How to Flatten a Wood Slab for a Slab Table

Watch to see how to build a simple sled that will let you flatten wood slabs with just a circular saw or router!

Yes, I know I use the band saw to make a cut in the video, but you could do the same cut with a circular saw or just leave the piece large.. it was purely aesthetic.

Tools I used (affiliate links):

///////MY LINKS

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[Vrindavan]

love the fact you let us know the comment section is there to bash you, ,, love the tables and the metal bowties are awesome!

[ragtie]

Excellent video & instructional. Well done.

[sgsax]

Inner Izzy Swan indeed. :) Clever solution!

[falasca]

Nice video. What did you use to bridge The gap’s were the wood split?

[TheAussiePirate]

4:08… the cheekiest smile on YouTube 😄

[zacharyarmeli]

Thank you for doing this with a circular saw and understand some of us don't have the tools but still want the same outcome.

[jamesleal]

You could’ve just got a cheap router on Craigslist 😏

[woodnothing]

Cool alternative build I may have to make one of my own.
Cheers
Tim from Wood 4 Nothing

[blakethompson]

This is a great video. I have been looking thru different sled jigs for weeks now. I really dig the idea with the saw. If the depth of cut wasnt too aggressive, could a fella get away with kicking out the blade angle, to getting a larger cutting surface....less passes? With a sharp blade, minor adjustments, and maybe 1/8" DOC, it may yield quicker results? Thanks again for posting this! Great idea!

[BruceAUlrich]

You’re endangering the loves of those around you by...just kidding...I thought this was a really cool alternative. Good thinking on doing the rest of the tables on your workbench. Your back thanks you.

[ACNailedIt]

Channeling your inner Izzy Swan...lol nice!

[EliteTractorworks]

What’s brand of router is that the Amazon link doesn’t work.

[-C.C]

Try a 'fly cutter' in that router - used primarily for a milling machine, but works great in a router if you get the appropriate shaft size. Love the poor mans approach - but your garage is no poor mans shop!

[envirobiochick]

Thank you for posting. I’m super new and I’m trying to make do with the very few things I have.

Do you have the name of the router? The link isn’t working.

[joeselzer]

also do thy not make planers any more for slabs or is it only in other countries like Vietnam

[anthonywald]

Very cool thanks, do you have drawings for the sled shape to share? I'm not sure why you had a high to low slope?

[tommavrakos]

Try making one where saw is the other way.getting more surface area

[joeselzer]

where do you get slabs of wood? home depot does not have then i want a slap of 49" long and 2 feet wide and 6 inch thick

[gehtomacgyver]

How long should you wait for the wood slab to dry? I was planning on making a table out of some trees that got blown down by hurricane Irma.

[VintageWoodWorkshop]

Thanks Caleb, great design! I have a big slice from an ash tree that needs to be leveled and flattened so I'll definitely try this