First crack at a Slab

**Gunshy** · 10th September 2011, 02:44 AM

Gday,
I thought a might have a go at a slab breakfast bar. I wanted to have a natural edge and I didn't mind if it was a bit "rough", we have removed the hidious wall cabinet that was wasting all that quality space.
Now we have just bought our house so the budget is tight. I went to my local salvage yards looking for a slab of the right size and price. This is what I picked up for $70. Sheoak 2200mm long approx 500mm wide and 45mm thick with a lot of "features"

I went to work trying to level out the lumps and bumps on both sides with a belt sander and spirit level. After about 8hrs of 40grit, 6hrs of 80grit and 4hrs of 120grit I have a level and finish I am happy to work with.

After alot of research thanks to the forum I decided that an epoxy finish would be my best option to prevent further cracking and help fill the major knot hole. My first attempt was to fill the knot hole on the top and a few of what I thought where minor cracks. What a mistake/mess, expoy everywhere except in the cracks. I had a bit more of a think and search for some options, sanded away the epoxy mess and started again. This time working from the bottom first. I masked all cracks, features and edges. Mixed a 250ml mix of Glass Coat epoxy and started to fill. I got about three quarters of the way through and relized 250ml wasn't going to be enough resin, my slab was just sucking it up. In a slight panic I raced down to the local hardware and purchased another batch of glass coat quickly mixed and applied. I wasn't overly happy with the finish. It had a few high and low spots and a little uneveness, but put it down to the time between applications lucky it is the bottom.

I peeled back the masking and was very happy the way the epoxy had filled the cracks and gaps in the slab,

I spent a fair bit more time softening the epoxy edge and finishing the top to 400grit. another layer of glass coat on the top and edges, I am happier with the top finish but not 100% happy with the way the glass coat settled, some low and high points that catch the light.

So here it is mounted and ready for use.

**fubar** · 10th September 2011, 08:47 AM

noice

and welcome to the forum

**Harry72** · 10th September 2011, 09:05 AM

Looks good, money spent well

Those shelf brackets look a little small for the width of the sheoak... got a welder and angle grinder

**Scott** · 10th September 2011, 09:45 AM

Great introduction to the forum Gunshy, welcome!

**BobL** · 10th September 2011, 09:48 AM

Firstly welcome to WWF.

Originally Posted by Harry72

Looks good, money spent well

Those shelf brackets look a little small for the width of the sheoak... got a welder and angle grinder

I agree about the brackets, they don't quite balance the size of the slab - the rest looks good.

**Gunshy** · 10th September 2011, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Harry72

Looks good, money spent well

Those shelf brackets look a little small for the width of the sheoak... got a welder and angle grinder

I was a little worried about that too, the problem I came across was the way the slab tapered, I didn't want to give away the width at one end to accomadate the natural edge, this should show it a little closer.
P.S yes I have a grinder BUT ..... ZERO skill when it comes to welding. The price quoted to get custom welded wrought iron was a long out of the budget.
It was a bit af a tight spot compromise.

**Christos** · 10th September 2011, 09:07 PM

Welcome to the forum. It does look like a neat job and great to see. I am not sure on the brackets as I never mounted a slab to a wall but others have concerns.

What's the next project?

**Harry72** · 10th September 2011, 11:10 PM

Ah I see, yep you would need 4 sizes of bracket. You might be surprised how much custom iron work doesnt cost but yes definably cost more than mass produced brackets!

**cookie48** · 10th September 2011, 11:53 PM

Welcome and congrats on a nice job. Looks good enough to eat of. Rekon it would make a better bar top tho.

**Gunshy** · 11th September 2011, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by Christos

Welcome to the forum. It does look like a neat job and great to see. I am not sure on the brackets as I never mounted a slab to a wall but others have concerns.

What's the next project?

I have a few planter boxes on order from the wife, I have put a small one together out of reclaimed jarah 2x4 and reclaimed 85mm jarah tongue and grove floor boards. Following that I have an outdoor table and two bench seats suitable to seat 10. It is going to be a long productive summer.

**artme** · 11th September 2011, 10:58 AM

G'day Gunshy and welcome aboard!

Very spiphphy job!!

There are some great medullary rays in that slab! Can only imagine what they woul have looked like if the slab had been cut on the quater.

**derekh** · 11th September 2011, 11:22 AM

+1

A great idea for my BILs bar and games room.

Well done
Derek

**Christos** · 11th September 2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Gunshy

I have a few planter boxes on order from the wife, I have put a small one together out of reclaimed jarah 2x4 and reclaimed 85mm jarah tongue and grove floor boards. Following that I have an outdoor table and two bench seats suitable to seat 10. It is going to be a long productive summer.

Cool more work in progress.

Or am I being pushy?

**Tung tied** · 11th September 2011, 11:14 PM

Nice stuff Gunshy.

I love the smell of slab timber in the morning.

Keep up the good work!

Cheers

Bryan

**stoobs99** · 12th September 2011, 10:22 AM

Great job. I'm very jealous of how fast you got on with it. I bought my slabs ages ago and I'm only now getting round to planing them smooth!

Good work!

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