Wood inspires me. I bought this slab of Southern Red Cedar from a mill in Waldo, Florida last year and recently put it to use. We needed a small table next to our recliner where we could rest a cup of coffee and a book.

First I searched for a table with four legs at the right height. Yes, I can make legs but I wanted to spend my time and energy on the top. I found this sturdy, round table with peculiar elephant-like legs that were the ideal dimensions. The frame had a wide foot print so I cut it down to 14″ square, then arranged it under the slab to allow for a “waterfall” joint.  The shape of the slab looked like a puddle of cedar that would pour over the edge.

Florida Red Cedar slab: 1″ thick 17″ wide, 4′ long. I counted about 70 rings.

After removing the bark, old channels of wood-boring insects revealed.

The original table top, scratched and weathered, but with nice legs. Thank you Ethan Allen and the Habitat for Humanity of Sebring, Florida.

The base was 18″ wide so I shaved off four inches from the frame.

The legs were scratched and dented over years of service so I sanded them smooth and stained them.

New table top, 45 degree cut with “biscuits” inserted before glue up.

Tab A into slot B.

Clamped and glued for a tight, waterfall seam.

I used two-part epoxy glue to fill the substantial crack, just for stability. Then sanded it smooth.

After sanding with 220 grit, then 400 grit, finally 600 grit sandpaper. I used hand-rubbed polyurethane, so far four applications.

After sanding with 800 grit, applied the fifth coat of hand-rubbed polyurethane. It is matte finish when it dries.

Rounded the edges a little more and applied one more coat of finish.