Pecan Desk - From Log to Desk

[alex grams]

Todd, I did mill it myself, but there is a sawmill up near Denton with a dehumidification kiln that I rent some space in so I could get it dried down to ~8% MC.

[David Spurr]

Man, that looks good!

[Chris Cohick]

There is a lot to like about this piece. Saving the log from the burn pile, to walnut inlay on the legs, to the cool contrast between live edge and refined cabinets. I fully intend to borrow from your design Thanks for sharing!

[Matt Hegedus]

That's badass man. Seriously beautiful.

Is there a big difference in how you finish d the top slab vs the sides and legs? It seems like the top has more color and pop, which is one of the reasons I think it's so interesting.

Thanks

[Jerry Olexa]

Beautiful wood and great job!!!!

[Todd Burch]

What was the "as cut" thickness, what was the thickness once dried, and what is the final thickness? How did you plane it down when preparing the top?

Thanks, Todd

[alex grams]

as cut I believe was 2". The dried thickness was maybe around 1-7/8". I have a 38" woodmaster drum sander that I use to sand them down flat when I get them back from the kiln. The kiln has a CNC router table they run an end mill bit on for leveling large slabs that took it down to about 1-5/8" then I sanded it down to about 1.5". I have them do enough flattening on their CNC table that I have parallel faces (but usually still have some low spots from uneven shrinkage) then I just start with 60 or 80 grit on the drum sander to flatten the faces, then run up to 180 and hand sand above that.