Slab furniture

tyb525 · October 01, 2009, 10:14:23 PM

A couple dropped by this evening to buy some barn beams, and to have me mill a few of their old beams into lumber.

Well we did that pretty quick, so they asked about other lumber that I had, so I showed them all of what I had, including the crotches and odd pieces and slabs. Well they said that they figured they out to have several coffee/end tables made from some crotch pieces and slabs that I showed them.

So, my question is, what are some good websites to start as far as making this kind of custom furniture??

Meadows Miller · October 02, 2009, 04:59:36 AM

Gday Ty

sounds like things are coming along well Mate ;) ;D 8) 8) heres afew sites you can try for a start ;) the peice of timber and the type of furniture will usually tell you the type of joint you will need ;) just let me know if you need any help mate ;) ;D

heartlandlogstructures.com.au ( Dads site ;) ;D )

mullumbimbywoodworks.com.au

slabhappy.com.au

rodmurray.com.au

fabslabtimber.com.au

thewoodguys.com.au

Regards Chris

Lud · October 02, 2009, 06:17:13 AM

Good stuff, Chris.

Know your customer. If they're 50-70 , got some wealth, etc., they know George Yamaguchi's work. He passed but his daughter is still running the shop. Do a search on him for style.

To me it looks like a few butterflys and minimal edge softening but it gets a hell of a mark up! :P :P

SwampDonkey · October 02, 2009, 06:36:25 AM

Search around the forum some Tyb, there are a lot of examples with photos floating around. ;D

raycon · October 02, 2009, 02:23:36 PM

Newman Gee's knee furniture is pretty cool.
His website is gone as far as I can tell (Newman passed away in 2006 after a logging accident) but here are a couple photos I
took in 2005 or 2006 I think. From the Woodenboat show in Newport in RI.

Its to bad the website is not up. He had photo's of the milling process and collections of his knees.

Brad_S. · October 02, 2009, 02:46:55 PM

Sorry to nit pick, Lud, but the man you are thinking of is George Nakashima. Not my taste but I sure appreciate the craftsmanship.

Ironwood · October 02, 2009, 05:24:20 PM

Met the both the fellow who passed and his brother (the current Newman's owner) a few years back , great guys.(Drove Ford's too as I recall). Fun products. I just was talking to some fellow builders this fall, his brother is said to have "bought" the co. from the widow (who know though).

Thanks Brad, I didn't need to nit pick then.

Ironwood

Larry · October 02, 2009, 07:38:53 PM

Required reading material whether you like it or not.

The Soul of The Tree by George Nakashima.

Slab's for tables are always money makers...every time FWW has an article I get calls for slabs. Last time was not long ago and I ran out...helps to get reprints of articles to have on hand...one that comes to mind is Jimmy Carters slab table.

Lonnie Bird's articles help to sell the crotch walnut for secretariats and spice boxes. Forget about board foot pricing...flame walnut goes high.

Meadows Miller · October 02, 2009, 09:04:59 PM

Gday

The soul of a tree is a bloody good read with plenty of info and some dang nice pics ive had my copy since i was about 10 and have a flick through it al the time ;) ;D 8)

The Soul of a Tree

1st edition 1981 First paper back edtition 1988
Distributed in the United States through Kodansha International Inc , 114 Fifth avenue, New Yourk N.Y. 10011

Regards Chris

Brad_S. · October 02, 2009, 10:59:50 PM

Reid,
I looked for you at the Adirondack Museum show. Saw your lumber and ad in town but never did make it to the museum grounds which is where you must have been.
Sure was some great rustic furniture at that show.

Ironwood · October 03, 2009, 05:56:55 AM

WOW,

if you were impressed in town you would have been blown away as up on the Museum grounds there are some of the best in country.

Ironwood

Lud · October 03, 2009, 06:36:58 AM

So , Brad, ... you're saying you've never seen Yamaguchi's work?

Nakashima..Yamaguchi.....easy mistake to make early in the morning.

People pick my nits all the time. U can 2