Woodworker's Guide to Live Edge Slabs: Transforming Trees into Tables, Benches, Cutting Boards, and More

by George Vondriska

Overview

The first-ever accessible guide on making DIY furniture from live-edge slabs, this book will show you everything you need to know about incorporating organic, natural wood pieces into your home. After learning techniques for milling, drying, and preparing your own slab, adding inlays, using resin and epoxy, creating waterfall edges, and more, you’ll then move on to complete seven projects that range in size and offer additional ideas and inspiration to implement in your own projects while using the techniques you’ve learned! From charcuterie boards and floating shelves to desks, dining tables, benches, and more, both beginner and advanced DIYers can accomplish these stunning woodworking projects! Author George Vondriska is the owner of Vondriska Woodworks, one of the premier woodworking schools in the Midwest. The managing editor of Woodworkers Guild of America and a contributor to Fine Woodworking, WOOD, and Woodworker’s Journal, George has also taught woodworking classes for the U.S. Peace Corps, the Pentagon, Northwest Airlines, and Anderson Window. Learn from a true woodworking pro as you transform trees into stunning furniture your family and friends will love!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781497101432
Publisher:	Fox Chapel Publishing
Publication date:	11/02/2021
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

A leading voice and instructor in the industry, George Vondriska has been teaching woodworking since 1986 and is the owner of Vondriska Woodworks, one of the premier woodworking schools in the Midwest. Offering courses in cabinet making, furniture making, lathe turning, CNC work, and more for both beginner and advanced woodworkers, he also teaches classes at woodworking shows, schools, and stores, as well as for the U.S. Peace Corps, the Pentagon, Northwest Airlines, and Andersen Window. George is currently the Managing Editor of Woodworkers Guild of America, has previously worked for American Woodworker Magazine, and contributed articles to Fine Woodworking, WOOD, and Woodworkers Journal. To learn more about George, visit his website (www.VondriskaWoodworks.com) or on Facebook (@VondriskaWoodworks) and Instagram (@Vondriskaworks).

Table of Contents

Introduction 05

Gallery 08

Techniques

Logs to Lumber 16

Prep your Slabs 22

Epoxy and Slabs 32

Cutting in Bowties 42

Create a Waterfall Edge 54

Projects 70

Charcuterie Board 72

Magnetic Knife Block 80

Deer Track Bench 90

Walnut Cookie Coffee Table 98

Desk with Painted Base 106

Steel Pipe Shelf 116

Floating Shelves 124

Bookmatched Dining Table 132

Resources 142

About the Author 143

Index 144

Editorial Reviews

This book has everything you need to go from a beginner to expert when working with slabs. George is incredibly thorough, and this book has tons of knowledge that usually only comes with years of experience. Not only is it easily digestible for woodworkers of any skill level, but each technique is paired with clear visuals and photos to help the reader understand better. This book is one of those things I wish I had when I got started working with slabs, it would have saved me lots of headaches and thousands of dollars from pain-staking mistakes.

Youtuber & Woodworker John Malecki

A comprehensive guide of working with organic natural edge timbers, this is a worthwhile resource for the aspiring woodworker. 

hearnehardwoods.com Rick Hearne

This clear, concise book is peppered with plenty of helpful shop tricks. There’s a project for every budget and skillset. The section on flattening slabs using a variety of methods alone makes this book a must read for anyone working with live edge pieces.

Anne of ALL Trades Anne Briggs

Informative, complete, and full of valuable ways to explore live edge wood. George covers all the bases with this guide.

Jess Crow