"Live Edge" Counter top

[Keith Larrett]

My current project called for a live edge counter top. The project is being built from alder, and I was having difficulty sourcing an alder live edge slab here in Florida. I contacted Michael Mezalick at Carved Details (https://carveddetails.com/) and asked about a 3D model so I could carve one. In short order he sent me a file and I cut it yesterday. I was very pleased with how it turned out and also enjoyed working with Michael. He was very gracious with his expertise, even giving me help and advice with some of the minor midifications I needed to make to the file.

I decided a while back, that even though I have Aspire, I really didn't see myself ever having the time to become proficient at modelling. I'm at a point where I can do some basic manipulations to models to adapt them to my purposes. After that, it's really great to be able to reach out to someone like Michael and take advantage of his talents.

I'll add some more pictures when I've completed the project, for now here are some pictures of the "live edge" countertop. I cut a test piece from some foam first. The counter top started as a 45"x18"x1 3/4" blank that I glued up from 8/4 alder. I surfaced the underside of the blank first on the CNC. I cut a couple biscuit slots in the ends of the blank to use as a hold down. It worked great.

[mezalick]

Nice work Keith.........
Michael

[myxpykalix]

So what will you do to that edge to show a different color? Usually a live edge is dark? Looks good...

[scottp55]

I consulted my live edge expert...he says not always, and rarely on Poplar(Alder may be similar?) Jack. :)
If the bark is loose then often it comes off clean. If a little dark cambrium is still on, it wears off quick, so you might as well take it off....if dark from weathering before it's cut, then you get the dark.
NICE job Michael and Keith:)

[Burkhardt]

That is a great idea and looks quite realistic. I still need to do something with the pretty spalted Myrtlewood slab that I had questions about a couple of weeks ago and that has only one real live edge. But with this method I could make the other straight cut edge "live" as well. I think that will move up in the project queue...

[myxpykalix]

Scott........"Nice Beaver"...

[Keith Larrett]

Nice work Keith.........
Michael

Thanks again Michael.


So what will you do to that edge to show a different color? Usually a live edge is dark? Looks good...

It will be stained to match the rest of the piece. It's a pretty dark stain.

[Tim Lucas]

What a awesome idea!!

Nice work Keith!

Tim

[Brian Harnett]

Looks great, I have done similar using the bandsaw and an angle grinder with an aggressive sanding disk for shaping.

[dmidkiff]

Good work for both of you. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[James M]

Scott,

Just to be clear. If you have the time...a beaver could...give you the live edge you seek? LOL

J

BTW, that's a real nice edge to decorate that counter top. Bravo Keith and Michael.

[joe]

Keith,

I'm always enjoying your posts. You are one talented fellow.

The photo's are of my work table. Sorry about the color, I just snapped them under existing light.

My wood mill tole me the bark will stay on longer if the wood is cut during growth period. These are three years old and it seems to be holding well. I believe this Walnut. The Live edge is glued to poplar, then sandblasted redwood. The top is nothing more than a sheet of HDF with no finish.

I wanted a rough timber look. The legs are free cast a-ways from Cedar.

Joe


http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29830&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29831&stc=1

[Keith Larrett]

Looks great, I have done similar using the bandsaw and an angle grinder with an aggressive sanding disk for shaping.

Brian, I thought about doing something like that, but had my doubts about whether I could pull it off. With your carving talents it would probalby be a lot quicker to form the live edge with a grinder than on the CNC.


The photo's are of my work table. Sorry about the color, I just snapped them under existing light.

My wood mill tole me the bark will stay on longer if the wood is cut during growth period. These are three years old and it seems to be holding well. I believe this Walnut. The Live edge is glued to poplar, then sandblasted redwood. The top is nothing more than a sheet of HDF with no finish.

I wanted a rough timber look. The legs are free cast a-ways from Cedar.



Joe, I'm told when turning natural edge bowls that the chance of the bark staying on depends a lot on when the tree was cut down. Well, that and the liberal application of CA glue. :D If the tree is cut down in the winter then there is a far better chance of the bark staying on.

[Brian Harnett]

Bark is a lot tighter in the winter as well as less sap content, trees I get in the spring the bark will slip right off on most types, The winter cut I have to really work at them to get it off winter cut wood has less sap and moisture, tends not to mold as much if air drying.

[joe]

I'm in full agreement with Brian and Keith about the time to harvest lumber in order to keep the bark.


From contributor A:
Basswood and sassafras are two of the best and you can get ERC and walnut to hold it if cut in the fall and winter time. Sometimes logs just hold it and other times let them go. Hickory will shed it no matter what as will ash most of the time. I have had a few cotton woods hold but it was thin bark for cotton wood. http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base_images/bah/what_tree_species_will_hold_their_bark_01.jpg


From contributor H:
Any wood will keep its bark on but don't use spring cut logs! The best success is to have the tree go from stump to kiln and within days the bark will stick at that point. We make bark trim and mantles with great results. If you have a piece that feels loose use a brad nailer to hold the bark on you can't see the small nail holes.

[Keith Larrett]

Just to follow up. I delivered and installed the project today. It is a shoe closet. The pictures show the unit assembled and waiting for delivery in my workshop and then installed. The piece was installed into a small alcove by the entrance to the condo.

[dmidkiff]

Very Nice!!!