LIVE EDGE TABLE
Every year in the autumn we travel to Black Mountain NC to watch the leaves change. This year we wanted to bring home a memory, so we purchased a live edge slab of kiln dried maple.
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Once we got it home I went to work on it. The first step was to remove all of the bark on both edges with a hammer and chisel.
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Then I used a grinding wheel to shave off the remaining bark all the way down to the wood underneath.
The next step was to fill the cracks on the top with 2 part resin that you can find in any craft store. I made sure the resin was above the crack line and let it dry for 24 hours.
After the resin was dry, I sanded the whole table with 100 grit, followed by 120, then 150 using an orbital sander on top, and by hand on the edges. In between each sanding, I lightly sprayed the table with water to raise the grain. This makes the finish absorb more evenly. Then I wiped the whole table down with acetone to clean and prep for the finish.
When it came to the finish, I didn't want a glossy - plastic look. I wanted it to look natural with a matted finish, but I still wanted the grain to pop.
After some research I decided on Rubio Monocoat 2 part oil. This is a hardwax oil wood protector made of linseed that protects in only 1 single layer. Using advanced molecular bonding, it protects wood from water, heat and daily wear & tear. This product is used for wood floors, so I knew it would be great for a tabletop.
The finish was very simple to apply. After letting the table dry and cure, it was ready to attach the legs.
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You can see in the photos below the finished product with the brass hairpin legs that we chose. We placed the console table by the front door in the formal living room and every time we walk through the front door we are reminded of the North Carolina autumn.
