In each bi-monthly episode of DiResta (every other Wednesday at 2pm PT), artist and master builder Jimmy DiResta (Dirty Money, Hammered, Against the Grain, Trash for Cash) lets us into his workshop, to look over his shoulder while he builds whatever strikes his fancy. On this episode of DiResta, Jimmy turns some birch branch slices into a table. – Gareth Branwyn
Materials/Supplies:
- Birch tree branch
- Steel
- Sawdust
- West Systems Epoxy
- Jax metal blackener
- Briwax (solvent-based blend of beeswax and carnauba wax)
Tools:
- Hand saw
- Router
- Belt sander
- Palm sander
- Welder
- Grinder
- Table saw
Jimmy’s Notes:
I had a few birch branches about 7″ in dia. I wanted to make a table. My first thought was to make a group of slices to create a freeform shape, like a bunch of grapes in silhouette. As I began to lay the slices out, I preferred the rectangular shape. I also like the idea of the pattern looking like a small sample of a larger never-ending pattern, with half slices at the edge.
I used a handsaw for the workout and because it can also be dangerous to cut organic shapes on a band saw. I found the epoxy stained the face of the slices, so I had to remove about 1/4″ of each face with a router and 1″ dia. bit. One important thing I learned: the slices need to be dry. I had to wait a few days after I cut up the branch. The final finish is epoxy and Briwax.
More:
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14 thoughts on “DiResta: Slice Table”
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Gareth !! thank you for the love !
Thank YOU for the amazing projects and videos, Jimmy. We’re always excited every time you submit a new one. We were laughing on this one ’cause everyone (okay, several of us) in the office started watching it at the same time at our desks. The sounds o’ Jimmy making echoed throughout the office!
people some times suggest i use music,…. i like the shop sounds. thank you !
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The table looks great! I have a question about the router part though – how do you finish when there’s no more reference material for the plexiglass baseplate to ride on?
i left a small section and removed it with the belt sander thank you for looking and commenting !
That is one cool video…and neat project…keep up the great work Jimmy!!! Thanks.
thank you for watching !!!
Pretty neat. it went from do-able to nope as soon as you brought out the welder, but still neat. One observation in hindsight: If you sealed the bottoms of the slabs before you laid them down would that have saved the massive face-sanding and eventual routing effort?
yes this might have worked… i always learn new stuff, if i do this agin ill approach it differently for sure , thank you for looking
I have seen that design before, but you used bondo that time….. I assume the birch was a leftover. How did you manage to get it to dry out enough for this? (remembering you chiseling it, and getting sprayed back in August) Good to see that you were able to get the top really flat this time. I was surprised at how dark the infill turned out.
i had a little more time to get it right. after cutting up the wood i left it to dry for a few days .. and after i trimmed off a 1/4 of the table, i let it dry for few more days in the boiler room at about 90 deg. the epoxy darkened bc of the saw dust added to it. thank you for watching !
I really love this technique and the way it looks jimmy. i am going to hunt down some branches and get some west system and give it a go ! your work is so different and the techniques you use are some thing i would never think of. ;-) cheers jimmy
Thanks, your videos and life of making have inspired me. Thank you…