Live edge Black Walnut dining table
This was my first commission project for a client. The table top is made from locally cut and air dried black walnut. Lots of figure and burl made for some challenging milling and finishing but turned out beautifully. Rough sawn wood was ripped down to width with track saw. I had to build a router sled which I used fine woodworking article design from Nick Offerman. After building sled I set up in my shop and flattened one side of each piece of walnut. Each piece was 10’ long and ranged from 9-16” wide and 8/4” thick to start. I then surfaced planed each piece flat and jointed edges for glue up. Dominos used for alignment and glued up followed by sanding and some hand planing bottom and top starting at 80 grit up to 400. I then water popped surface and sanded 400 again and followed by hand sand of 600. The finish I choose was Odies oil which was applied per instructions and buffed off. The client wanted a bit more sheen to top so I added a coat of Odies wood butter and buffed out for more sheen. Edges of table were eased with a 1/8 chamfer bit using hand held router. I choose the legs from a vendor on Etsy who fabricated them and finished with a gold finish. Upon receipt of legs I assembled and placed on bottom to align bolt holes. I used threaded inserts and 1/4-20 button head bolts to secure base. To maintain stability of top I added 4 c-channel bars space across bottom. I built a jig to router in slots to receive channel and recessed center to get channel flush with cut face. Threaded inserts were drilled and inserted and CA glue used to secure. Table top weighed in at 170 lbs and table was delivered then legs installed. Table was flipped up and clients cat came for final inspection.

I really need a truck. My wife’s outback does the job again.

Tried flattening a bit with hand held planer.


Layout of pieces

Router sled build needed to flatten slabs

Decided to build this to flatten slabs

Sled set up in shop

Looks good

Made a large mess

First slab on the sled

Made sled set up from scrap 3/8 bead board. You’ve got to have style on jugs too

White side bit is awesome

Ready and loaded

Quick pass and smooth

Flattened slab now all the way out of basement to garage🤨

20” grizzly planer is in garage due to weight so up and down Bilco steps to plane

Large pile of nicely made cuttings

Finished to thickness

Ripped one piece to use as outside live edges


Final layout check

Figure and burp on these made for fun sanding.

Ripped a few pieces on table saw to get to final table width


Ohhhh domino

This tool is awesome. Thankful I found a deal for used.

Glue up done in multiple phases due to weight of pieces mainly


Final glue up with Cawls made on jointer


Yes I can stand on your table

Ready to cut to length

All bark inclusions and knots filled with total boat epoxy dyed with system three black dye. Smaller defects filled with black CA glue

I bought C-channel 1/2” x1-1/2” I drilled holes and cut to slots for wood movement with jig saw

Jig saw finished holes to slots to allow wood expansion

Painted black for niceness 😁

Made jig and routed slots for channel

Removed middle material To recess and flush c channel to surface

Ready for install after finish

Edges ease with 1/8 chamfer

Live edge sanded smooth

Bottom of table

Odies oil finish used as well as a coat of butter for sheen

Top oooh lala

Legs finally arrived

Very nice construction and clean welds

Legs placement for threaded inserts install


Delivered to client on a very hot day

Oscar approves

Table was completed before kitchen remodel due to contractor delay from Covid 19

Legs and top match beautifully

Client was super happy 🔥🔥🔥