I found this tree standing dead about 4 years ago in the woods behind my house. Death by thunderstorm surprised this beauty. The top of the tree, shattered by a sudden lightning strike, lay on the ground next to this beautiful trunk. I cut two 12 foot sections out of what was left standing and dragged them up to the house. The base measured 30 inches and the top 24 inches. I cut standard 5/4 boards out of most of the tree and left these beautiful slabs at the center of the logs.
Hickory slabs from salvaged tree
Router Planing Jig
A customer in Seattle ordered a table from these slabs after viewing them on the website. I cut a 4′ section out of the center of the narrower slab on the left. Then the slab was planed using the router/planing jig method shown below.
I found this planing method on a you-tube video years ago and have used it very effectively on a number of tables. The downside is that it takes much longer than the sawmill planer blade. But, it is very accurate where the sawmill is a bit harder to control. I planed both sides and sent pictures to the client. They picked the side they liked and we’ll dedicate most of the finishing effort there.
Here’s the planed slab. After a week or two drying in the house by the wood stove, I’ll take it back to the shop for final sanding and oil finish to get it ready for shipping north. I’ll post more pics as the process unfolds. It feels great to know this beauty will soon be going to a good home.
Table in afternoon sun
Table drying in living room
Crack control; Using router to remove material for butterfly keys
Using small block plane to remove excess material from butterfly keys
Final Sanding in Progress
After first finishing coat of tung oil
Final coat of Tung Oil Finish
Packaging table for shipment
Table in crate – ready to ship