Table of Contents
How do you make a wood slice table?
- Step 1: prepare the wood slice. Prep the tree slice by giving it a sand to smooth out the surface and remove some of the imperfections.
- Step 2: apply a wood finish.
- Step 3: paint or seal the table legs.
- Step 4: attach the table legs.
How do you finish a wood slice?
Instructions
- Slice branches into 1/2″ thick pieces with the handsaw. Try to keep the slices as even and straight as possible.
- Sand each wood slice down using the heavy grit paper first, then the fine grit to smooth it out. Don’t sand the bark.
- Wipe clean, then coat the front, back, and sides with a clear varnish.
How do you preserve wood slices with bark?
How To Keep Bark On Your Wood Projects

- Cut the stock in the winter when the sap is not flowing. Bacteria or mold growing under the bark will reduce its bond to the wood.
- Store your harvested pieces in a cool, dry place. Or, if you can put it in a kiln right away — that is even better.
Why are my wood slices cracking?
Wood slices, also known as wood cookies, can be used for a variety of projects to add a rustic look and feel. As they dry, the moisture evaporates and the wood shrinks, which causes the slices to crack.
How do you keep sliced wood slices fresh?
All you need to do is grab some denatured alcohol, and allow the slices to soak for 24 hours for each inch of thickness. Take the slices out, and let them dry.
How do you stop wood slices from cracking?

You can keep wood from splitting by applying a sealant or stabilizer, using a salt paste, applying varnish, applying paintable wax, or applying boiled linseed oil. Those methods will help you to keep wood from splitting when nailing, screwing, drying, cutting, and sawing.
Can you varnish wood slices?
Tips and Recommendations. Use glue or primer before painting on the slice; otherwise, your paint will be absorbed into the wood and your image will not be clear. To set your image, simply add a coat of clear varnish and let dry. Another way to set your image is to use wood polish.
What is the best wood for live edge table?
But back to what is the best wood for live edge furniture. The most stable is old-growth Redwood within the USA, but Black walnut, Cherry, and Claro walnut are also great options. Oaks, whether red, white, or black oak, are also options and sycamore and maple.
Do you Poly the bottom of a table?
No, sealing the underside of the table is not necessary. Wood species, dimensions, grain patterns, moisture levels, and how the boards are joined will be the primary factors regarding movement. The only reason to seal the underside is for the aesthetic appeal of a fully finished piece.
Can you leave bark on a live edge table?
It’s highly likely to fall off with time, regardless of the measures taken to preserve it. Slabs will slowly lose their bark, which can lead to weekly cleaning underneath your table or finished piece. It allows you to sand the live edge making it less sharp and giving it a smooth feel to the touch.
Do live edge tables warp?
The thinner the wood is milled means the greater the likelihood that your live edge table will be prone to warping and twisting. A reputable sawmill should be milling live edge slabs no less than three inches in thickness in order to account for the expected changes that occur in the wood during the drying process.