use the same container for a life time and still not run out! A little dab will do u.

 

[nclemmons]

Nice work - really love live edge work.  The metal base is a nice compliment to the live edge.

Thanks for all the detail photos!

neil

 

[WoodWhisperer]

Nice work - really love live edge work.  The metal base is a nice compliment to the live edge.

Thanks for all the detail photos!

neil

Thanks! It was my first live edge table and really enjoyed it!

 

[WoodWhisperer]

I should have waited till I got the pictures back from my neighbor.  She took some really great pics with a real camera(not an iPhone). She did an awesome job of capturing some of the details.
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[butzla]

That top looks awesome!  You did a yeoman's job on the bow ties.  They keep it stable yet still maintain the natural beauty and symmetry of the wood.  Brilliant use of your TS with the joinery, too.
I'm not a huge fan of the base, however.  In my eyes it seems too busy and the shape reminds me somehow of coat hangers.  Still, it doesn't diminish the beautiful job you did on the top.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

That top looks awesome!  You did a yeoman's job on the bow ties.  They keep it stable yet still maintain the natural beauty and symmetry of the wood.  Brilliant use of your TS with the joinery, too.
I'm not a huge fan of the base, however.  In my eyes it seems too busy and the shape reminds me somehow of coat hangers.  Still, it doesn't diminish the beautiful job you did on the top.

Thanks I think?!
I actually agree with u somewhat. I originally didn't have the 1/2" rods going from top to bottom. The base without them was too wobbly. I made the base out of 1/4" thick steel and should have went with 1/2" and probably could have done without the rods.
Live and learn I guess.

 

[Andy UK]

I like that because it looks unique and different from the usual dining table style.
And looks like it will last a lifetime.

 

[butzla]

That top looks awesome!  You did a yeoman's job on the bow ties.  They keep it stable yet still maintain the natural beauty and symmetry of the wood.  Brilliant use of your TS with the joinery, too.
I'm not a huge fan of the base, however.  In my eyes it seems too busy and the shape reminds me somehow of coat hangers.  Still, it doesn't diminish the beautiful job you did on the top.

Thanks I think?!
I actually agree with u somewhat. I originally didn't have the 1/2" rods going from top to bottom. The base without them was too wobbly. I made the base out of 1/4" thick steel and should have went with 1/2" and probably could have done without the rods.
Live and learn I guess.

Please don't take it the wrong way.  I like your table very much.  In fact, I've never been a fan of the live edge slab tables but after seeing yours, I want to build one!  Where does one come across slabs like that?  In a lumber yard or a downed tree? 
Back to the base.  Before I posted the above, I kept looking at it over and over.  Something didn't look right to me.  Design is subjective, it's a personal thing.  I think I need to see it in person.
When I build one,  I think I would go with a wooden base, like the one pictured here that Okami built over on TF  But again,  that doesn't mean that either way is wrong or right,  it's just a personal preference.  Getting different design/method ideas are what these forums are all about.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

[

Please don't take it the wrong way.  I like your table very much.  In fact, I've never been a fan of the live edge slab tables but after seeing yours, I want to build one!  Where does one come across slabs like that?  In a lumber yard or a downed tree? 
Back to the base.  Before I posted the above, I kept looking at it over and over.  Something didn't look right to me.  Design is subjective, it's a personal thing.  I think I need to see it in person.
When I build one,  I think I would go with a wooden base, like the one pictured here that Okami built over on TF  But again,  that doesn't mean that either way is wrong or right,  it's just a personal preference.  Getting different design/method ideas are what these forums are all about.

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I found a local guy that finds trees and saves them from the firewood pile. He mills them to slabs and drys and sells them from his shop. I was lucky in finding him.
On the base, I am not totally in love with the base either. I added the 1/2" vertical rods to make the base more sturdy. The table is for my own home and can live with it. If it was for a customer I would have remade the base out of 1/2" thick steel instead of 1/4". Thanks for the comments!
Sean