The Basics of Working with Wood Slabs

Wood slabs are wood in its rawest form; slabs are created with minimal cutting and milling, so the resulting piece is left as natural as possible. Simply stated, slabs are thick cuts of lumber whose dimensions can't easily or accurately be described dimensionally with common terms such as a 2 x 12 or a 4 x 4. Wood slabs can have flat or live edges and slabs can be cut in all shapes, from oval to rectangle and everything in between. Each wood slab is unique, which makes every piece created with a wood slab individual and distinct. Working with wood slabs is a delight, but keep the following 4 tips in mind:

1. Choose the right drying method. As with all wood, slabs must be dry. Slabs can be dried in a kiln or air dried. Kiln drying is considerably faster and tends to even out the tones. For the truest and most vibrant colors, air drying is the best. Stack slabs using spacers with the thickest slabs at the bottom so thinner slabs that will dry more quickly can be accessed from the top.

2.Check for checks. Do a bit of sanding with 120-grit paper before beginning. This will reveal any checks that need to be addressed. Checks are small surface cracks that do not go through the entire piece of wood. These can be filled with epoxy and sanded smooth. 

3.Address the flaws. Part of the great charm of wood slabs is their imperfections; knots, burls, and even cracks and splits all contribute to the distinctive nature of the slab. That said, any flaw that has the potential to undermine the structural integrity of the piece needs to be stabilized. There are a number of ways to repair a crack and keep it from spreading. The simplest method is to fill the crack with glue or epoxy. Another method is to create one or more wooden keys, sometimes called butterfly joints or a bowtie joints, from contrasting wood. Rout mortises and secure the keys in place with epoxy. They look beautiful and will keep even the largest cracks from spreading. When treated carefully, the flaws actually add to the overall beauty of the piece.

4.Let the edge define the piece. When using a wood slab with a live edge, the shape of the edge must define the shape of the final piece. Don't fight it; let it provide the inspiration for the finished product.

Working with wood slabs is an amazing experience! Their distinctive character makes it possible to create pieces that will captivate and impress for years to come.

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Created on Feb 2nd 2018 02:51. Viewed 259 times.

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