You’ve just found yourself a beautiful slab that’s the perfect size, that blends with the “style” of your living room perfectly… but now what? What can you do with this slab? You can see the vision of your beautiful new coffee table in your head, but how do we make it a reality? You can start by reading these step-by-step instructions that will instill confidence in veterans and beginners alike.
You can do this! We have faith in you. (It’s actually very straightforward.)
The beauty of wood is that it’s completely customizable and your Wood Slab table can certainly be crafted to suite almost any décor. Finishing the slab allows you to easily enhance the natural characteristics of the wood and staining allows you to create a piece that can vary anywhere from eye-catching and elegant to rural and rustic. You can choose to stain your project or not, but it is important to finish your project in order to protect it from water, chemicals and everyday wear and tear. At a minimum, use a clear finish. It will add both protection and cosmetic enhancement that brings out the natural features of the slab.
Listed below are the things you’ll need and the steps you’ll need to take to create your brand-new, handcrafted live edge slab table.
What do I need?
- Wood Slab
- Hairpin legs
- Screws
- Drill
- Wood Stain / Finish
- Brush
- Rags (You’re going to need multiple)
- Safety equipment (Including but not limited to, safety glasses, dusk mask, gloves, etc.)
If your slab hasn’t been planed / sanded you will also need:
- An Electric Sander
- Sandpaper (60, 100, 150 & 220 grit)
Step 1: Sanding
The first thing you want to do is create a clean, dry, well-ventilated workspace. This will more than likely be outside or your garage, though you will have to be conscious of dirt / debris from the air settling on your slab.
If the slab you’ve chosen hasn’t already been planed / sanded, you are going to need to take the time to get it to your desired smoothness and flatness using an electric sander and some sandpaper.
If the slab you’ve acquired has already been prepared, you can skip this step!
Create a smooth, flat surface by using the electric sander for the majority of the surface area and finishing the smaller, more intricate areas with the sandpaper. We suggest starting with 60 grit sandpaper and increasing to 100, 150, and finishing with 220. Thoroughly wipe-down your surface after sanding.
Step 2: Staining your Slab
Note: Technically speaking, you can finish your slab before you attach the legs, or you can attach the legs and then finish the slab, the choice is ultimately yours. However, we would suggest finishing the entire slab, both top and bottom, and then attaching the hairpin legs. This way, your entire surface has already been sealed / finished and you don’t have to try to work around the legs to do so. Again, the choice is yours, so don’t feel obligated to complete these steps in any specific order or in any specific manner. You have complete creative control over this project!
If you’ve decided not to stain, skip straight to finishing your slab.
When staining, you’re able to use a “traditional system,” which involves first applying the stain to the wood and then applying the clear protective finish, or you can choose a “one-step product” that includes a stain and finish all in one product. Follow the directions on the back of the stain you’ve chosen.
Start by applying the stain with long strokes with the grain. You can apply the stain with a rag or brush, but be sure to select the proper brush based on whether or not the stain you’ve chosen is water or oil-based. Oil based products apply easily with a natural bristle brush, while brushes with synthetic bristles are ideal for applying water-based products. Allow the stain to sit on the wood for a few minutes before removing the unabsorbed stain with a dry cloth. The longer the stain is left on the wood, the deeper the color will turn-out to be. Be mindful of this when deciding how long to leave the stain on the slab before wiping off the excess.
Wipe-off any unabsorbed stain before it has time to dry onto the wood, and then wait for the stain to finish drying completely before finishing. It’s important that you wipe off the excess or else it could present an issue down the road.
Step 3: Finishing your Slab
To finish your slab, follow the directions on the back of the product you’ve chosen.
**Caution: Applying the finish before the stain has completely dried may result in chipping, peeling or bleeding of color!
Make sure to thoroughly stir the finish before applying and never shake the can. Shaking will create bubbles in the dried finish. When you’re satisfied with the application of your finish, set aside your slab and allow it to dry completely.
Step 4: Attaching the hairpin legs
Use the drill and screws to attach the hairpin legs to your slab. You will want to be sure that where you choose to attach the legs creates a stable, level surface. Once you’ve finished drilling and attaching the legs, wipe-down the surface of your slab to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 5: Enjoying your brand-new handcrafted live edge slab table
That’s it! You’re done! That wasn’t so hard, was it? All that’s left to do now is to sit back and enjoy your handiwork. This could be the perfect excuse to have a few friends over and show-off your masterpiece.
There are literally endless possibilities of things you can create with live edge slabs. From mantles to bar-tops to dining room tables and everything in-between, there’s no shortage of potential. Now that you’ve created a one-of-a-kind live edge slab table, what are you going to build next?