Transforming a Leftover Wood Slab into a Stunning Desk

The video “BEST…DESK…EVER” is by Foureyes Furniture. In this project, they take a leftover chunk of wood and turn it into a beautiful desk, showcasing their skills and creativity in woodworking and epoxy resin work.

From Boring to Beautiful

This slab may initially appear dull, as it’s just a leftover piece from a previous project, but Foureyes Furniture has a plan to make it shine. The process begins with addressing some rotten wood found on the surface. The team removes the bad wood, ensuring that the slab remains usable while reducing the need for excessive epoxy to fill in gaps.

Removing rotten wood from the slab

Deciding on Edges

After dealing with the rotten section, the creators face a design decision: should they leave the edges natural or cut them straight? With one edge featuring a long, subtle curve, they decide to follow the natural shape, removing knots and softer wood beneath the bark, known as phloem.

Following the natural shape of the edges

Building the Form for Epoxy Pouring

Since they don’t have straight edges to work with, Foureyes Furniture opts to create a partial form around the slab using melamine. This step is crucial as it prevents epoxy from spilling out, which can be quite costly. The humor continues as they compare the price of epoxy to Fiji water, emphasizing that epoxy is one of the more expensive liquids they work with.

Building a form for epoxy pouring

Curing the Epoxy

After the initial pour, they notice that the epoxy is still about half an inch below the top of the slab after 48 hours of curing. They choose a product called Fathom Thick Set from Total Boat, which allows for thicker pours. The creators are familiar with the need for a second touch-up pour, which is often required in these projects.

Checking the epoxy level after curing

Flattening the Slab

Next, they use a CNC machine to flatten the slab. This step is essential, as it ensures the surface is smooth and ready for finishing. Their past experiences have taught them the importance of proper preparation to avoid issues later on.

Flattening the slab on the CNC

Designing the Legs

As the desk takes shape, attention shifts to the legs. The team aims for a unique design that complements the slab while also being functional. They go through several iterations of the design, ultimately landing on a leaning cabinet concept that adds visual interest.

Designing the legs for the desk

Assembly and Finishing Touches

After the legs are constructed, they focus on making the drawers and other components of the desk. The assembly process involves careful measurements and adjustments to ensure everything fits perfectly. They also discuss the importance of using threaded inserts and bolts instead of screws for a more durable and upscale finish.

Assembling the desk components

Final Finishing Steps

Once everything is assembled, Foureyes Furniture moves on to the finishing touches. They apply a water-based polyurethane to enhance the wood’s natural beauty while ensuring a contrast with the epoxy-filled areas. The top is finished with Rubio Monocoat to highlight the grain.

Applying finish to the desk

Conclusion

In the end, what began as a leftover chunk of wood transforms into a stunning desk that showcases the craftsmanship and creativity of Foureyes Furniture. The combination of natural wood and epoxy creates a unique piece that is both functional and beautiful.

The finished desk ready for sale

Video

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