A few years back I found some very nice live edge slabs and decided I would like to design a bed and a dining room table from them. I had an amish woodworker assemble and finish them for me. He did a great job, as I do not have the skills to have them come out this well or the time. My goal is to take up woodworking in a bigger way, but I don't have the time now. The table is only two pieces of wood. One being a one piece slab of curly boxelder. It has some red flame and is curly with nice figuring. These pictures don't do it justice. The base is a twin stump of white aspen that grew together so there are two trunks coming out of one root base that support the table. The benches are walnut with white aspen legs.
I like it. I'd like that in cherry. There is a local woodcutter up here that puts aside nice trees and slabs them up. I went to buy some crotch burls from him and he had stacks of stickered oak and boxelder. He has a nice little niche side business supplying the local woodworkers.
I would be checking out your guys slabs all the time! That stuff really interests me. I bought a few end tables using crotch burled walnut. No doubt the boxelder is an unusual choice for the top. Messy tree that is not known for woodworking with the exception of flamed boxelder. I like this one for the flames and great curl. Cherry would be great, but hard to find in one piece 44 - 48" wide. Most I have seen are split tops. Hard to find anything one piece with a lot of figuring.
That would be a monster sized cherry! I did have one that was around 20" and that's as big as I have seen them.. Left one huge round behind as I couldn't get it into the truck! Thing weighed a ton!
Right on the size. Two pieces joined with a spline. I would have a few Dutchmen let into the top every foot or so for interest and to help keep it together. I am partial to farmhouse tables too. Rough cut with light sanding.
WOW that pink Boxelder is stunning.Only seen a few small-medium sized pieces here locally over the years...Are a few scattered old large trees in people's yards across town,but rarely see it either on Craigslist free stuff or piled along the curb.They tend to get major damage from heavy snow/ice & summer storms then hollow out with age. I keep watching for some big rounds though...
Yes they are. Choosing how to do the support posts was the hardest part of the project. Debated on round character logs, but decided the squareness of a post design would make for a more solid attachment for the rails and headboard/footboard. Found a bunch of nicely figured 1x 6 walnut boards' glued them up and then carved up the edges to make a more rustic look.
