One of the Questions we get more than others when we sell our live edge wood is, how do you maintain that glow the wood gives off? Removing The Bark From Your Live Edge Wood Slab. The bark is more adhered to the wood because sugar is not running through the sap edge. Spring/summer growth makes the bark looser. On all but one of my live edge pieces I removed nearly all of the … I do have a coffee table that I used an oil based floor finish on that has held up well. Bark Removal Remove the bark from the live edge. Epoxy just the bark or the whole piece of wood? Such bowls are generally referred to as bark-rimmed or live-edge bowls unless the bark is removed, at which time they become natural-edged bowls. Our web filtering and screen time management … is, quite simply, a tree that has been cut (sliced) all the way across and typically has the natural edge of the tree on either side exposed. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. With the cut made the live edge effect is already looking great. If you want to keep the bark on, use epoxy. You may also return purchases to a Rockler store near you for store credit. Whether you use oil or poly won't help the bark stay on. Liberally douse in varnish. If you cut with it tilted away from the board there is a chance you could get too close to the edge and that would create a flat patch. Any suggestions on the brand or type of epoxy? Check out the full video HERE. If the bark does not want to peal off, you should be ok leaving the bark if you using epoxy. If you choose to keep the bark on your live edge and the type of wood is ideal for it, we’ll use epoxy to seal and protect the outer layer. I am starting a few craft projects using whole chunks of tree limbs, limb crotches, and natural divides. “Live Edge”, also called (albeit not exactly correct) living edge, tree sections, flitches, bark edge, rough edge, tree slab, etc. If you are trying to retain the bark, and the mantle piece is dried to 10-15%, First order is to pin nail the bark on with finish nails. Removing The Bark From Your Live Edge Wood Slab. Live-edge Paleontology. Basswood bark's tight bond makes it ideal for bark art, as it is unlikely to be disturbed in the process of completing your project. The cambium layer separates the bark from the sapwood. If you want a natural method (no glue) then you should start with a tree felled in winter when the tree is more dormant. Not a guarantee, but does put nature on your side. … Bowls that retain the bark of the tree as a rim decoration are always popular, both as a turning project and as a purchasable item by those looking for unusual gifts. We proudly stand behind all of our products. nothing special here, but i got a free piece of oak that id like to make into a fireplace mantel, dried for over 2 years and the bark is on there pretty good. I use a two part bartop epoxy for most of my work. A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. But working with live edge slabs can be somewhat of a pain. Live edge slabs are super popular right now. I would use bow ties and epoxy, and not give the option of not using bow ties. The best way to assure bark staying on the board is to buy lumber that was harvested in the late fall or winter. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Sounds good. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk. If you are trying to retain the bark, and the mantle piece is dried to 10-15%. The main thing to avoid is resting the weight of the wood on the live edges, as this can crumple or break an edge – especially if it is acute. Actually, the truth is, my friend didn't want them and threw them into a bonfire, and before the flames could devour them I pulled them out and loaded them onto my trailer. For these items, please call the store where you purchased them or our customer service department at 1-800-376-7856 so we can assist you. Or, if you can put it in a kiln right away — that is even better, High-quality brands and products you can trust, Expert advice and free post-purchase support, Exclusive, innovative products that help you Create with Confidence, Detailed instructions, technical specs and guides to make the most of your purchases. Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s entire online worlds. I've made very long (3 meters), wooden table with preserved bark. Bark will hold to the rim better if it is harvested in winter. This will make your slabs stronger and avoid the … I’m going to cut pieces to length, and then need to use some kind of sealer on the pieces before I start carving or sanding, and I want to retain as much of the bark as possible for the look I am trying to get. I used Zinsser SealCoat the last time I did this, and it worked well. Cut the stock in the winter when the sap is not flowing. We are proud of the quality of our products, and we stand behind them 100%. Some of the bark falls of easily, but other sections don't. May 17, 2013 - Keeping the bark on chunks of wood, in my experience, is a hit-and-miss business. There are a couple of things that you can do to improve your chances of keeping the bark on your wood: Before I answer your question directly, if you find loose chunks of bark, CA [cyanoacyrylate] glue (the thin stuff often used by turners) can be used to secure them. A tree cut in winter when it's dormant is more likely to retain the bark than one cut in summer. That usually is determined when the tree is cut. I was gifted some walnut slabs. Luckily Matthew Cremona demonstrates just how to make such an item, complete with bark on the edges, called a "live edge." Manufacturer guarantees/warranties for power tools, CNC and laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items are damaged or defective. December 31, 2012. You see: he considered them to be waste because they're not flat on both sides. Finishing it can be a bit trick. Live edge bark protection 1. Answer from the Experts: Keeping the bark on chunks of wood, in my experience, is a hit-and-miss business. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the merchandise you ordered, just return it within 90 days to receive a refund in the manner of original payment. Epoxy resin doesn't stand up to high heat, so use coasters for coffee and cocoa and never put a hot pan or dish directly on the table. Your order will come with a return form with convenient instructions, or you may send your returns directly to Returns Department, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 4365 Willow Drive, Medina, MN 55340. So I decided to use bartop epoxy resin to finish the whole piece. You can indeed use shellac to help stabilize the bark for machining, but it won’t “glue” loose bark back onto the log. - Monte Pittman. Our award-winning service monitors 30+ of the most popular apps and social media platforms for signs of issues like cyberbullying, suicidal ideation, online predators, threats of violence, and more. This isn’t … My top idea was spray varnish/polyurethane to harden/preserve it. Cold Cuts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Store your harvested pieces in a cool, dry place. Fill the Bottom of the Slabs with Epoxy In this step, you will fill any nooks and crannies in the bottom of the slabs. One side is flat and the other is nothing but live edge bark. Learn Woodworking Tips & Tricks with Rockler, Making and Installing Wood Bow Ties in Slabs, Rockler Pack Rack PLUS mobile clamp & tool storage system, Cut the stock in the winter when the sap is not flowing. With the angle set its time to cut the board. Finish the mantle with what ever finish you like. Items shipped directly from the manufacturer cannot be returned in store. If not using bow ties to stabilize or secure the crack, I’d say a different slab has to be used…. If you leave it intact clean it with compressed air to … I treat live edge three ways; remove the bark, remove the bark and stain the edge, and leave the bark. How To Keep Bark On Your Wood Projects. JavaScript is disabled. Live Edge Slab Bark Removal Live Edge Slab Bark Removal. If the bark will peal off, peal it off. It wouldn't hurt to use some pin nails and put them in inconspicuous spots as well as try to work some glue behind the bark in areas that might be loose. What I have done is thin the shellac down by 50% and really soak the bark. Second order is 3 coats of epoxy on the bark edge. I use three simple steps to cruise through my Live Edge Slab Projects. Then I apply a thicker coat of shellac which reinforces the first one. my plan was to oil the whole thing.. i hear it will harden the wood and bark?.. Filling the Voids Check the slab for voids, then tape off the sides, if needed. Is shellac as good a sealer as anything else, as far as being able to penetrate into the bark and make it stable enough for a belt sander or router? Bacteria or mold growing under the bark will reduce its bond to the wood, Store your harvested pieces in a cool, dry place. It should be noted that LE collects dust making it look horrible. For international returns, please click here. As part of the presentation I want to cover the various options open to dealing with the bark. They are big and bulky, which makes moving them by yourself very difficult. What to look for•Logs felled during spring and summer give up their bark easier once dry, and have more unusual coloring due to higher moisture content.•Search out logs with multiple knots, burls, limbs, and other unique characteristics.•To create even more character in your wood, allow the logs to lie on the ground or in a stack for a ye… In the spring and early summer when the tree is actively growing this layer is weak, hence the ease of stripping bark off trees early in the growing … You can help repair a tree's scraped bark or other bark damage by using a sharp knife to clean the edge of the wound, leaving the bark smooth and tight against the wood. You can also use soft materials such as foam or moving blankets to protect the edges. Depending on the complexity of the live-edge surface, you might try using techniques commonly associated with paleontology and cleaning up fossils in rock - dental picks, small wire brushes in a Dremel, larger wire brushes of various sizes in an electric drill, etc., along with … You can then apply an additional top coat of poly over the shellac should you choose, but you would not need to do so. This live-edge piece of wood had some holes on top that I wanted to fill, and something had to be done to hold the bark on. Make your cut with the blade of the jigsaw tilted in towards the board, not away. Stabilizing the wood with Pentacryl and/or Wood Juice will also help to keep the bark on, as it reduces the shrinkage of the wood and prevents the wood from pulling away from the bark. Or, if you can put it in a kiln right away — that is even better. Using traditional machinery is also somewhat of a […] Some species are reputed to shed their bark regardless of treatment, while others are more likely to not shed their skin. Some species are reputed to shed their bark regardless of treatment (hickory is one with a bad reputation in this regard), while others are more likely to not shed their skin — walnut and basswood have a good reputation here. I wanted to share some of my tips on how I get it done. We clean up the bark well, removing any loose particles that could float in the epoxy … Question I have some 8/4 live-edge walnut planks, kiln dried, and want to remove the bark but keep the natural cambium surface unscathed. Live edge slab furniture is all the rave right now, even though it has been around for a long long time. I want to keep the bark on the pieces. This is the right answer. You simply cannot build a strong live edge table with the bark still attached to the wood. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Quote; Link to … From river tables to leaving the slab whole, it shows off wood’s natural beauty. Bacteria or mold growing under the bark will reduce its bond to the wood. This allows it to get into small cracks and crannies. Read more Deliberately remove bark and epoxy back on. 2. I’m leaning toward shellac because its viscosity may allow it to penetrate the bark more easily than a thicker liquid like polyurethane. As others have stated if the piece will see contact the bark will eventually suffer. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Removing Bark from Live Edge Planks Advice on gently removing bark from a sawn plank edge. 2H1, Canada a different Slab has to be waste because they not. Removing bark from the manufacturer can not build a strong live edge Advice... 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