Live Edge Coffee Table

[roughsawn]

This is the first table of the new year. Several more to go. My brother has some 32" slabs that were cut from a (biologist estimate) 200 year old oak on his farm in Iowa. About 15 years ago. He has asked me to make several pieces of furniture for him, out of the slabs. First is this coffee table. Then a couple of table tops for his and a friend's pontoon boats. Also a live edge sitting bench and coat rack for his entryway. After that, a bookshelf. My list of 10 projects for myself this winter, is on hold...lol

 

[roughsawn]

I took the liberty to contour a square corner, to give it more of a live edge look.

 

[gee-dub]

Nice!  I have profiled some things to look "live" as well.  What did you use?  

I used an Arbortech wheel on an angle grinder.

[roughsawn]

I used a rasp and sandpaper. Since I am SO talented with hand tools...lol

I forgot to add...and I'm sure some of you are asking...why the HILL did he leave a big ole knot in the middle of the table??? Well, the answer is simple. He is into the knots and imperfections, big time. So, I have to leave something, somewhere, in all the projects. He likes it, he's the boss.

But the grain in these slabs is unlike anything I've seen. Beautiful and spectacular are a couple words that come to mind. And the fact that almost everything can be done without a glue joint...is kinda nice, too.

[gee-dub]

On 2/7/2025 at 8:47 AM, roughsawn said:

I forgot to add...and I'm sure some of you are asking...why the HILL did he leave a big ole knot in the middle of the table??? Well, the answer is simple. He is into the knots and imperfections, big time.

We are of a like mind there.  I like pieces that have character.

[wtnhighlander]

I'm not often a fan of 'live-edge' pieces, but this is subtle enough to provide a very pleasing curve. Well done.

[fcschoenthal]

That's a nice slab and must have been a pleasure to work with. How thick is it?

[roughsawn]

Started out 2-1/4" dried. Unfortunately, after he stickered these slabs, years ago, he didn't know about strapping them together, or adding a bunch of weight on top. Everything has twisted. That's the reason for the rip down the middle. Ripping and planing has saved a bunch of thickness by reducing the twist in most boards...by about half.

My new 20" planer is SUCH a timesaver.

[Dave H]

On 2/7/2025 at 7:39 AM, roughsawn said:

I took the liberty to contour a square corner, to give it more of a live edge look.

 

I did this on my coffee table contouring the live edge onto the breadboard edge detail with a flap wheel disk on my 4 1/2" grinder, it worked great I did it out side with a fan to blow the sawdust away from me. I went with this method because I'm cheap and to impatient to wait for the $70 carving disk to arrive... flap wheel disk about $10 I practiced on some scrap and it worked great so I put my big boy pants on and went after the breadboard edge walnut pieces I had way more control than I thought I would then I sanded up to 220 grit. 

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

That looks incredible Dave!!

[Von]

I'm not usually a fan of breadboard ends, but with the contrasting wood, I really like these. Nice job.

[fcschoenthal]

I agree with Von, I really like the contrasting ends.

[wtnhighlander]

You did a nice job, blending the breadboards into the live edge, too!

[dwilliam]

 

Working with 200-year-old oak slabs is a rare opportunity, you’re going to create some truly unique, heirloom-quality pieces. That coffee table must be stunning already. It’s great that your brother trusted you with such valuable wood, even if it means putting your own projects on hold. Looking forward to seeing the full collection come together, it’s going to be epic.