For my free inquiry project I have decided to make a side table out of a live edge slab of wood. For the wood type I am contemplating using Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Yellow Cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis), or possibly Western Maple (Acer macrophyllum). I have many options because I am concerned about the availability and price point of the actual slab, I left myself open to options, so I can find the best price point for the piece I will purchase. This will not be a regular side table. My family and I are avid cribbage players, the first time I played crib was with my grandfather, he taught me the ins and outs of the game. My grandfather is in his 80s currently and I wanted to pay a tribute to my grandfather for introducing me to the great game of cribbage. So, I have decided for this side table I will create a large cribbage board that is the size of a large side table. The small cribbage boards that you can purchase at many stores are nice for travelling and playing on a table-top but I want to build something that is stationary and will be a centerpiece on our outdoor patio.

The Plan: 

  1. Procure the piece of wood
  2. Hand plane
  3. Sand
  4. Drill holes for the cribbage board
  5. Some personal touches (for my grandfather)
  6. Potentially epoxy the piece to make it rectangular (still thinking on this one)
  7. Sand again
  8. Finish with stain or clear coat

For this piece I want to finish the top and see what the finished product looks like before I decide on the base of the project. I am thinking either a nice stump or some drift wood pieces made into legs for the supports on the bottom. I could also go a different route with a nicely welded metal base or perhaps copper piping would look nice for a nice steam punk look. That decision will be made closer to when the top is finished, so I can match the bottom to the top.

Ideas: 

Live Edge Top

Image From: https://imgur.com/gallery/JcdL9rX#I9cu6t0 (mikeytreno)

Copper Piping Legs

Small table, oak worktop offcut

Image From: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/508343876694060692/ (Pete Whelan)

Drift Wood or Stump for Legs

Double Stump Rustic REAL Wood Dining Table

Image From: https://logfurnitureplace.com/cedar-lake-solid-wood-double-stump-