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Mesquite Slab Table

11013 Views 91 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  builtinbkyn, 
builtinbkyn
2
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)

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doubleG469
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
River that puppy! I have one I am milling from some logs and I think I am going that route as well. For me it's the question of what type legs would look best with the mesquite (no hairpins!)

That'd also make a very nice bench.

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UncleBuck
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
river for sure , do you have any more to use for legs maybe something else for contrast good luck

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HokieKen
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
I am a fan of the waterfall tables too but I have to say Bill, that slab looks pretty solid and has a nice edge and I like the character of the grain and knots. I'd vote to leave it as-is

... For me it s the question of what type legs would look best with the mesquite (no hairpins!)...

- doubleG469
Click to expand...
Walnut would look good with Mesquite. The colors contrast nicely IMO. Any dark wood would probably look good. Iron/steel would probably look good in the right design. I agree though, no hairpins.

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builtinbkyn
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
Hey guys.

Gary definitely no hairpins. They may have their place in the world, but they always leave me thinking they're just a placeholder until the legs can be figured out lol

Terry this is alls I gots lol But Kenny has an idea - waterfall table. Then I'll only have to consider leg support on one end. That could create some kind of interesting opportunity for design.

Thanks for the idea Kenny. Hadn't thought about the waterfall idea. I think it has ample length to make that work. I'll have to look at it again. Cocktail table height between 16" - 20" generally. Some higher. Some lower. I think I can get a clean 60" out of the piece. So we'll see. Maybe a 40" long table that somewhere around 18" high.

Yeah the wood is really pretty. Couldn't pass it up. They had a thicker slab that was nice, but about a foot shorter. It also had some weird checks and cracks that would have taken a bit to deal with.

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Sigung
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
There's not a lot of attractive choices for a table like this, I think either slab legs or trestle would be a good choice personally. It's a beautiful piece!

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UncleBuck
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
Hey guys.

Gary definitely no hairpins. They may have their place in the world, but they always leave me thinking they re just a placeholder until the legs can be figured out lol

Terry this is alls I gots lol But Kenny has an idea - waterfall table. Then I ll only have to consider leg support on one end. That could create some kind of interesting opportunity for design.

Thanks for the idea Kenny. Hadn t thought about the waterfall idea. I think it has ample length to make that work. I ll have to look at it again. Cocktail table height between 16" - 20" generally. Some higher. Some lower. I think I can get a clean 60" out of the piece. So we ll see. Maybe a 40" long table that somewhere around 18" high.

Yeah the wood is really pretty. Couldn t pass it up. They had a thicker slab that was nice, but about a foot shorter. It also had some weird checks and cracks that would have taken a bit to deal with.

- builtinbkyn
Click to expand...
yea the waterfall idea would solve half the leg problem

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UncleBuck
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
I am a fan of the waterfall tables too but I have to say Bill, that slab looks pretty solid and has a nice edge and I like the character of the grain and knots. I d vote to leave it as-is

... For me it s the question of what type legs would look best with the mesquite (no hairpins!)...

- doubleG469

Walnut would look good with Mesquite. The colors contrast nicely IMO. Any dark wood would probably look good. Iron/steel would probably look good in the right design. I agree though, no hairpins.

- HokieKen
Click to expand...
kenny i have seen the 45 degree angle cut on a large sliding table saw but is there any other way to get it good enough so it is tight.

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HokieKen
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
Well you're welcome for the brilliant waterfall suggestion Bill. However, if you re-read my post, I was actually poo-pooing on the idea ;-)

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HokieKen
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
kenny i have seen the 45 degree angle cut on a large sliding table saw but is there any other way to get it good enough so it is tight.

- UncleBuck
Click to expand...
Beats me Terry… I have admired the tables but never actually made one. Bill's a pretty strong dude though. I think him and his buddy Jay Mulah can just steam bend it.

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UncleBuck
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
Hey guys.

Gary definitely no hairpins. They may have their place in the world, but they always leave me thinking they re just a placeholder until the legs can be figured out lol

Terry this is alls I gots lol But Kenny has an idea - waterfall table. Then I ll only have to consider leg support on one end. That could create some kind of interesting opportunity for design.

Thanks for the idea Kenny. Hadn t thought about the waterfall idea. I think it has ample length to make that work. I ll have to look at it again. Cocktail table height between 16" - 20" generally. Some higher. Some lower. I think I can get a clean 60" out of the piece. So we ll see. Maybe a 40" long table that somewhere around 18" high.

Yeah the wood is really pretty. Couldn t pass it up. They had a thicker slab that was nice, but about a foot shorter. It also had some weird checks and cracks that would have taken a bit to deal with.

- builtinbkyn
Click to expand...
yea kenny i did not get the poo pooing either thought you had done one dont think i would want to mess with anyone that can bend like that lol

kenny i have seen the 45 degree angle cut on a large sliding table saw but is there any other way to get it good enough so it is tight.

- UncleBuck

Beats me Terry… I have admired the tables but never actually made one. Bill s a pretty strong dude though. I think him and his buddy Jay Mulah can just steam bend it.

- HokieKen
Click to expand...

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AandCstyle
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
kenny i have seen the 45 degree angle cut on a large sliding table saw but is there any other way to get it good enough so it is tight.
Click to expand...
I cut this one with my circular saw. I made a chalk line the length of the slab, then a second line perpendicular to that and clamped a fence in place to keep the cut "perfectly" straight. I wanted to use one of these, but couldn't find one to rent. My saw didn't cut all the way through so I finished cutting it by hand, but that wasn't a problem since it was on the underside. HTH

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builtinbkyn
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
LOL Jay is back in NY LOL Man you don't let anything go :O

I read your post. I know you said leave it the way it is, but I did liked the idea after you mentioned it. :) The slab is only 18" wide. I don't think it's wide enough for a table, but making it a waterfall/river table, I can get it to the size that would make sense and work well. Otherwise it would need to be a bench as Gary said.

Terry, since it's only 18" wide, it will fit on my sled. I should be able to make nice clean 45 degree cuts using it.

Thanks Jerry. I went to Rockler for a DC hose adapter, but couldn't resist after seeing it. It's that always the case? Happily I have a need so I don't feel too guilty ;)

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builtinbkyn
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
kenny i have seen the 45 degree angle cut on a large sliding table saw but is there any other way to get it good enough so it is tight.

I cut this one with my circular saw. I made a chalk line the length of the slab, then a second line perpendicular to that and clamped a fence in place to keep the cut "perfectly" straight. I wanted to use one of these, but couldn t find one to rent. My saw didn t cut all the way through so I finished cutting it by hand, but that wasn t a problem since it was on the underside. HTH

- AandCstyle
Click to expand...
That's beautiful Art, but I never expect anything less from you :) Your attention to detail is always admirable and the finished product is always first class.

Oh for future reference, I believe HD tool rental has a beam saw on their list, but don't quote me :)

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Andybb
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
That d also make a very nice bench.
- doubleG469
Click to expand...
I made what I considered to be a nice looking coffee table out of a slab like that but everybody keeps sitting on it! I finally gave up and started calling it a bench. :)

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builtinbkyn
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
That d also make a very nice bench.
- doubleG469

I made what I considered to be a nice looking coffee table out of a slab like that but everybody keeps sitting on it! I finally gave up and started calling it a bench. :)

- Andybb
Click to expand...
That's funny Andy. Just looked at your projects list. I'm guessing that's the maple table with the hairpin legs and not the redwood table. The redwood table is striking.

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duckmilk
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
It doesn't matter what you end up making Bill, that slab is fabulous and the end result will be also. Just don't add any electricity to it ;-)

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builtinbkyn
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
It doesn t matter what you end up making Bill, that slab is fabulous and the end result will be also. Just don t add any electricity to it ;-)

- duckmilk
Click to expand...
Thanks Duck. No AZ polish either :p

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Andybb
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
I made what I considered to be a nice looking coffee table out of a slab like that but everybody keeps sitting on it! I finally gave up and started calling it a bench. :)

- Andybb
That s funny Andy. Just looked at your projects list. I m guessing that s the maple table with the hairpin legs and not the redwood table. The redwood table is striking.

- builtinbkyn
Click to expand...
Actually it was this slab, which really could support the weight of a small pachyderm so I can understand the confusion. I ended up giving it to my son and his fiance for their new highrise shoebox condo so it does double duty.

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HokieKen
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builtinbkyn said:
Cleaning up the slab

Last week I picked up a really nice looking slab of mesquite from Rockler of all places. It's nice and flat and 1.5"x18"x62" roughly. Thought before I went ahead and started work on a much larger slab table using the book-matched honeylocust slabs I have for my dining table, I'd get a feel for how this work would proceed and the trials and tribulations I will obviously encounter along the way. I could use a cocktail table in the TV room, so that's the plan for this. No design yet, but I figured I'd start the process by cleaning it up and dimensioning it.

Table Furniture Desk Computer desk Wood


Not sure if it will be everyone's favorite - a "river table" - or just left as a live edge slab, but it will be something when I'm done. So stay tuned :)
Click to expand...
That is one SEXY slab right there Andy!

And from Andy's pics Bill, I have to say, I think with a waterfall table, I like the simple welded steel legs. They're basic, effective and unobtrusive. Won't detract from the table design IMO but won't distract from the beauty of the wood either. Of course it depends on the decor in the rest of the room…

Another idea… I have always thought the old school RR jacks would make some killer legs on the right table. I know you're a train guy so… ;-) You probably won't come on any really cheap, especially a matched pair, but you may get lucky. And if not, it may be worth the expense if this happens to be going in the same room as your Rail collection.

Wood Artifact Gas Art Composite material

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