I Guess We're Building River Tables Now

Building a 10-1/2 foot, live-edge slab table.

ABOUT THIS VIDEO
In this episode we're building a double live-edge slab, 10-1/2 foot-long table! This was our first time ever building a table like this and it was a challenge. I've been woodworking for about 10 years, so I don't know what took me so long...but finally after seeing a lot of inspiring videos here on YouTube from other creators like Blacktail Studios...we had to give it a shot. Lots went wrong, but thankfully we were able to correct everything and end up with what, at least I think, is a pretty good looking table. We hope you'll enjoy watching us build it, as much as we enjoyed building it :)
#RiverTable #LiveEdgeTable #woodworking

BUY THIS TABLE

WOODWORKING PLANS / PROJECT COURSES

SUPPORT THE SHOW

LINKS
▸ Where We Got Our Slab

▸ The Epoxy We Used

▸ All Those Cool Red Tools

MUSIC
Ending Song by Ryo Sonoda

FOLLOW

0:00 Intro
1:00 Picking Out Slabs
2:45 Stabilizing Slabs with Epoxy
6:38 Removing Bark
7:34 Finding a Wide Belt Sander
9:46 Designing and Building the Base
14:38 Table Assembly Hardware
18:20 Positioning Slabs on Base
19:00 Ad Read
19:40 Reacting To Photo Realistic Renders
22:36 Cutting Table To Length & Base Details
24:22 Attaching The Base to the Tops
26:18 Sanding and Finishing
29:06 Final Assembly & Reveal

[JDGamer]

Honestly, for me the channels I keep coming back to are the ones that explain what’s going on during a montage. Whether it’s restoration videos, carpet cleaning videos, law care videos, or your videos, having someone there talking you though what’s happening is much more engaging than just music.

[FairlyUnknown]

I personally think you can never repeat yourself enough when it comes to the detailed, technical side of woodworking. It's more beneficial as a teaching aid when things are explained. Even if it's something someone already knows or seems common sense, hearing it repeated to solidify the knowledge is never a bad thing.

[ShuRugal]

The open center would make that an amazing conference room table. install a power strip and a pair of 16-port switches to the underside facing the center, and the center is a perfect place for cables from guest devices to drop out of sight.

[thor]

Personally I like the open look, but if I was going to add glass I would do the river look. There is a nice band of lighter wood along the edges that would provide a natural template for the glass. Also, just another thought, but for the metal joining plates I think it would be nice to engrave the numbers into the plates and in the wood for anyone assembling the table, just looks more inline with this price point of table than labelling with pen. Just my 2 cents though.

[trainchomp]

I loooove the empty middle it's so unique and while it may pose a few challenges the table still performs its primary function very well. Beautiful table.

[Lincolnstww]

brass plate was such a nice touch - classy as always dudes

[SunflowerandtheBussLady]

I actually love unusual and unique items. Something that works how it’s suppose to, yet doesn’t HAVE to look like it works the way someone else deemed it. The center opening is genius, bold and creative. If I had a large enough space and/or the resources, it would be definitely be MY kind of table. 👏🏽🥰🙏🏽✌🏽💖

[jonathanstofenmacher]

Thank you so much for taking the time to design a base for your table. Often enough I see other woodworkers slap some steel legs and call it a day. I believe when designing a piece of furniture it is fundamental to think about the piece as a whole. You guys really did a superb job on this one and I personally love it the way that it is. I hope your buyer does too.
As far as your concerns go about your vids, I find them entertaining and I am not bothered by the "repetitiveness". Id rather see the full process (and for those who don't want to see it - skipping ahead on the video is pretty easy)

[justbecausewhynot]

Little John really knows how to do his job. Made me want to go buy a big slab of wood and learn about it and make a table

[MVinceProductions]

Long term viewer here: I'm not about to skip any part of your videos and risk missing any bits of your fantastic humoristic commentary. :)

[EvolutionSquare]

with two more closely fitted together pieces, I actually really like the open space. These two slabs coming together leaves too much of a gap in the center to be functional. If it was a slimmer strip of open space, the user could cross the distance with wood cutting boards or large serving platters when it's time to set the table.
But I actually think it's the most creative of the options you considered, just leaving it open.

[dwaynehausler]

I personally like the full length videos. You dont need to explain every aspect of every step, but rather the more complex steps. I like to know how you came up with the solution, so i can use it in my woodworking. I get a lot by just watching you do it. With that being said, I hate the receptiveness of cutting 10 pieces that are all the same. Fast forwarding through that stuff, or skipping it all together is fine. I also enjoy the comedic banter and artistic filming techniques.

[tastx]

A neighbor made a table out of 2 long slabs similar to yours and left the center open. I thought it was a brilliant idea especially because he used 2 z shaped pieces on each base and the table could easily be moved to the sides if he wanted buffet style serving for larger gatherings or one for seating. The finish was similar to yours and looked great with the separation.

[damongoldston]

The open table is very imaginative. I really like it that way. The idea of allowing the buyer to choose is great.

[jwvandegronden]

I love the two slabs functioning as one table top! By far the best option I think. What a beautiful finished product! It simply accentuates it being wood, from a tree you can still recognize in its final shape. And it would be a perfect conference room table with natural space for cables etc. if IT tech is needed and a soothing impact when you are in a discussion with a large group, because, who gets angry when in nature, right?

Simply stunning...

[folby]

"every issue of spiderman is someone's first issue of spiderman" is actually one of the trickier aspects of serial content and I respect that y'all are trying to craft your approach to it! I think with woodworking people get a really decent sense of operations (jointing, ripping, planing, glue-ups) after a video or four, and watching those operations in high speed with a voiceover acknowledging what's happening works swell. what can spice those up is some discussion of the problem-solving that goes into doing that particular operation with that particular piece of wood for that particular project, and I think you guys cover this pretty well (eg noting that something won't be visible in the final project so you're not doing it a certain way.) if there isn't something specific, using the time to insert whatever tip will fit in the space (jointing opposing faces so that your 89.7 degree fence issue comes out in the wash) means you can link to both the video with that tip and your tips and tricks videos if folks are new and want more of that. (do people click through to linked videos? I suspect the rate is quite low but I am not a producer of this kind of stuff.)

all of that said I think you handle the balance well, your editing and pacing is great, and I do not tend to do the "OK i know what's happening here, let me use the thumbnail to find the end of this step" thing on your videos all that often.

[overcaffeinatedengineering]

I love watching your woodworking videos so much. I'm not a woodworker myself, but there's something almost meditative about hearing/watching what you're doing and why. I like hearing technical details to the extent that I understand them, and even rationale why, but I personally won't be going to implement these things myself. But honestly, I'll probably like whatever format you go with.

[NickGranville]

Looks great! Personally I like the open middle section. If people are worried about things falling through they could always put things on a tray in the middle. Easy as

[RCW-Designs]

Guys, I love this table. Turned out fantastic. I personally love the open middle. I did a coffee table like this and my customer loved it. They eventually want a dining table, but I was injured and can't build anymore. I'll send them the video to see if they might be in the market right now.

[jscook]

You asked for lots of opinions so here goes: But first, I love this build and your videos. 1. I prefer detail build videos with your explanations of not only what you are doing but what other options you considered and why you chose what you did. 2. I think I preferred the second fiverr rendering. It showed the table in a room without distraction of room decorations. 3. Regarding empty top fill, If using as a conference table in an attorney’s office I like it left empty for that. If dining table I think a glass fill in similar curvy shape of the open table . Keep up the great work guys.