Surfacing a Beautiful Elm Slab for Live Edge Furniture

Tonight we are surfacing a beautiful elm slab for some live edge furniture that will live in our house. It is hard to find elm of this size anymore do to the Dutch Elm disease that has made its way through the northeast. There are no shortage of elm trees, but there is a shortage of large elm trees so if you are able to get your hands on one you ought to treasure it. Historically elm was used quite a bit for building things that needed strength and if you've ever worked with it you would see why. On another note we are finally moving towards all of those woodworking and blacksmithing videos that we have talked about for so long. Hope you folks enjoy it and I'll see you on the next one.

[jamesharris]

dont stop chatting i enjoy your chatter and keeps us interested.Happy New Year to you and family

[Tomhohenadel]

Jim, the elm I can remember in southern Ontario were huge as well. Beautiful sweeping branches that hung down. The Baltimore Orioles nested exclusively in the hanging branches with nests that they wove. Really miss the trees and the birds. Winter time for us in Texas, don’t miss the snow at all. Happy New Year my friend

[anthonyrosario]

Great to see barn done, it's still sad. Love the elm it's going to be a beautiful piece. Happy New year to you and your family and to all.

[BrasherFox]

We also lost loads of Elm in the UK due to Dutch Elm. What a magnificent tree that wasn't really appreciated until they were gone.

[raymondperrault]

In 1972 we moved to a farm across the river from you (between Kingston and Brockville) and every full grown elm tree on the farm was standing but dead due to dutch elm disease. We heated our farm house with two wood stoves and most of the wood-splitting chores were my responsibility. I was just a kid so splitting elm required a sledge hammer and a wedge. That sure was tough, sinewy wood.

[danryan]

Dutch Elm disease did a number on them up here too. Emerald Ash Borers are the latest threat to our area. Nice to see you getting your kicks with a new project. Looking forward to whatever is next...

[GreatPlainsCraftsman]

Hey Jim, you're right, the sight of a full grown upright arch Elm is a sight to behold. Plus, I think it is beautiful wood. Nice job on that slab, it will be really sharp.

[pauldjerassi]

Good Night Jim we got wiped out here also with Dutch Elm disease also, that's a beautiful piece of timber you wont see many more pieces like that now days, the barn looks great drying out nicely .paul

[eduardom]

Ok, the coffee got my thumbs up, Now, shall I continue to watch the video. I wish you the best for this 2019, and the years to come.

[mikedudley]

Nice Demo of technique, thanks. Sticks out - Slabs in, we'll take that. "She" will be pleased when it's finished.

[chriscox]

Good morning Jim
I will agree with you. That elm is beautiful. I don’t know if I ever saw an elm tree much less any lumber from one

[KohlfyreProductions]

Thanks Jim! Happy New Year Jim and family! May you be blessed in this coming 2019 year.

[bluemtnsman]

One thing I'll say regarding elm, , , it WILL teach you patience. Some years ago I built a four piece bedroom set for my son. Originally I thought it'd be a ten weekend project. Invested 33 weekends all told. Beautiful wood that simply glows and worth every minute of my time.

[donnellsmith]

Hey Jim! Nice looking slab! That is going to be beautiful! Your wife will love that!! Happy wife...happy life!! Lol!! Congratulations on 2 years!

[SilverBack.]

Hi Prof, really good video, you look comfortable working in the shop

[lrodpeterson]

Elm properties: Hard, if not impossible, to split. Forget the froe.
Used for hubs in wooden wheels. When you think about all the wood that's not in a hub (mortises for spokes, hole for bearings and axle), you'll understand how tough it is.

Glad to see you having the muffs on. Probably no noisier tool in the shop than a router. "Screaming router" is redundant. I have two or three of those 690 bodies. I have the straight base (like yours), the D-handle base, and the plunge base. I really like the D-handle. I have other plunge routers I use more, but the P-C plunge does an adequate job.

At around $20 a pop, get the kids some Peltors (or equivalent). I bought three of them while working with my son on a project—one each for him and his two boys. Later, his three year old came down to help and even she put them on voluntarily. They'll thank me 40 years from now (that's metaphorical, because I'll be 113 by then, and likely unable to hear them).

[stephensparks]

Just slabbed an old elm out of the Yard. All is air drying atm in the barn. Will be looking forward to see how yours turns out. Happy New Year Jim.

[adirondackharold]

Nice elm you got there. Now I know where to bring slabs too. 😁 Can't wait to see the anvil along with some blacksmithing. 👍 See you on the next one buddy. Have a good day. 🍻

[James.......]

I've done that method a few times - works well but so much mess. Happy New Year!

[fasteddy]

If mama ain't happy nobody happy! Gotta keep mama happy.