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Saved from Salvage

Saved from Salvage

Home » From the Blog » HOW TO MAKE A LIVE EDGE WOOD TABLE FROM SLABS

HOW TO MAKE A LIVE EDGE WOOD TABLE FROM SLABS

by Regina 13 Comments

Wondering how to make your own live edge console table? I’m sharing how to make a DIY BLACK WALNUT TABLE FROM WOOD SLABS.

PICTURE OF REGINA, OWNER AND BLOGGER AT SAVED FROM SALVAGE

Hi, I’m Regina, welcome to Saved From Salvage. I am so glad you are here. I enjoy sharing DIY projects, furniture flips, and ways to make your home cozy and inviting.

Table of Contents

  • CAN YOU MAKE YOUR OWN LIVE EDGE TABLES
  • SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE A TABLE
  • MAKING YOUR LIVE EDGE TABLE FROM BLACK WALNUT
  • STEPS TO MAKE YOUR TABLE
  • FINISHING YOUR CONSOLE TABLE
  • SHOP THIS POST
    • More Like This

CAN YOU MAKE YOUR OWN LIVE EDGE TABLES

I would have never thought I could make a live edge table, the kind I see in custom woodworking shops.

I am going to show you that you too can make your own from just one piece of wood.  

When I saw the price ranges for these in shops, I knew there had to be a better way.  

In stores, a popular choice is black walnut and that is what our trees were.

my live edge table finished in the grass
SIMPLE LIVE EDGE TABLE FROM SLAB

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE A TABLE

  • Live Edge Wood Slabs
  • Palm Sander
  • Belt Sander
  • Hairpin Legs 
  • Router
  • Sand Paper
  • Soft Cloth
  • Walrus Oil
A SHOT OF THE TABLE

MAKING YOUR LIVE EDGE TABLE FROM BLACK WALNUT

There are many wood types that can be used to make live-edge tables.   White Oak, Red Oak and Redwood Slabs are just a few of the types of wood.  

All of these have unique characteristics that make them beautiful and unique. 

Black walnut is a hardwood.

The wood for my table came from a downed tree in our yard.  It is black walnut.  We hired someone to come take it down.

As the company that cut the tree was gathering the wood to haul off, I asked that they leave a few pieces.  

TWO LARGE BLACK WALNUT LOGS
THE LOGS THEY LEFT

At that time I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but it was beautiful and I didn’t want to waste it.

Surprising to hear that I’m sure.

Fast forward a few months and I found someone who would cut the wood into the planks as you see them now.  We hauled the wood to his shop and watched him do his magic and came home with 18 live edge slabs.

Next it spent almost 2 years in the shed stacked and separated to dry. 

BLACK WALNUT SLABS DRYING IN THE SHED

I was worried it was going to be so much hard work, but it wasn’t. I will share with you the easy steps I took to make the sofa table. 

Prior to the table, we made a few cutting/serving boards, but this was the first “table” project.

OUR FIRST CUTTING BOARD FROM A BLACK WALNUT SLAB
ONE OF OUR CUTTING/ SERVING BOARDS

I am so glad I tackled this project. I have seen slabs in reuse warehouses too, so you don’t have to have your own tree.

STEPS TO MAKE YOUR TABLE

STEP ONE

Pick out your wood and trim the ends so you have a straight edge. I cut mine to 5 feet, perfect for behind my sofa.

MEASURING THE LENGTH OF MY TABLE
READY TO CUT THE BOARD

STEP TWO

Next you will want to attach your legs.

A PICTURE OF THE HAIRPIN LEGS
THE HAIRPIN LEGS

I had ordered 28 inch hairpin legs from Amazon.

THE SCREWS I USED TO ATTACH THE LEGS

I love to mix a rustic and modern look so I chose these hairpin legs for my table.  

ADDED THE LEGS

Carmine suggested we inset the legs, so instead of just screwing them into the bottom, we used a router to cut out the shape the top of the leg was flush with the wood.

MAKING SPACE FOR THE LEGS WITH THE ROUTER
FINISHED THE INSET FOR ONE LEG

At first I wasn’t really on board with this because I wanted to be done quickly but I have to say that it looks so much better doing it this way.

USING THE ROUTER ON MY LIVE EDGE TABLE
THE ROUTER

I hadn’t used a router before but it was truly easy to use. You can see the videos below to see how it went.

STEP THREE

The entire process took about 1 day.  I began with an 80 grit sandpaper on my palm sander and and continued sanding until I was ready for 120 grit sandpaper.

SANDING
AND MORE SANDING

After the sanding was complete and it was super smooth, I used a trick I learned when we made the charcuterie boards.

I sprayed it with water which makes the fibers rise up again and then I began sanding again. I repeated this two times.

THE ROUGH START
SEE THE SMOOTH DIFFERENCE

I continued to sand and then finished with a 200 grit sand paper. Having put the legs on the table first made the table a perfect height to stand and sand.

IT COULD MAKE A BONUS TABLE WHEN NEEDED

FINISHING YOUR CONSOLE TABLE

I will share the specific needs of caring for your table.  I have used two different types of oils to keep my table looking great and in good shape.  

The final step was to condition the wood. I like something called Walrus Oil. I added the Walrus Oil to the table then wiped back the excess.

IT LOOKS AMAZING WITH THE OIL

After it soaked in, I did it again.

I do this every few months just as I do to my charcuterie boards.

THE PRODUCTS I LOVE

A few more pictures of this very versatile table.

SHOP THIS POST

Thanks so much for stopping by. To see all the details on how we made the charcuterie / serving boards, click here.

Enjoy working with all kinds of wood? You should try these adorable birch wood candle holders, a Terrain dupe.

Stop by the lake to see what’s happening at this week’s LATELY ON THE LAKE.

Until next time,

XO, Regina

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Filed Under: DIY

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Comments

  1. Allyson @ Southern Sunflowers says

    May 18, 2023 at 5:52 PM

    That’s got to be very rewarding that your table was made from a tree in your yard. It turned out great! I’m featuring you tonight at the Home Matters Party. Hope to see you drop by to take a look. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Cindy Rust says

    May 19, 2023 at 8:45 PM

    This table is gorgeous Regina! I’m sharing this in my weekly round-up this weekend! My readers will love it ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Regina says

      May 23, 2023 at 7:52 PM

      Cindy – You are so sweet! Thanks so much ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    May 21, 2023 at 7:07 AM

    This is just stunning. Thank you for sharing with us at Handmade Monday, this will be a feature this coming week ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Regina says

      May 23, 2023 at 7:52 PM

      Julie – Thanks so much!

      Reply
  4. Grandma's House DIY says

    May 22, 2023 at 11:13 AM

    I’m featuring you when the next To Grandma’s house we go Wednesday link party starts – thanks for sharing with us!

    Reply
  5. Becky ~ The Vixens Den says

    May 22, 2023 at 8:07 PM

    Wow, what patience you have! The end result is absolutely gorgeous. I love that you included the video on using the router to create indentations for the legs. I’m so excited to feature your beautiful table at our Wednesday Home Wednesday party this week! Thank you for sharing with us!

    Reply
  6. Cara says

    May 23, 2023 at 12:14 PM

    Wow, I had no idea it took that long to dry wood to create this lovely table. I am like you and impatient, but your table looks lovely. I love it when you can reuse items, and trees are a great way to upcycle.

    Reply
    • Regina says

      May 23, 2023 at 7:52 PM

      Cara – Ha ha I know. I had to forget about it which was hard to do.

      Reply
  7. Carol says

    May 25, 2023 at 3:02 PM

    What a stunningly beautiful table. You are so talented! Featuring when my party opens.

    Reply

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