How to Flatten a Wood Slab on your Workbench with a Router
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- čas přidán 21. 03. 2016
- I go through all the steps of how I flatten a slab right on my workbench using a router. I have also written a article about this with all the details on my blog: www.jack-bench.com/blog/
I am going to make a coffee table out of a thick walnut slab. The first thing I need to do is to flatten the slab. In this video I show how I made the railing and the router sled that I used. I also show how I installed a great dust collection port on the back of the sled.
I am going to make a carved textured base for the coffee table. What I am really excited about is the finish because I plan to add a bronze finish to the texture. I have been experimenting with real bronze powder and various different paints. I am going to fill the crack in the slab with some kind of a bronze, too!
I will make a series of CZcams videos about this build including carving the base and developing the bronze finish. I will also need to do some pattern cutting on the bandsaw and I will make a video on that, too.
I already knew most of what I needed for this, but I got the idea to use a climb cut while flattening the slab from and Instagram post by BJMacWoodwork. bjmacwoodwo...
He also has a great CZcams channel called Learning Woodworking / learnwoodwork
Please visit my website:
www.Jack-Bench.com
Adjustable Height Workbench Plans
Also, check out my CZcams channel:
/ jackbench
And please follow me on Google Plus and Facebook
www.google.com/+JackbenchWood...
/ jack-bench-a. . - Jak na to + styl
7 mins is more desirable to watch than 20. You gave me quality content quickly. I love it
Thank you so much!
I've had the chance to use this table a couple of times now. It's fun to whip out in front of people:) I can see what people are talking about when they say the legs are delicate, but they're design to support a "mostly" vertical load, not be torqued from the side or pushed back into place. If you just let the table open or close on it's own and don't force anything, it works great czcams.com/users/postUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh Once it's set up, it's pretty solid. My only gripe would probably be related to the clamps provided. They're not the highest quality. They do the job, so no big deal, but they could be better. All in all, pretty cool gadget.
Thank you Jack putting the time in to show us this. Great workshop by the way!
Thanks man! I'm glad you liked it.
THANK YOU for the editing. No one needs to see the entire process of drilling holes or setting up clamps. Loved this video.
Thanks Nick! I'm glad you liked the video!
Great video Charlie! That's a huge piece of wood! I'm so jealous. Looking forward to seeing the next stages of the table.
+AdventuresInDIY Thanks Chris!
I thank you for your time in showing us all just how easy it is to build a router sled, I'm looking forward to making one of my own
Glad it was helpful!
Wow. I am in awe of your workbench and your shop in general. Great work with the slab. Your jig is simpler and better than so many others., I love it. Finally, you should really use the push stick you had sitting right next to you while you were using the table saw. :)
Thanks Dan! And, um, point taken about the push sticks. :)
When I did something similar, I had to add a limit stop on each end of the bridge to keep from dropping off side rails and gouging into plane surface. But the process you show worked great. Thanks for posting.
+Tom Pritchard Thanks Tom, I made the sled long enough that it couldn't slide off, but just barely. I would feel better about it if I had made it a few inches longer.
Just watched your video. I have a small walnut log (about14 inches in diameter and 5 foot long) and want to cut some pieces about 1 in thick to make some lazy susans for our home and also as gifts. Your video gave me the information I needed to flatten the slabs. Great job and great video.
Thanks Steve!
I've never seen your videos before, so I don't know if the editing is better, but I liked it the way it is now. Thankyou for clear concise instruction, that's a beautiful piece of wood, cant wait to get to the finished product.
Thanks for the kind words and thanks for subscribing, too! I have 3 other videos on that table build: Constructing the base czcams.com/video/rTVz5xjU2CM/video.html , Carving the base: czcams.com/video/oHVhVQWMS4Q/video.html , and inlaying stars in the top czcams.com/video/srq_ldMaHuM/video.html
I also plan to do an overview video on the table, but that is not ready yet.
Charlie,
Really nice detail, and clarity in the video. speeding up the action is a plus. Do more!
+Thomas Tieffenbacher Thanks Tom!
Good video and great idea on the dust collection for the jig, Charlie.
+Steve Collins Thanks Steve! The dust collection worked pretty well. One improvement might be to put a skirt around the router like they do on a CNC.
I love the high speed edits .... thank you
Thanks Kevin!
Great video Charlie - love the editing - useful to see overall progress happen
Thanks Ryan!
Nice job Mate it all turned out Great. Good Method. Thanks for sharing
Great stuff and workshop looks like my dream-world to escape to.
I don't have a router so I generally tend to flatten a cookie with a chainsaw and a bit of eyeballing.
Always a pleasure to see another woodpecker going about his business!
Thanks Harold!
looking forward to seeing this project getting finished! congrats on that sweet piece of wood!
+Jubinsky Woodworks Thanks!!
Nice video. I liked the dramatic cut off dropping piece off of the chop saw👍😁
Thanks Joel, I'm glad you liked that!!
You have big wood. I will follow the project. Nice one! I like how you highlighted the falling offcuts. Made me smile.
+Willem Kossen Thanks Willem! I kind of liked that part myself.
Wow, that's a nice chunk of tree you have there. Enjoyed the video. Will be cool to see the finished slab.
+Steve Carmichael Thanks Steve! The slab is so dry that it is surprisingly light considering how big it is.
I don't know if this technique is known. For me, this is something new to me, and if you are the one who came up with it, then you are an epic genius. subbed
I am not the first to use this technique, but thank you so much for the nice comment!
Great video, I liked the pace. Looking forward to the rest of the project.
+Andrew Klein Thanks Andy, I am glad you liked it!
I really enjoyed the sped up editing. Thanks for the share!
Thanks! I am glad you liked it!
Nicely done. I appreciate the good editing that doesn't waste anyone's time!
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I really thought the time laps was fun, funny and still shows everything...keep it up!!
Thanks Dave! I really appreciate the feedback.
Love the editing. The boring stuff that has to be done goes really fast.
Thanks Butch! I'm glad you liked it.
Very good method
, I liked it and I learn it.tank you so much.and the video was good and with complete detail.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video!
now that is a chunk of walnut..great job charlie
+Moy perez woodshop Thanks Moy!
The editing was really good Jack. I'm looking forward to the next steps, especially your treatment for the crack. Thanks!
Urrrrr.... Not Jack, Charlie!! LOL. sorry.
+Ron Martina I am planning to fill it with epoxy and use bronze powder to give it a real bronze finish at the surface.
+Jack Bench Woodworking Honest mistake! :)
Awesome! Thanks for the tutorial.
Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!
the editing style is appreciated
Thanks man!
Looks good man. I am excited to try this. I would not change a thing on the video editing, great job.
Thanks Jeremy! I really appreciate the feedback.
great video thanks. like the dust collector jig set up.
Thanks! I have an idea on how to improve the dust collection. Next time I will put a "skirt" around the jig reduce the amount of dust that escapes from underneath.
Great idea! Reminds me of an Alaskan saw mill.
Thanks Nunya! Glad you liked it.
Thanks for sharing this is perfect I'm going to do the same looks great
Thanks, I'm glad that you liked it!
Nice! Just today someone asked me to do a coffee table from a slab. It will be interesting for me to see what you will use for the legs...
+Михаил Макаревич I decided to make a sculpted base. It will look "sort of" like a tree trunk.
Love the editing.
Wow! Thank You!
Great video. Loved the fast forward.
Thanks!!
Really great work 👍👍👍
Thanks!!
i really enjoyed the video charlie, your editing is spot on, i enjoyed all of it, i love walnut and have used it my whole woodworking career, thank you for your work, there is always something to learn...keep up the good work, if you ever in alabama, i would love for you to come by, see my place and if you have room i would love to share my wood reserves...
+Robert Putman Wow, what a great offer! Robert if I am ever your way then I would love to stop by.
Great video! That's a really good idea. I think I might try that.
+The Russian Woodworker Let me know how it goes!
Definitely liked the style of this video
Thank you so much!
Great video. Loved the pace. I think a beginner would have a hard time picking up on a lot of the little tricks you used setting things up. But this doesn't seem like the type of thing a beginner would be taking on, so it's all good. Didn't have to sit through a long dragged out performance to get some ideas on something I've been thinking about.
Thanks David, I am glad you liked it!
Nice video I wish I had all these kick ass tools!
Thanks, it took me a long time to build up to this!
Genial, yo igual tengo una madera de 1.57 mts y estoy haciendo el mismo trabajo, saludos desde Lebu Chile
Great video. Thanks for posting.
Thanks David!
Great video, and loved the bench up n down lol quality man
Thanks Dan! I have plans for the bench on my website if you are interested: www.jack-bench.com
great video and the editing was great. keep up the good work.
Thanks for the nice feedback, I really appreciate it!
fast and sweet...excellent details on website.
Thanks and I'm glad you liked the website, too!
Thats a biiiiig cookie! Nice video, looking forward to seeing the finished table!!!
+TabLeft Workshop Thanks Ray!!
I have a bunch of slabs drying now. I'm gonna need this.
Time lapse segments are really helpful to include lengthy processes that you might otherwise skip.
Appreciate your enthusiasm yet sticking to the processes.
Thanks! I really appreciate the feedback.
Editing was great!
+Joe Major Thanks Joe!
I love how your off cuts just fall about everywhere and how you keep reaching over your unguarded table saw. Health and Safety can eat it!
Great job!!
Thanks!
Very nice set up. I can only add that stoppers underneath the ends of the sled would eliminate the risk of the router diving into the cookie in an unfortunate moment of inattention.
Good point. In this case, the router acted as its own stop. The sled was long enough that the router would hit the side rails before the sled could fall down.
I surface plane slabs on a regular basis. My table is quite fancy but its like the 3rd version.
I gotta say though.
A. I totally appreciate your effort.
But B. It was a mistake to make this based on this slab.
You should have made it capable of at least a 3'x8' piece.
My table personally can handle 4'x16' but i never do slabs that big.
However. Once you want to make a 3x6 slab table you will have to redo your whole set up basically.
Like I said...I surface plane slabs regularly and if you need ANY tips or have any questions about it feel free to ask me.
Its an amazing skill to have once you learn all the little tricks.
You can even assemble table tops from multiple boards and then just plane it down as a whole piece.
So much easier and more consistant that planing and joining the boards and then being super careful with the glue up.
One tip I'll give you right off the bat (doesn't apply to cookie slabs)...is always make passes with the grain...at least the final passes.
You will be shocked how smooth the slab ends up.
Don't even have to belt sand usually.
Anyways. Take care and best wishes.
Thanks!
Thanks for the tips!
I got a 2 1/2" straight bottom cleaning bit for this purpose by magnate it was around $50. According to the manufacture it is safe in a dewalt 3hp as well as their 2 1/4hp as long as your rpms are not greater than 16krpm.
Wow! That's a BIG router bit.
Bloody brilliant!
Thank You!
wow!thats one big walnut cookie!- if it was my cookie I would leave the end-grain as is without any stain or die fill the holes or cracks whatever have you and then go to the top with like three layers of a clear epoxy I think that would look cool being able to see the grains through the epoxy that's just my opinion though can't wait to see what you do with it I thought the editing was fine I liked it personally it was informative but not too long good stuff. Like I said can't wait to see what you do with it
+Joe basementwoodworking Thanks Joe, I like the way you think!
Awesome video
Peter Smith Thanks Peter!
Incredible slab! Great use of the sled and thanks for the sanding tips. (also please consider using a stick or something for pushing pieces past the table saw. I know you are very experienced but for us new guys it seemed a little risky).
+Rodrigo Meza Hi Rodrigo, I will be careful, but I think the camera angle made it look like I was closer to the blade than I really was. Thanks so much for the comment!
Can´t wait to see how the table turns out! Thanks again!
Nice slab! I love using router sleds. Subbed!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!
simple and great!!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!
I have two smaller versions of walnut biscuits that I want to make into tables for the back deck. Your video was the first Ive seen working with end cut grain. I tried using a electric hand planer and even the old fashioned wooden block planer. Ive been scratching my head on how to get these tables flat. Thank you for your video! I might have missed it, but maybe you could talk about how you set the height for your rails and router and how much material you actually took off with each pass? Thanks again for a great vid. Hope to make one of my own soon
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! I set the height of the rails a bit higher than the wood was at its thickest point. I think I removed about 1/16" on each pass and slightly less on the final pass.
@@JackbenchWoodworking Thank You!
Nice video...liked your version of the jig ...others you move the router back and forth in a box..yours looks easier on the back!!
Thanks John! I think this style is better for larger slabs. I might use the other style to flatten something less than 16" wide.
This version of the jig - with a fixed router and a movable jig - is even more superior on narrower stock. The only advantage of having a movable router in a movable jig is that the jig can be shorter. That's much less important if the stock is narrower.
John McVaugh agreed! Also easier to make the router jig as its fixed, as opposed to running up and down routed groove.
Very good video bro thanks :)
Thanks Stan!!
thanks for sharing!!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
1st time I see U Jack......your shop it's great........I have in my shop a " Cookie " piece of tree ..just like the one U have here in this Video..... I will do my best & thnks for your time Defineatly…....I click to Subscribe & Ck your Projects !.....THNANKS.........Andres..(NY)
Thanks Andres!
Nice job.
Thank you! Cheers!
👍 🎉 great job.
Thank You!!
Amigo, excelente video, no te hubiera sido más fácil hacerle una ranura del grosor de la fresa a lo largo de tabla deslizadora y únicamente deslizar el router, sin tener que deslizar router y su tabla deslizadora?????
Thanks Pablo, I would have done it differently if I was working with a smaller piece of wood. Since this was fairly wide, I thought it might be easier to reach across by moving the entire sled/table. I'm sure it would have worked the other way, too.
Great video. What is the bit that you are using in the router, I've been using a just a straight dado bit, yours looks a lot bigger.
Thanks! I might have used a straight bit in this video, but I prefer to use a planer bit like this one: www.amazon.com/CMT-852-504-11-Planer-2-Inch-Diameter/dp/B000P4O610
I wrote a blog article about this on my website:
www.jack-bench.com/flattening-a-walnut-slab-on-my-workbench-with-a-router/
I also wrote an article on this method for the Woodworkers Guild of America www.wwgoa.com/video/flattening-large-wood-slabs-with-a-router/
Great video. Very informative.
Just wondering if, you are able to make a single jig that can be used for multiple size diameters. Cuz, having space to store so many jigs and templates, takes a lot of space.
kevin haik Yes, absolutely. The jig that I built in the video will flatten anything that will fit on my bench. Up to 30" wide and 60" long. Or any size board that is smaller than that.
Very cool man :)
thank you
Thanks Walter, I'm glad you liked the video!
Nice job, I was wondering how long you let your slab of walnut dry before working it. I have a slab of maple that has been cut about 12 months. Thanks for all the info. Love your workbench BTW, being able to adjust the height is a great feature.
HI, sorry it took me a while to respond to your comment. A friend of mine got that slab at a garage sale. It had been sitting in someone's basement for years. The "rule of thumb" for air dried lumber is 1 year for each inch of thickness. It would be best to get a moisture meter and monitor the moisture content of your slab. Glad you like the bench! Charlie
Nice video Jack, I will use that technique if I need to plane an unusual shaped surface. One note I have become nervous watching table saw videos. From my viewpoint it looked like your hand was real close to the blade and you were also wearing a sweatshirt that could get caught in the blade. Just be careful I hate to see you get hurt. Good job overall !!!
Hi Daniel, I am glad you liked the video. My hands weren't quite as close as it appeared, but you have some very good points. Especially the one about wearing long sleeved shirts! Thanks!
Very interesting video. I Like your workbench. Just want to know what type of router bit you using ?
Something like this should be good:
www.amazon.com/FivePears-Spoilboard-Surfacing-Diameter-Flattening/dp/B0B1WTP5M2/ref=sr_1_39?crid=302YKD6PNR7RR&keywords=slab%2Bflattening%2Brouter%2Bbit%2B1-1%2F2%22%2Bdiameter&qid=1675209192&sprefix=slab%2Bflattening%2Brouter%2Bbit%2B1-1%2F2%2Bdiameter%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-39&th=1
Tell us how to slow down the drying process of wood discs. I just want to prevent the cracking, like on your disc. 2- How does hemp or any other oil help raw wood? I have seen many videos on hemp oil.
HI Syed, wood discs, or cookies as they are sometimes called, are very prone to cracking. I can't speak specifically to discs, but I do know of a method that helps wood to maintain it's shape while drying. It may sound strange, but some people boil fresh cut wood. The theory is that boiling will burst the cells that hold moisture and reduce the chance of wood movement while drying. I personally have not tried this, but I know some professional woodworkers who swear by this method.
Can you post the finished product? I'd really like to know how it turned out after staining, filling cracks and attaching legs
I actually made a whole video about that: czcams.com/video/wpngGuQ2quc/video.html
Why do you think did the random orbital sander not work?
Hi Max, I think the pad on the RO sander was too soft. I think that because the rings on the slab had different densities that the soft pad allowed it to create a wavy surface across those rings. The belt sander has a flat metal platen so it worked much better. At least that is my theory!
Thanks that makes sense. Is it an aftermarket pad? The ones I know are pretty hard.
Max Maker Not aftermarket, but much softer than the belt sander
I'm interested in your height adjustable bench. Do you have plans for this
+Richard Shaw Yes, Plans for the Bench are Available on my website: www.jack-bench.com
Good info... Sound effects would be interesting
Great idea!!
Great video, Knowledgeable and easy to understand, is a 2 hp router sufficient or should I go with a larger horsepower model?
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! A 2 HP router will be fine.
@@JackbenchWoodworking Ok thank -you…😀
I also should’ve asked you what type of router bit should be used? looking forward to your answer, thank you…
Thanks for making this video Jack. What size is your rail that you used with the track saw?
It was an 800mm track. (31")
very nise
Thanks!
Awesome video. Thank you for sharing. Just one question. What router bit did you use to flatten the wood. I’m in the process of doing something similar. Thanks in advance.
Thanks Mark! I used a Dewalt 621.
@@JackbenchWoodworking thanks a mil Jack. Tried it today and worked like a bom. Making quite a few oak coffee tables.
Nice. i have a cookie like that about 3ft in diameter i need to flatten and maybe slice up
Not sure I like your setup. But if it works then hey! It doesn't matter. Not my personal favorite but good video
Thanks, I'm glad that you liked the video.
Love your table saw guard and push sticks :-(
I agree completely.
4:46 sawstop
A Baller When you set yourself up as a teacher on CZcams you have to realise that all levels of people watch. Some kid could watch this and think it's ok to do what this guy does and cut their hand off. Not cool.
A Baller I did take one this morning. 20 kilometres, but I kept to the marked track😉
Every child molester has a mustache
I'd like to see it finished. Got any pictures you could post?
Even better, I've got a whole video on this one: czcams.com/video/wpngGuQ2quc/video.html Thanks!
very good, bravo bravo !! thanks Bye Bye Ziolù
Thank you so much!
What camera are you using? Good work
Thanks Gene! I'm glad you liked the video. I use a Sony AX-100 amzn.to/2OAec4k
Does anyone ever mention router bit type on you tube or do i just miss it?
You will need a straight router bit that is at least 1-1/4″ long, but preferably one that is 1-1/2″-2″ long so that it is long enough to reach through the sled and still be able to trim the slab. There are specialized surface planing bits, but a regular straight mortising bit will be just fine.
Flattening with go faster and you will get a cleaner finish with a wide bit. The bit I used for this slab was 1-1/8″ wide and it worked great.
I have an blog article with more details about this: jack-bench.com/flattening-walnut-slab-workbench-router/
Is it an optical illusion, or is the slab not uniform thickness after you finished? The top looks flat but one side looks a lot thicker than the other.
On most router sleds I've seen, the router rides free in a slot on the sled, so you push the sled along the rails, and then push the router along the slot, in an X/Y kind of motion. Is there a reason you did it with a fixed sled?
+Brian Rosen Great response, Brian!!! I purposely left the slab thicker at one end. It was already an inch thicker on one end and I decided to leave it that way because I think it will add to the rustic look of a slab table top.
I considered using a sled with a slot in it, but went with this style so that I didn't have to reach as far to route the opposite side. I could move the router from the far end of the sled. If I were flattening something small then I would probably put a slot in the sled. I hope this makes sense!
كل المعدات ممتازة👍
لكن ...
كان من الأفضل ترك الراوتر متحرك بدل ان يكون ثابت مع القاعدة ( ليس من الضرورة تحرك القاعدة كاملة)
لا اعلم اذا لك أهداف اخرى لا اعلمها😘
Two old bed rails is all I use.
That will work!
It does not appear that your finished piece is perpendicular.... it appears high at one end and low at the other. You did one pass instead of many passes while adjusting the height from low to high, taking small clips of high spots one at a time. Any reason why?
HI Chris, normally I would flip the slab over and make another series of cuts to ensure that both sides are parallel to each other. For this project I intentionally left the slab higher at one end than the other because I wanted it to look more like it was just sliced off of the log. I try to flatten the slab as quickly as I can. The finished surface on this slab was acceptable with a deeper cut, so I did it in one pass. Thanks! Charlie