Smashedfinger Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 I live in Washington state in Hoodsport, along the Olympic peninsula. Everyone around here seems to be nuts for live edge furniture and shelves. Everyone seems to have a portable mill and selling Silver Maple, and Cedar slabs. The problem is they are air dried and never seem to be stable enough to make something out of. I've seen many cracked,warped, twisted tables that were made from air dried stock. It's everywhere around here in restaurants, businesses and homes. I have found a source for kiln dried slabs, but the sticker shock would floor an elephant! I'm not sure what one would do to stabilize one of these slabs, so it doesn't crack or warp? I have seen kiln dried Cedar going for 20.00 a bf for slabs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JohnG Posted June 17, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 If you buy it right after milling, you may be able to use good drying practices to keep it (fairly) stable and flat, but it does take time. It will almost certainly still need some flattening once it is dry. All of the twisted and cupped ones you are seeing are due to people turning the slabs into furniture before they are dried. Air drying isn’t bad, some people just aren’t patient enough to wait 1-2 years to use their cool new slab. Would hate to have your cool new live edge slab table be out of fashion by the time you make it! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 11 hours ago, JohnG said: Would hate to have your cool new live edge slab table be out of fashion by the time you make it! Agreed. But I would argue that they are already slipping out of fashion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 26 minutes ago, drzaius said: Agreed. But I would argue that they are already slipping out of fashion. I knew that, if I waited long enough, I could avoid the "fashion-du jour". I have been avoiding "trends" all my life - so much simpler that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 37 minutes ago, drzaius said: Agreed. But I would argue that they are already slipping out of fashion. One can only hope. 7 minutes ago, Ronn W said: so much simpler that way. Usually cheaper too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 18, 2019 Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 I made a live edge coffee table a few years ago and I think it looks great in the room it’s in, with a stucco fireplace, exposed wood beams and duck mounts. However, I am glad I got that out of my system. Sharp clean edges are back in style for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted June 18, 2019 Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 I hope the trend dies soon as well. I have no problem with it per se just that my wood supplier makes so much money on the slabs for less work that he doesn't cut much dimensional lumber anymore. Can't blame the guy more money less work and all but kind of a bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post drzaius Posted June 18, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 I've seen some gorgeous live edge slab furniture (think Nakashima et al) & I used to love the look. But then it just got to be this crazy thing where every woodworker & wannabe woodworker felt the need to make one (or many). There is still some great stuff being made, but so much of it is crap & ugly & it's just soured me on the genre. I include river tables in that group. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris208 Posted June 20, 2019 Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 Air drying on the Olympic Peninsula means it would never be dry enough to be used in conditioned-air environment. The only Rain forest in North America is there. It’s a lovely, but incredibly soggy part of the world. You could buy wet and dry indoors like Cremona does. Otherwise, Kile dried is likely the only option for usable stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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