I made this naturally stained red maple bench as a donation to the Georgia Forestry Association for Project Learning Tree and the Tree Farm System Silent Auction.
The maple slab is 2" thick and 19" wide. The shelf is a naturally stained ambrosia maple live edged piece. The log that this slab was sawn from sat on a logyard at a sawmill from the Spring thru the hot Summer. The stain streaks were black, blue, green, and gray. Nature at her best. The legs are the Alissa Bench Legs. The finish is 100% pure tung oil mixed 50:50 with mineral spirits.
It sits nice. Kinda want to keep it, now :).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1451.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1466557710)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1446.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1466557821)
Good looking! !
I guess you'll be building Outhouses next. :D :D :D :D :D :D
I love it Danny. What a great donation from your heart my friend. :)
Very nice,love the alissa legs
Looks nice :)
The colors are so rich!
I don't know what I love more... the bench or those cabinets behind it.
Bench looks great . You may have a future in the wood industry .
Ain't it nice to have a place to sit down ?
Looking great!
8)
Ya done good, Danny 8) 8). I like it !
Beautiful piece Looks comfy
Danny you have an eye for artistry. Very nice.
Bold yet elegant and your generosity is beyond reproach! smiley_thumbsup
That is a beautifull bench. It looks so comfortable to sit on with the live edges that will not dig into the back of your legs. Love the bench legs also. :)
The bench legs are super nice. Y'all need to get a pair and make a bench cut_tree.
Quote from: WDH on June 24, 2016, 03:50:49 PM
The bench legs are super nice. Y'all need to get a pair and make a bench cut_tree.
I have ordered 2 pair that are in route now.....so you are preaching to the choir. smiley_nananana
Old Saying
I did not know that you could sing.
Howling at the moon does not count. poston-smiley
Quote from: Magicman on June 24, 2016, 09:25:13 PM
Howling at the moon does not count. poston-smiley
.......and the home of the brave.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/goat-singing~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1466821941)
Really nice bench! I got a pair of legs and now I'm searching for just the right slab!
Bench Update.
The bench brought $1050 at the Georgia Forestry Association Silent Auction.
Quote from: WDH on July 25, 2016, 08:01:19 PM
Bench Update.
The bench brought $1050 at the Georgia Forestry Association Silent Auction.
This is outstanding! The combination of your finished kiln dried slab and the artistic metal work by the Logrite company has now sent my $300 projection to the "Wood Shed".
From now on....$1050.
I'm proud of you Danny and Tamiam for a combination that was built for a good cause. 8)
There were 500 people at the Conference, and several want benches (but not at $1050 :)), so the Rite Leg Co. will be getting some more business.
Quote from: WDH on July 25, 2016, 08:24:29 PM
There were 500 people at the Conference, and several want benches (but not at $1050 :)), so the Rite Leg Co. will be getting some more business.
Thats good news. Nothing like adding GRAVEY to your work. I'd buy one if I could afford it. ;D
Very Nice
Well worth it... that was a beauty.
Quote from: WDH on July 25, 2016, 08:24:29 PM
There were 500 people at the Conference, and several want benches (but not at $1050 :)), so the Rite Leg Co. will be getting some more business.
Well, I had two people who saw the bench at the Georgia Forestry Association meeting and wanted one. So, I built two more. One will be used as a coffee table in a rustic lake house, and the second one will be used as a coffee table in a rustic lake house, too. Thank goodness for rustic lake houses :). Both customer wanted the wood to look like the donated bench. I showed them a number of other types of slabs, but no, they wanted one that looked just like the original, except that the second customer did not want a bottom shelf. The first pic is the original donated bench/coffee table, and the next two pics are the commission pieces.
The donated original:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1451.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1466557710)
The second one, with an ambrosia maple shelf on the bottom:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1557.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1474814830)
And now, the third, without the shelf. I love the figure and curl in this one!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1567.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1474814926)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1569.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1474814872)
I think that I did pretty good in giving them the wood that they wanted :). Working with fantastic wood is fantastic.
Beautiful pieces.
Both customers should be very happy. 8)
Nice
I need to get some of the legs to use on my pine slabs
Just another bench. Black walnut. I made it for someone who gave me a couple of walnut trees, so I wanted to do something to thank him. I like the curved shape. It now resides under an outdoor pavilion. Please forgive the messy shop. Somebody needs to sweep the floor :-\.
I just received 5 more pair in the wrinkle black finish. The wrinkle black ones are really nice.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1637~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1479904448)
Rustic and bold, yet elegant.
That shop was clean a month ago :D
Magic, that sounds like a coffee comercial :D
That's a nice "Thank You." Happy Thanksgiving.
That's a great looking bench !
If the shops not a mess your not working :)
Chad,
It was dirtier than that when you were here ;D.
Another beautiful bench. Soon you will be known as the Rite Leg Bench Company. :)
I used the first prototype Alissa style bench legs that Kevin and Tammy sent to me to try out to make a pecan bench. Of course that one is still mine.
Just another couple of Rite Leg Benches. This one is cherry. I sold it last weekend.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1817.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1489711278)
Here is one made from some maple that laid in the log yard for probably 9 months. It stained while in the pile, and there is some spalt. Curly, too. I love this one. I made it to sell, but might just keep it for myself :).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1813.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1489711233)
Very Nice! Those benches have character as well as personality. smiley_thumbsup
On the benches with no shelf, you have 2 unused holes on the cross piece of the legs. Why not cut two pieces of spalted maple the size of the cross piece and mount them on top using the two holes to secure them. It would give you a bit of color underneath and hide the unused holes. Gary
Those look great. I'm thinking I'm going to have to give it a try. What if the slab has some twist, how flat does it have to be for the legs to fit?
If you don't have a shelf, you can plug the holes with black plastic plugs. That is what I do.
You need the slabs flat or the bench will rock. If there is a little warp or twist, put the slab back on the sawmill, shim it so that it does not rock, cut a flat face, and use this as the bottom reference face when you run the slab through the planer. It there is a lot of twist and warp, choose a better slab.
I use winding sticks to test if the legs will sit flat on the floor. Turn the slab upside down, position the legs where they will be attached, lay a couple of 1" x 1" stickers across the feet of each leg, then sight down to see if the sticks are parallel. If not, you will be able to see which leg needs to be shimmed.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_0843.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1420593925)
BTW, I sold the naturally stained, spalted, curly maple slab this weekend :). I guess that I will have to make another for myself.
I just ordered a couple sets of these bench legs. Can't wait to get them and put em' to use.
Outstanding benches.
Nice job.
You've got the wife fishing thru my wood pile now. :D
Unfortunately my wood working skills involve a chainsaw.
I promptly received my Rite Leg Alissa bench legs just in time to put this together for a gift for my mother on Mother's day. She loved it as did all the other ladies at our place for lunch. Now everyone wants a live edge Rite Leg bench!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31108/IMG_3270.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1494858381)
Nice!
I have another set of legs that I think I'm gonna use to make a cherry bench. I still need to saw the slab and let it dry a bit. I have a nice cherry blow down that I will use. One thing I would also like to say about the Rite Leg bench legs, is they are nice! They far exceeded my expectations from 2 perspectives. 1) these things are heavy and sturdy. I knew from this company they would be more than adequate, but I was not expecting this level of durability. 2) fit and finish. I got the wrinkle finish which is great. Not only is the powdercoating perfect but also the welds and construction.
I will be getting more of these in the future. I will probably try some of the other styles and products. P.S. I have nothing to do with this company, I just like to share my opinion when I find great products that just work for me.
If your cherry slab includes the pith, it will crack badly as it dries. Better to use a cherry slab that does not contain the pith.
Here is the latest one, made from a 9/4 spalted sycamore slab sawn at the last Project in May. Here is the subject log posing with an old Goat.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1896~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1495367597)
Here is one of the slab cuts off the log.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1901~1.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1495367701)
The wood was kiln dried to 8%, planed, sanded to high heaven, and finished with 4 or 5 coats of pure tung oil cut 50/50 with mineral spirits. Once Customsawyer opened up the log and I saw all the spalt, I had him cut one flatsawn slab before beginning the quartersawing process specifically so that I could make this bench. The shelf is one of the spalted quartersawn 4/4 boards.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2082.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1505086398)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2083.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1505086426)
Wow! That's one good looking bench. Glad I was at the Project and now to see some of the cuttings made into something spectacular.
The quartersawn ray fleck is stunning 8)
I wonder if Logrite could incorporate some type of unbotrusive adjuster into the feet or slab mount to relevel the bench if the slab does twist a little over time.
Yes Sir Danny, that is stupendous!! smiley_thumbsup
Legrite and Spalt just go together.....in my book. :)
Wow, fantastic look from the spalted sycamore both flat and quarter sawn!
Beautiful !
I am gobsmacked ,by the figure of that quartersawn :-*
can't be found ,here or affordable , for a wood hack.
Beautiful piece
Very nice. Might need to keep that one!
Here is another piece that was made by Kirk Kameron using the quartersawn sycamore from the last Sycamore Project. The use of the sycamore ray fleck to make the fish scales is perfect.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2097~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1505735927)
All the sycamore sawn at the last Project has been kiln dried, planed, and sold except for three narrow boards about 3" wide. A customer furniture maker bought a good bit to make a table. I know that it will be stunning.
That is amazing!
Great looking stuff. Think I may have to get a few pairs of leg rite bench legs for some slabs I have.
That fish is unbelievable fantastic.
The table is great also.
I managed to get some persimmon slabs from a very large old persimmon that was on the right-of-way of a county road in North Georgia. The tree was over 20" in diameter and had died. I made a nice bench from one of the slabs for a customer. She is going to really like this one. The wood is not stained. This is the natural color after 3 coats of pure tung oil.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2126.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508931654)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2127.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508931690)
She did not want a shelf, so I plugged the holes for the shelf with black plastic plugs. The 5/16" size friction fits into the hole perfectly. You just tap them in with a rubber mallet. You can get them at widgetco.com.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2128~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508931718)
That's a beauty Danny.
Nice, real nice.
That's nice
great looking bench Danny, well done
Old rugged grain.....beautiful! :)
Nice job Danny
A work of art.
Couple more benches. First one, the one with the shelf, is spalted curly maple. The 2nd one is Magic Walnut.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2288.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1522368402)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2292.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1522368433)
Great benches WDH, but I gotta ask (and I should probably know better) what is Magic Walnut?
See reply 5349 in the thread below:
Whatcha Sawin' ??? in Sawmills and Milling (http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=80057.5340)
Then scroll down to Reply #5434 for the rest of the story. Magic Walnut (http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=80057.msg1458083#msg1458083)
Figured it mighta been something like that. WDH you did pretty good on the deal. You got Pickled Bologna, one heck of a good looking New York Strip dinner, Pecan Pie, and you went away with magic walnut?? Heck the trip to see the champion tree was worth the price of admission right there. Fun to see you guys with the friendship and bond that I can only assume the FF helped create. Makes a simple wood bench worth so much more when you know the whole story. Thanks for telling the rest of the story.
Highly Valuable Benches. pc_smiley
That Persimmon slab is extra nice Danny!
Yes, that persimmon was some kind of fine.
I couldn't help myself, after the Project I came back and picked out a maple live edge slab and started on a bench. I faced, planed, sanded and put on two coats of thinned linseed. With the oil base, are you using a wax or shellac or? topcoat to bring out the chatoyance? I used a spritz if dewaxed shellac and it did ok but ....
Here's the oiled slab and below the part coated with Shellac
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/8DC8AA16-53DC-4867-88CA-D5758A2412E9.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1524078422)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/75FEFDA4-C0AD-4EB4-BF71-11F55889BB75.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1524077723)
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
Makes ya wanna take a bite out of it!
$300
That is an incredible slab. Perfect for one of those benches.
Thanks, I just grabbed one off the pallet to experiment with, it was one of the leftovers the customers didn't pick. Should have seen some of the real good ones, they sold fast.
I oiled and sanded it a little more, finally got the sheen going.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/IMG_1601.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1524106350)
My daughter and I mocked it up, trying to get the hang of leg spacing and such.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/IMG_1616.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1524106346)
I haven't put the screws in it yet.
How sturdy are they without the bottom shelf board? I bought some bronze lag screws similar to the ones I saw at Jakes place from Lowes, they look like they will have a very similar group. I'll put an order in to Legrite for their screws, but didn't want to wait.
And we also thought about adding a bottom board, so we started fiddling with that, trying different lengths and widths. I'm not sure how to attach it to make strong enough to brace the top, maybe some hidden inserts and 3/4" bolts? Here's a 4/4 curly maple off the rack we are playing with. This one didn't pass the test, too narrow and too long.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/IMG_1618.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1524106356)
The finish on that bench of your is beautiful, Robert. The gnarly edge is what I really like though. Time to hit the road and head to work. I suspect you will find an adequate shelf board somewhere in your inventory.
Kyle
Can't believe that maple slab got passed up. It is simply gorgeous.
You do not need a shelf for stability. If you decide not to go with a shelf, you can plug the two little holes on each leg where the shelf goes with black plastic plugs. They have a round head and friction fit into the holes. Tap them in with a mallet. Makes for a more finished look because if you leave the shelf holes open it looks like something is missing. Here is where to get the black plastic plugs. You need to get the 5/16" ones.
(5/16") Hole Plugs in white, black and more. (http://www.widgetco.com/hole-plugs-covers-8mm)
If you display your bench in your World Headquarters, it will create interest in your short slabs. The short slabs from 4' to 5' become perfect for bench or coffee table tops, and showing your bench puts ideas in your customer's head. Plus, it gives them a place to sit ;D. You can seed a few of them around ;).
Mr. YH
Beautiful slab
Like Mr.WDH says would be a wonderful display piece .
Some folks need to see what can be done with the wood.
Danny, Thanks for the link, I ordered some this morning.
I'm probably going to just hand rub wax the finish, that should make it pop nice, and I can fix it up as people sit on it. I can let their rear end do the polishing, and I can get a feel for its sturdiness. We have quite a few of these and other slabs, several hundred, bunch of different species, but if I can sell a few ready made, why not? I thought I'd make a few of each, to show the customers the end product and get an idea of the price point. Maybe even put the finishing steps on our webpage to help them, so I wanted to keep it simple. Having an oiled, hand rubbed finish is easy, but sounds custom and expensive.
I'll play with it a little more today and put it out this weekend to see what the customers think.
I saw on your posts that you like the crinkle finish better than the flat gloss?
Yes, I do. But the crinkle black is for interior use only. The gloss can be used outside, although it would be a shame to put such a beautiful piece outside in the elements.
It's done, it looks pretty good, I think so it will go out in the showroom tomorrow. The legs are satisfyingly sturdy, as Danny said they would be, so now let's see how the customers like it. (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/8EBBD2E9-C68D-4119-9B16-F142000D6781.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1524249671) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/37CFA1A8-89BD-4005-A741-39D6761DCE3D.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1524249697)
I would build a hallway table out of that slab.
Thats way to pretty to be setting an ugly......well to be sitting on.
That grain is gorgeous!
You done fine on that bench. That is what the project is about. Picking each others brains as to what is working.
Yellowhammer I'm sure my commission check is in the mail for that great idea I gave you. :D
I'll have to figger a percentage. I'm not real good at math. Let's see, uh, hmmm, I'm lost already. I'll have to get back to you. I'll email the check as soon as I get it worked out.
Fantastic slab and finish! It may not make it through the weekend!
Quote from: customsawyer on April 20, 2018, 07:16:06 PM
Yellowhammer I'm sure my commission check is in the mail for that great idea I gave you. :D
Jake I can figure it for you and send Yellowhammer a bill....
for a small fee of $300.
Just send one SGU. That should cover it.
looks like a three dimensional topographic map of the desert, but, outstanding!
Well, hold on, we had a little unexpected backfire today. I'm still recovering, sipping on iced tea and and eating frozen pizza. My legs are cramping, my arms hurt, and I think I'm getting out of the bench building business. Too many harmful side effects.
Let me explain. I only had one person offer to buy the bench today for $500 and I refused, because I had set the price at $575. Most of our slabs sell for between $180 and $300, so this was a fair price, I thought. The lady who offered to buy was in the first wave of customers, at about 0930 this morning. So I had placed the bench next to the slabs, some hard maple like from want it was made, and some ambrosia, and a few others. I figured people could say "Wow" and sit or gawk on it while contemplating their purchases.
It worked a little too well. Way too well. Here's me at about 2:00 pm, Martha snapped this photo. I'm a little tuckered out.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/F012180A-500D-4359-BC76-929C1341F1B9.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1524361096)
By the end of the day we hit a record high for slab sales. We sold 28! Yep, not a typo, 28!
I don't know if I'll sell the bench, because if I had, I wouldn't have had anything handy to sit on.
You have to admit that it's a good problem to have though.. ;)
Thought about selling the slabs and a set of Logrite legs as a "Bundle", 10% off?
Take it home and build a bench just like this one.
That is exactly what I do. Buy the legs, the slab, and save yourself some $. Plus get the satisfaction of building your own.
$300 x 28 = 28 SGU's.
Quote from: YellowHammer on April 21, 2018, 11:19:27 PM. . . I'm a little tuckered out . . .
I don't know if I'll sell the bench, because if I had, I wouldn't have had anything handy to sit on.
Wow, you look completely totally whoomped in that picture!
Ever think of engineering a slab bench that includes a backrest?
And maybe some armrests?
. . . and a reclining feature with a footrest?
28 slabs sold?
Well done. and yep, a bit of slab-recliner time might just feel right!
;) :D
That's a lot of slabs for the day :)
If you do the back rest and all the other stuff, I would highly recommend a cup holder. ;)
Ayup,beat me to it,cup holder!!
Good for you on sales.
Quote from: customsawyer on April 22, 2018, 04:45:41 PM
If you do the back rest and all the other stuff, I would highly recommend a cup holder. ;)
Why......you never set one down. :D
That suggestion was for other customers.
The power of suggestion. Your customers saw what was possible and the great finish and it was off to the races!
Spalted and naturally stained maple.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2609~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1543502870)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_2611~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1543502963)
Nice. I have a few spalted maples to saw. The right of way maintenance crew dropped them 3 or 4 years ago. I just picked them up a short while back. They are field edge trees and have some spiral grain so I am wondering how they will behave when slabbed. Might end up with a decorative sliding board for the grandkids. Had some pretty good color when I bucked them.
Wudman
Well, that bench is just 'naturally' purdy!
Walnut for my Grand nephew
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/27386/14DA7DAC-D745-43E0-A1B4-99736D22DAAE.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1543621342)
I am detecting some "Bench Whisperers". smiley_thumbsup
Stan,
Love the shape of that top. Looks like a nice maple butterfly, too. Really adds class.
Thanks, Danny. Your bench builds inspired me to try one. Got the legs from Tammi two years ago at the Pig Roast. I slabbed the walnut in April 2016 and air dried in the saw barn until a couple weeks ago. Thanks to the conversation on this forum I flattened the slab on the sawmill. MUCH easier and less mess than a router. I had rotator cuff surgery yesterday so will be one handed for a few months. No more projects until spring.
Stanwelch, Bummer on the shoulder!
Stan,
Shoulder surgery is fun. Hope it went well and you recovery well.
Nice benches gents.
Bought 2 sets of legs from Kevin at Booneville in August.
Havent attempted anything yet but after looking at what you folks have done I am afraid my efforts will be feeble.
Well, I ran out of benches except for the one I keep in one of my lumber rooms for me to sit on. This curly red maple slab caught my eye, and after looking at it for about 4 months every day and refusing to sell it, I cut 3' off one end of the 8' slab and made this bench using the Danielle style Rite Leg Bench Leg in wrinkle black. It has several coats of pure tung oil, and rubbed out some with 0000 steel wool. Another coat or two with some more rub-out and should be good to go. The tung oil really pops the curl in the red maple. The bottom shelf is a curly ambrosia maple board. This one has a particularly nice natural edge.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_3125.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1578016544)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_3124.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1578016511)
Robert,
Did you keep that maple bench that you sit your whooped out butt on or are you still sitting your whooped out butt on it?
Nice bench. I like a good piece of curly maple.
That is one nice looking bench!
Did you add a stain or use a torch to darken it?
Inquiring minds...
Jon
No Sir. I used dark tung oil. You can get pure tung oil in regular or in dark. The wood was not stained or burned.
Quote from: WDH on January 02, 2020, 08:59:26 PMRobert,
Did you keep that maple bench that you sit your whooped out butt on or are you still sitting your whooped out butt on it?
That is a remarkable bench of yours Danny. Beautiful figure. I like the legs, too. I need to order some more to sell.
Yes, its still here in the showroom. It's helped sell more live edge slabs than anything else. I do set my rear end on it regularly. This weekend we may have had 300 people come through and I ate my lunch on it. People seem to realize that a tired guy eating a cold piece of pizza on a bench is not to be disturbed. :D :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/8EBBD2E9-C68D-4119-9B16-F142000D6781.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1524249671)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/F012180A-500D-4359-BC76-929C1341F1B9.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1524361096)
That's one beautiful piece of wood!
Thought I'd share some thoughts on natural edged slabs since they're all the rage now days.
For starters I never consider buying the legs made of steel. Tightwad figures into that decision but mostly I like all wood anyway for esthetics of choice.
Long time ago when I made my LR coffee table and end table from walnut live edged slabs I began building peg leg style. By that I mean a variously shaped wood leg using a turned round, wedged tenon. I like the look of the wedged end in the top and keeping the piece all wood. No doubt wood is the easier way and great for those who are not into so far into wood working as others, meaning buy a slab, sand it a bit and screw things together. The hardest aspect is drilling the largish angled holes, the rest isn't very far gone.
To place a date on my slab interest and projects, I first got onto the slab idea when I read the article in one of Fine Woodworking' early issues about George Nakishima's business in PA centered on nice slabs built into tables, benches, stools, etc.. To suggest that natural edge slabs are a recent phenom is to ignore his influences.
As for tung oil as a finish-Walmart as they're given to do so often, stopped carrying pure Watco branded tung oil last winter. I bought every marked down can I ran into as we snowbirded around FL last winter. I normally like Watco Danish followed by wax or Watco Poly Wipe for a full service table top. The danish oil does the exact same thing as the tung in popping out the grain and colors. Once set by Watco Danish walnut stays dark longer than I've been around.
I recently tried Watco Satin wax, a wipe on wax that really works great. given the high cost of hard waxes as I used in the past it's my new buddy for a final buff on wood projects, it's really easy to use too!
I made a bunch of walnut live edged shelves for a son in TN last year. His contractor is used to doing them and said for me to angle the back edges slightly so that once weighted with plates, pans or knicknacks the shelf stays at level-I think we used 5 degrees back angle on the straight back side.