All photos from the article

Many have seen tables with tops made from sawn wood, but few know that such an unusual option can be made independently. We will look at how the work is carried out, what components are used and what nuances should be taken into account in order to get the best result in the end. Of course, the process will require some time, but in the end you will receive a unique product that you are unlikely to see from anyone else.

What you will need to carry out the work

To carry out the work, you need to stock up on everything required:

Tabletop	This can be either a ready-made version from an old table that you decided to transform, or a piece of plywood 12 mm thick or larger in the configuration you need. The product will serve as the basis on which the sections will be strengthened, so the main requirement is a flat plane and sufficient load-bearing capacity to subsequently eliminate sagging and deformation.
End cuts	Their configuration and quantity depends on your preferences; it is important that there are enough elements to fill the entire surface of the tabletop, and they are located close to each other. You can use one type of wood, or combine different options, sometimes this gives a special charm to the finished product.
Epoxy resin with hardener	This composition will be used to fill the space remaining between the cuts, so its quantity can vary within significant limits. It is important to choose a high-quality option; there are many types on the market, so you must not go wrong (low price is an indicator of appropriate quality, so choose options from at least the middle segment).
Wood glue	Needed for fastening saw cuts and tabletops. Its quantity depends on the volume of work. Most often, one package per 200-300 grams is enough.
Grinding tool	During the work process, it will be necessary to grind the surface to obtain a perfectly flat plane. For this purpose, eccentric ones are used; they provide ideal processing quality. Be sure to purchase sanding pads of varying grits (120 grit and up) to achieve the best results.

Advice!
You don’t need to buy a sanding machine specifically for making a table; the easiest and smartest thing to do is rent it for 1-2 days, such services are provided in most cities, just find the nearest company.

Process description

The technology of countertops made from wood cuts differs significantly from conventional options, so we will look at it in great detail. It is important to prepare properly and strictly follow all recommendations, this is the only way to guarantee a positive result.

Preparation

As part of this stage, the following list of activities is carried out:

• When cutting the material into thin sections, it is very important to do everything as accurately and accurately as possible; the smaller the thickness of the fragments, the better they will be saturated with a protective composition and the less epoxy resin you will use. It is best if the cuts are about 1 centimeter thick; if you do not have cutting equipment, or you do not know how to work so accurately, invite a specialist with a chainsaw - he will quickly do everything necessary.

Wood slabs are wide longitudinal cuts of a single section of a trunk. Massive slabs of elm, oak, poplar and other types of wood are used to make original furniture or as independent interior elements. Exposing the entire cross-section allows the grandeur and nobility of the tree to be most fully revealed.

The solid wood reveals all the beauty of the natural texture: the nature of the twist, color transitions, the presence of knots and small defects. When processing slabs, the natural cut lines are preserved: the slab has a free geometry that follows the natural contours of the tree trunk.

But isn’t there a substitution of concepts behind the fashionable term?

Indeed, one might think that the catchy foreign word “slab” is used as a groundless substitute for such established concepts as solid board, solid wood, saw cut, wooden slab and other terms that are more familiar to our ears. But that's not true. The concept of slab does not have a full-fledged analogue in the Russian-language lexicon of woodworkers.

Key features of wooden slab:

• slab thickness varies from 50 to 150 mm;
• The longitudinal cut is made from the lower part of the tree, which is wider and more durable.
• a real slab is, by definition, a solid array that excludes gluing and the presence of other types of connections.
• the edges in the slab are left untreated or their natural relief is artificially emphasized;
• in the slab, the emphasis is on the original lines of the tree: cuts in places where the trunk branches or bends are especially valued; the strict geometry of the array with processed edges is more of a variation on the slab theme.

Slab can be called not only longitudinal cuts of a tree, but also transverse sections of the trunk. Small end cuts of logs that have undergone proper processing are used to make designer tables, lamp bases and other creative things.

How are wood slabs used?

The popularity of slabs is inextricably linked with the triumph of such a design direction as Live edge. In this style, which can be literally translated as “Living Edge” or “Natural Edge,” furniture and other interior attributes are created. Live edge focuses on the authenticity of the wood and minimal interference in its natural forms: they preserve the natural geometry of the cuts, leave areas of bark, and emphasize knots, cracks, and grainy textures.

Slabs of wood are used to create massive tables, kitchen countertops, bar counters, cabinets and small coffee or coffee tables. Thinner cuts are used for the production of chairs, stools, and long benches (valuable species such as teak, etc. are especially in demand in this case). Slabs made of oak, elm, larch and other tree species are used to create window sills, shelving, and headboards.

A separate direction in the production of designer furniture is the combination of slabs with figuredly cut glass or a layer of epoxy resin. Typically, such solutions are used to create tables and countertops. The “flowing river” effect can be enhanced by adding phosphorescent additives to the epoxy resin.

You can see the polyphony of ideas for wooden furniture made from slabs in the photo in our gallery.

DIY wooden slabs

Solid wood furniture is a very expensive pleasure, so the question of how to make a slab yourself is of interest to many who have access to dead wood. In our latitudes, oak, elm, larch, poplar, and less often birch, aspen, and even pine are most often used for these purposes.

We wrote about the intricacies of choosing wood, transporting it, dissolving logs into slabs and proper drying.

To cut a massive trunk (1 m or more in diameter) into planks without using specialized equipment is an almost impossible task. This procedure is carried out directly in the forest on a prefabricated band sawmill using loading equipment.

It is more realistic to prepare a wooden slab with your own hands by choosing oversized logs for cutting. For these purposes, they usually use mini sawmills - devices based on a chainsaw for longitudinal dissection of logs.

Drying and stabilization of the slab

A mandatory preparatory stage for such material is drying. It can occur in natural conditions or using vacuum or infrared exposure in special chambers. The duration of this process depends on many factors: the type of wood, the thickness of the slab, its length and width, and the moisture level of the wood.

During the drying process, drying stresses arise in the wood structure, which in turn provoke cracks, splitting and deformation of the workpiece. In the case of slabs, the probability of warping is significantly higher, because Due to the large thickness, the outer and inner layers dry unevenly, which increases the magnitude of the drying stress. To minimize such risks, the surface of the slab is treated with special stabilizers that protect the wood from cracking and warping during the drying process. To further relieve stress, shallow transverse cuts are made on the back side of the slab. But, again, the need for this is determined by the size of the slab itself and the type of wood.

How to process a slab of wood for countertops and other products?

I use the widest range of finishing materials as a finishing coating for slabs. The choice of optimal coating depends primarily on the specific use of the product. Surfaces subject to intense wear, such as countertops, desks, etc., are coated with polyurethane, work surface oil, or epoxy resin.

If you want to preserve the beauty of the texture as fully as possible and tactilely feel all the advantages of wood, it is better to avoid finishing that creates a wear-resistant film on the surface of the products. In this case, preference is given to a high percentage of solids or.

1. How to choose the shape of the countertop?
2. What will you need for the job?
3. Stages of work
4. Preparation

Dreaming of creating a cozy interior, many people pay attention to tables made from wooden sections. What options are there? Which model should you choose?

When starting to make a wooden table, you need to think about its design. And then start working.

Features of wooden table models: deciding on the support

First, let's choose the shape of the support. The choice of material, finishing, and tools depends on the decision. There are different models.

Model on a single support. The rounded table top looks good.

Models created on two legs must have a jumper. Then the table will be stable and easy to use.

The easiest way is to create a traditional table with four legs. This design is the most reliable.

It is important to understand what scheme should be used to implement emerging ideas. And if the upper part of the table can be hidden with a tablecloth, then the legs turn out to be an important aesthetic component that can reveal deviations from the standards.

How to choose the shape of the countertop?

Slab tables are manufactured with different tabletop shapes. What possible options are there?

The round model looks good in a spacious room created in a rustic or Scandinavian style. Only volumetric space will ensure freedom of movement for people.

An oval model is best suited for the dining area. A large table is created that can accommodate the whole family and guests.

Furniture that has small oval tabletops is a coffee table or a coffee table. For the living room, it is better to choose high quality furniture that is functional and elegant.

There is also a universal table shape - with a rectangular wooden tabletop made of solid wood. If you decide to choose a rectangular model, you can successfully implement any design. You can create a small folding or portable table.

You can make any table from sawn wood. There are no restrictions regarding shape, height and size.

What will you need for the job?

Before creating a table made of natural wood, it is important to ensure that you have all the necessary materials.

You can use an old countertop or a piece of plywood. Only a high-quality tabletop made from end cuts will allow you to count on long-term service.

1. End cuts. Configuration, number of cuts depends only on your plan. There should be enough elements for uniform, tight installation across the entire countertop. You can use different types of wood or the same type of material. If you want to create a beautiful table made of wood, it is best to combine.

Epoxy resin with a hardener is a substance that will fill the space between the cuts. The amount of material used can be any. A high-quality material will make the table beautiful and reliable. Cheap things won't last long.

2. Carpenter's glue is needed for attaching sections of wood and tabletops. The volume of glue is determined by the specifics of the work. You must be sure that each end of the structure is securely attached. One package yields 200–300 g of finished glue.

Electric sanders are used to sand wood surfaces. Additionally, you will need sandpaper with a grit of 120 and higher.

Stages of work

The technology for making countertops from wooden saw cuts is specific.

Preparation

The first task is cutting the material into thin sections. You must do everything accurately and carefully. If you can cut fragments of the required thickness, the impregnation with a protective agent will turn out to be of high quality. And you can save epoxy resin. The thickness of the cuts should be 1 cm. If you do not have special equipment, contact a professional who can correctly cut the recommended thickness of the material with a chainsaw or circular saw. Dry blanks are used for slicing. If the end cuts are wet, the slab needs to be dried.

The next stage is preparing the base. It is best to avoid using chipboard, as the material may become deformed or fall apart when humidity levels change. Use sections of natural wood or thick plywood. Moisture resistance is important.

When purchasing material, you can order it to be cut according to the calculated dimensions. Craftsmen can correctly cut the material for a table of the required dimensions.

Description of the main part of the work

How to make a table using natural wood slices yourself?

The slab must be processed correctly. Sand and remove bark. The material should become smooth along the end edge. The first stage is preparing a blank for the tabletop, then arranging the cuts and making a quality product will not be a difficult task.

Now you can fix the elements with wood glue. Lubricate each cut and then press it flush against the base. Follow the adhesive manufacturer's recommendations and set the structure aside until the adhesive has completely dried.

Now we need to make the edges along the edge of the table. For rectangular tables use plywood or wooden slats, for semicircular tables use flexible sheets. Fastening can be carried out in any convenient way, therefore the use of nails or self-tapping screws is permitted.

Then the epoxy resin is prepared. To obtain the desired shade, use fillers. To create a coffee color, 10% soot and bronze powder are used, for white - classic chalk, for gray - cement, for black - soot. You can buy ready-made dyes.

You need to fill all the voids with epoxy resin, then wait until the product dries completely.

Now you can sand the entire surface. To do this, you will have to remove the thinnest top layer using an emery wheel. You must create a tabletop that has a distinct saw-cut pattern.

The last stage involves applying varnish. The best material is polyurethane. Durable and abrasion resistant.

A table using slab will last a long time. A creative approach, ingenuity, a little experience working with wood - and you can count on a good result.

Basically these will be coffee tables, original, different from the ones we are used to. There will even be wood and bark in the selection, look!

It must be said that furniture design has changed recently. It would seem that what new can be invented here? But no, it’s possible. The pieces of furniture are the same, but they look different.

The trend can be called “back to nature”. How is it shown? Untreated wood is increasingly common, natural bark, tree roots, and cracked saw cuts are used. We are tired of artificiality, the cold of glass and concrete of megacities, we want naturalness, naturalness, wildlife, the warmth of wood.

Root coffee tables

In my house there is no such thing as a coffee table; for me it is an absolutely unnecessary attribute. It stands in the middle, next to the sofa, makes it difficult to walk through, it is inconvenient to eat behind it due to its low height, unless you put a book or a glass or a glass. It takes up space and accumulates dust on its surface.

But in many homes it is an integral part of home furniture. So I’ll tell you about them. Tree roots often have a unique, bizarre shape; tables are made from them. For example, like this.

Of course, it should be noted that it is more difficult to process the roots due to their complex structure and bending, but the result is worth it.

If in the tables we are used to, everything should be smooth and neat, then here everything is exactly the opposite. The more ornate the roots, the more interesting the wood cut and the pattern of annual rings, the better.

There are some more examples of their tree root tables in another post. I was especially struck by one, a huge one, which served for cups and tea for breakfast at the hotel. It was something amazing, a continuous interweaving of roots.

Even such a round conglomerate of roots or solid wood can be turned into a table; a round glass tabletop is installed on it - the work of art is ready.

Tables made from saw cuts with bark and cracks

A very unusual option with a glass tabletop. The basis is saw cuts of small diameter. It is noteworthy that a lot of things can fit inside the table under the glass to decorate the appearance.

A larger fragment of the last photo showing how the saw cuts are laid:

Table made of saw-cut logs at the base (fragment)

I also liked the tables of different sizes and diameters made from wide cuts. As you can see, cracks are not a hindrance, they only add a special charm. Moreover, perhaps the rough wooden surface will not be used; round glass lies on top. The bark is left untouched on the saw cuts, this is a design element, this is a special charm.

Please note that in the photo below the bark is used not only in tables, but also in the decor of other furniture. Wood slices are now widely used for wall decoration - in their natural form or in wallpaper.

The gray glass top matches the sofa, a close tone is obtained from the fusion of gray and the color of natural wood on the saw cut.

The crack is only decorative and not a flaw. The tabletop simply lies on a piece of wood, on several round silicone things.

The bark is left untouched on the cuts; this is a design element, and this has its own special charm. To avoid anything clinging to it, the diameter of the glass is made much larger, which, however, does not spoil the picture at all, but makes it more attractive.

The legs are metal, cross-shaped.

Again the bark, as well as cracks. Here they are not ignored, on the contrary, emphasis is placed on them. They seem to be tightened so that the wood does not crack anymore. :)

The top is perfectly smooth, polished, varnished.

This table (which can hardly be called a dining table) struck me more than others. I have never seen anything like this before. An uplifted tree trunk, cut almost in half lengthwise. The bark, the cracks - everything is there, only the roots are missing.

Original table made from half a trunk with bark

Original, impressive - yes. But I personally wouldn’t use this... I wouldn’t. The entire structure takes up too much space; the usable area is not that large. But those who have a large area can afford it.

A couple more tables, not entirely related to the topic, but nevertheless worth a look. It’s difficult to say how and what the first one is made of. Texture and color attract attention. Glass rectangular plate on top. It seems that someone decided to make a table, but there were no suitable materials at hand, everything that was available was used for the table.

The latter looks unusual due to its eye-catching decor - a block of wood with a plant and metal parts.