Selecting & Processing Live Edge Wood for Furniture
When Rustic Red Door opened our current warehouse and live edge furniture was just being introduced, I saw my first live edge table. I fell completely awestruck at even the tiniest of nature’s characteristics in the wood: the delicate grain lines, the intriguing spalting, insect holes, and knots. Ever since then, I’ve wondered about the wood’s selection process as it becomes a table from a tree. (Read From Raw Materials to Rustic Beauty to learn how two tables were created from 3 maple slabs.)
I knew there was one person who could answer my questions about Rustic Red Door’s process for creating these gorgeous masterpieces. Co-owner of Rustic Red Door, Shaun Smith was my “go-to”. Below are a few general questions I posed to Shaun followed by his responses. I hope you find this as interesting and educational as I did.
Where do the wood slabs we use for our live edge tables originate?
We have lots of sources for live edge wood from local places to central Pennsylvania, to Ohio, to sourcing nationally or even finding imports, depending on our customer’s needs.
(Watch this short video of the inside of a live edge slab mill. Then look around in "The Pour Room" where the epoxy is carefully poured into the crevices.)
Do all tables have to include epoxy? How much epoxy do I need?
The purpose of epoxy is to fill naturally occurring crevices and insect holes to create a smooth, usable surface. The color and amount of epoxy is dependent on whether you want it to be a subtle addition or a focal point of the table...or something in between. Our design specialists can help you determine your desired look.
At what point in the process is the epoxy color decided?
Epoxy color, when applicable, should be decided before the work is completed on the project. For custom work, epoxy selection is influenced by many factors.
Do you hand-select each slab of wood?
I select some and customers choose or provide some.
A few of our standard pieces, like those for our Live Edge Walnut Dining Table (pictured here), are chosen by other craftsmen.
Are the slabs already kiln-dried when the woodworkers get them and is kiln-drying necessary?
The wood comes in various stages; it does get kiln-dried at some point. These are some of the benefits to kiln-drying wood.
-
Helps prevent warping
-
Increases durability
-
Kills pests
-
Can prevent damage to the wood
Do the live edges have to be taken down to the sapwood?
We recommend and traditionally remove the bark down to the solid wood or sapwood on the live edge. However, some bark can be left for added character at our customer's request.
If a customer wants a live edge table, does he give you the general dimensions and you look for a slab to meet those dimensions?
Yes, we source and provide options based on customer needs dimensionally.
(This video shows you two live edge walnut slabs provided by a local customer. The image below is the incredibly gorgeous, finished table.)
I've heard the term "Bookmatched" live edge. What does that mean?
A bookmatched tabletop is created from two cuts of wood from the same tree. The pieces are placed side-by-side and adhered together to create a mirror image. The result is a beautiful, solid wood top showcasing the tree's unique grain lines as shown in the table pictured here.
Generally, how do you decide which base to use and where it’s placed on the table?
Base design and placement are dependent on the table's size, functionality, and the customer's desires.
Do the same woodworkers who finish the slabs also create the steel bases?
We have a separate steel shop in Ohio that hand-welds and powder-coats bases for us.
Are wood bases an option?
Yes! We have many options for wood bases that, generally, can be incorporated to our live edge table designs. (See some of our bases here.) For our wood bases, we apply a pre-catalyzed polyurethane finish for protection. And, as always, we can customize a base if a customer prefers a different design.
From start to finish, what’s the general time frame for making a live edge dining table?
There are many different variables involved when determining a delivery date. Generally, 2-6 months is a typical timeframe.
Intrigued?
We love how these majestic rustic pieces from just beyond our home's walls can be carefully crafted into long-lasting objects of beauty for us to enjoy! And recycling discarded trees into wood slabs for furniture is a wonderful way to give them new purpose!
I hope reading this post has made you an even greater lover of nature than before. If you need help getting started on a live edge piece for your home or office, call 610-672-6454 and speak to one of our design specialists. Or complete the Customization Form below and we'll be more than happy to connect with you.
