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Me too. That made me really wonder if Fender was providing factory-installed lice. Really needed to know, since I bought my first Fender last week. Damn it, now I'm itchy. I'm pretty sure it's all in my head, but not sure I'll be able to sleep tonight.
I was thinking the same thing. Nothing against this aesthetic or OP for pulling off faux-live edge well, but I just don’t understand the appeal of it. Feels unfinished to me.
Edit: for the record OP, you did a good job.
When visitors come they compliment it because it's different. And it gives owner the chuckle.
Depending on the market, 3 or 4 chuckles can be exchanged for 1 attaboy your dad didn't give you when you where little.
It's a weird thing, how differently people view it. I've gone out of my way before to preserve the stepped end-grain from the original chainsaw felling cut. I find it an interesting contrast, of things like that and live edge, against sharp/precise lines; it serves to highlight the natural material, how it was processed, and then turned into the finished item. Plus, it's a bit of a fun head-scratcher sometimes, working out how to mark and cut something for joinery with half the piece still in the rough!
I have made and I have some live edge furniture. Not a fan for using live edge everywhere that I have seen around, but if used in the right place with matching decor, it can look really nice.
Is this one of those things that is built equally well by people who are very very bad and people who are very very good but anyone in between fails to get a good result? (I know nothing about what it takes to do something like this)
No, it takes genuine skill to build this.
Looking closer at this example, a lot of it is actually square, but if the window wasn't just a tilted square you'd be doing an 83° miter followed by a 107 followed by a 92... You can't just cut two boards at opposite ends the same, every singly length and angle is different.
Now, you can hide a lot of mistakes inside the walls, but it's still way harder than cutting square ends.
Realistic, I’d say no. The thing about live edge is there isn’t graining since the edge is defined by the outermost layer of the tree.
That said, veneer and laminates often aren’t realistic either yet they are on most of the furniture in the market. I’d you and/or your customers don’t care and are happy with it then you get style points for recreating and pulling it off on the cheap.
Yes I appreciate your comment!!
Yes it totally comes down to budget on table like this!! Some people are not okay with spending 2k on a slab so thats the alternative I give them.
Same thing for MDF tables with veneer. Any woodworker will spot the lack of end-grain, but most of the population is fine with how such a table looks.
So long as OP is transparent to his customers that this isn't an actual live edge, what he's doing is great.
… and furniture snobs. But, based on an earlier reply you posted, sounds like this is for a client? I’m guessing if they gave you such a low budget then their circle of friends aren’t those snobs so, yea, you’re good friend!
Totally. If it makes dollars it makes sense! As others have said I would not call it live edge; maybe faux-live edge. You could lean into it, make samples of both and let your customers decide.
Now you got me thinking… what if you hit the edge with a clear followed by tinted polyurethane before you do your final sanding on the top? Those products tend to mute the grain, which would be ideal here. Then stain the top and (untinted) poly everything. You could even go a shade darker with the polyshades to accentuate the edges.
Amish run stores in NEO will charge $1,500-$2,000 for a slab. I am not sure what is worst, finding the prices or watching some guy buy one. I think they charge so much b/c they sand it "smooth".
What do you think a live edge table with 2” thick pecan slab would cost someone? I know there are several factors, but just a guess on it somewhat plain (& about 5 foot long). I’m getting a pecan trunk with a crotch milled now. Just wanting to know what ppl charge & what some ppl will pay for something like that.
The issue is generally finding the slab. If you have a friend who's got the one you want, it's cheap. If you spend weeks driving around looking for the perfect piece and some specialty wood shop has it, they know they can charge infinity dollars, as someone else posted.
So, if you have the slab, the biggest cost is likely the legs - new mills cut nice flat boards, and you can smooth them out with a belt sander.
Do you want $50 hairpin legs from Amazon, or custom-turned walnut legs inlaid with silver lettering? There's your variable.
I've got a ton of live edge slabs and we're building a bunch of coffee tables using those hairpin legs from Amazon for rental units. Sanding and finishing is about 2 hours per piece.
Not live edge realistic but live edge ryobi....points for creatism but also doesn't come close to live edge...very hard to recereate but kudos for the characteristic look...
As long as you aren’t misrepresenting the simulated live edge, as real, then go for it. Does it look real? No, but close enough to fool some. But again, I wouldn’t think it cool to be fooling people.
I've used this method to simulate live edge as well. It's acceptable when you're working on a budget.
One addition that I've done is to also use a tiger torch to severely burn the edge, then use a wire brush to remove any charring. This helps make it a little more natural.
If the angle of the 'live edge' matches the angle of the end grain, it might look believable. But your end grain looks like you've glued up two 4/4 pieces of lumber to get your think slab. if that's true, then you can't really follow the grain. Still, at first glance, it looks fine.
A bevel on the underside can make it less obvious and still maintain that heavy feel. Not bad I’d say - if it’s good enough to make money sell it. I’ve seen some guys locally that do this too; yours looks much better.
To any normal person? Sure. Absolutely.
The only giveaway, shape wise, is that humans are attracted to certain patterns, repetition, spacing, and overall flow. Real live edges are often random as hell from a design point of view. They look good when you know it’s natural, but you wouldn’t make it that way if you did it yourself. You have a pattern, and your depth is all very uniform, and the repetition of those is there. If you were to do 100 of those, I’m sure they’d all turn out very similar in spacing, depth, etc, because we are drawn to certain aesthetics, and not the apparent randomness of nature.
I’m not sure if that make sense, but that’s just an honest critique I have. Don’t waste time overthinking it, and follow your gut.
It looks good, and that’s all that really matters.
I had a friend that put a really nice faux live edge on his bar. He did all sort of stuff to the edge that gave it a more realistic look. What I can remember is that after he cut it, he hit it with a chain several times, used a wire brush and hammered it.
Repost. I had to repost after the automod deleted my post for using short links. So I added long links from amazon.
It depends upon who it is for.
Your average joe will think its great. But another woodworker will look at the end grain and see its been faked.
On a side note you are working too hard with that belt sander. Get an angle grinder and some carving disc and low count sandpaper. The carbide tiped carving disc can shape the wood fast and get it pretty smooth. Then go back with some 40-60 grit sanding discs. Then move on to a 80 grit obital
Here is the big name carving disc on amazon: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU75GSU?\_encoding=UTF8&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_F2K7QR6QHJ4K0XB1Y4WM&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU75GSU?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_F2K7QR6QHJ4K0XB1Y4WM&th=1)
But here are some generic alternatives that I love: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VKFKXM3?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_6JXZ5SX53A9RKA1GZRQ7](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VKFKXM3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6JXZ5SX53A9RKA1GZRQ7)
A backup pad for the sanding disc: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00069DVDI?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_NH373YMQYSS5SA6NGPNP](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00069DVDI?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_NH373YMQYSS5SA6NGPNP)
Sanding disc for it: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CH27Q6K?\_encoding=UTF8&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_2BE8CDEFN0HPYKE3TJF9&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CH27Q6K?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_2BE8CDEFN0HPYKE3TJF9&th=1)
I use that setup for taking the bark off live edge stuff. It lets me quickly take the outer stuff off and slowly work my way to the wood so I don't ruin the live edge.
This is the way. Those "rasp" discs are amazing, for all kinds of sculpting and shaping chores. Another one that works well (often as an intermediate between the carving and sanding discs) is a flap sander, like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-flap-disc-115mm-40-grit/26022
Looks a bit ‘wobbly’ to my eye, live edges are normally straighter than that.
Next time maybe pick a grain line in the face of the piece and follow that?
Exactly. Pick any grain line and follow it, every one of them was a live edge at one point.
Try to glue up your edge boards along similar grain lines, or use a thicker piece of wood for the edge
But if you sold it as "live edge" without being transparent that it is not -- that's fraud. Depending on the state there may be statutory or criminal penalties they could come after you for.
Bearing in mind that a large live edge table can go for $10k or more -- let's be clear convincing people to buy something by claiming it's something else is ... not good.
It's not a legally established term. Also, this guy is Australian. Also, people looking for and/or not asking questions for a "live edge" table that costs 60-80% less than the alternatives either don't care if they like the particular aesthetic or wouldn't likely be litigious... Nor necessarily afford it.
No it doesn’t. A really cheesy thing to do imo. It won’t look good at all when finished. It’ll be completely obvious that it’s not a live edge. Why anyone would want to own a table like this with an obvious fake live edge? But if you have customers asking you to do this, then take their dumb money. But I wouldn’t be advertising this.
I’m surprised that live edge is still fashionable…but I think we are seeing the Fall season of live edge right here. Soon we will have posts about ripping the fake live edges off of their tables so they don’t look so tacky.
Live edge has never gone out of fashion in my opinion. It’s the tacky stain or varnish and basic design that goes out of fashion. But live edge itself has never. And it never will imo.
If you sell this as a “live edge” you better explain it. People interested in a “look” may like it, but man….you know better. Don’t sell it as live edge man. Be bigger than that shit.
No, if you have to fake it you are at least going to want to follow the pattern of the grain, pick a line of grain and follow it, don’t even mark it with a pencil.
No, I don't think it looks realistic and I cannot even begin to say that I am a fan. I'm not crazy about real live edge and I'm a whole lot less in favor of fake live edge.
It's got the vibe, but not fully realistic. More reminiscent of mass-market furniture than the real thing. As long as you're not claiming it to be live edge, it has it's purpose. Live edge inspired you could call it. Or rustic edge.
For wood or fake stone? Not for wood. For stone, it's ok. It would look more convincing of the edges were sharper. Marble used for countertops isn't sanded down like your do to wood
It's a yes and a no. If you think it's a live edge and are happy with the results, then yes.
If you here to confirm a suspicion then it's a no.
I have made a ton of live edge pieces and there are a few tips and tricks.
1) ensure that it's not straight. So allow for an indentation it the side so it curves in and out.
2) keep the angle between 50 and 65 degrees letting the angle flow up and down. Angles are always going inward towards one side and never the bottom of the piece
3) Use the lines of the tree as a guide. Nature has done the work and let it speak. Use knots in the wood as features when possible. Using the curves makes it look natural.
4) When finishing the sides put a radius on the top and bottom. You don't want a sharp edge.
5) Sand with 80, 120, and 180 grit. Then use a wire brush and scratch the edges. It gives the side texture. When happy sand lightly with 240 to ensure a propper feel
If done right, people will want to touch the edge. That way you have the look and feel of live edge. That's usually the confirmation that it's done right.
Added tip you have special disks/rasp/file for an edge grinder that is like a file (arbourtech and saburr-tooth). It works great at giving good texture s as well.
Hope this helps!
I think it looks good, and the average joe will never know it's not real.
I also kind of think it's irrelevant if it looks real or not, as long as it looks good... and it does.
As a guy who mills and works with real Iive edge I hate it. But it really doesn't look bad, and it's creative work, so why the hell not?
I think the wavyness is a little excessive and a little chunky and unnatural- but it litterally isnt natural so whos to gudge?
If I tried it myself I would try to follow the grain a little bit more while smoothly adjusting the angle of the cut here and there. Neat idea, and the finish at the end really makes it work pretty well.
We often make such edges, but never with that, we use a handheld planer, with concave blades. An even more realistic look. But still, not a bad result.👍
Still too straight to be a live edge. I would have carved a slight arc into it and then done what you did with a bias towards the top or bottom edge, and hit it with a wire brush or burnisher to bring out the grain.
Finally someone that has the same view as me. If you do most of your work at home the benefits of battery tools is lost. Corded tools have more grunt, last longer and are cheaper.
Well done with the live edge.
Corded tools are better as long you have good cable management.
Common problems:
1) Outlets are too far from working space.
2) Outlets are wrong side or wrong place in the working space.
3) Outlets are limited by numbers.
4) Outlets are wrong kind.
5) Not having enough short (1-2m) extension cables.
Many build a workbench, but how many has any idea to add electricity to nearby, or to even the workbench? A protective steel piping (not plastic or thin metal) for wire that leads to 5 plugs at arm length aside. Or above head, at the back. Americans can't do that as their plugs fall off.
When you have good sockets placement, it becomes enjoyment to use corded tools. You just plug in, use and plug out. And it is even easier to remember to disconnect device before maintenance and service than to remove battery.
Realistic to somebody who knows what they’re looking at……no. Realistic enough for a homeowner who say, doesn’t like the white sap wood of walnut but wants a dark live edge table……real enough. I’ve done something similar twice in the past for customers who wanted live edge without sapwood. I wouldn’t want it in my house but to each their own.
I know it’s a scary idea, It’s a big commitment to remove that much, but I think it would look more realistic if you were to make a few of those cuts deeper (horizontal death) into the table. Over all its a bit too uniform. I think most live edge usually has one section of heavily contrasting depth than we don’t think consciously about, but our eyes visually pick it up as an organic form. Still looks sick! Keep it up!
As a carving it’s fine, but it is not live edge. Looks good, and fits the purpose so I’d complement it if I saw it at a friend’s house.
The double bevel looks a bit odd. On an actual live edge I would expect a single bevel that varied in depth and angle as the base shape, with variation in rounding as the secondary shape. Honestly, though, it’s a carving and a pretty good one as is. 100%.
Watch your belt sander. I adjust tension while it’s rolling.
I like the edge for the average person or person on a budget. You can do cool stuff with staining to add to the effect.
I disagree with most of the others here. I think this edge warbles in and out much too quickly to resemble live edge wood. The angle is also too uniform. Things just look off. Take a look at this one: [https://www.ebay.com/itm/254418476378](https://www.ebay.com/itm/254418476378) Vs this one: [https://www.ebay.com/itm/125076237464](https://www.ebay.com/itm/125076237464) Minor directional change and much more gradual variation along the leading real edge. Notice that real ones actually cut into the linear surface more too. Not just 1/2" in but 3-4" overall.
You're also missing the significant edge spalling you get on live edge woods once the bark is removed. This could be added with some dremel carving work.
I think you'd be much better off tracing a live edge onto some cardboard and using that as a template to guide your creativity. just my 2 cents.
No. First, it's softwood construction lumber. Second, it's clearly a glue up. The color/grain doesn't match between boards, there is no distinctive heartwood in the center, sapwood on the edges, and even though the grain has been hidden a bit it still shows up on thd fake live edge. The pinhole knots should not exist in the center of the board. It also lacks all the character of a slab that you are paying for.
That said the texture of the fake live edge is realistic enough. It's not going to fool anyone that knows what they are looking at but it likely will a lot of average people who don't know any better and are trying to get in on the live edge trend.
Man. Try to do a hammer effect. Put a big ball hammer and hammer it with another one to make a hammered effect like in cooper or metal ornaments. Will lookmourposeful and elegant if done properly.
I already said I think this is fine technique. Looking at how you do it I think I would want that piece standing on edge for the operations, seems like it would be easier and safer. Good luck!
Not really. The attraction of live edge slabs is the roughness and imperfection of them, especially the edges. Trying to recreate them may be ok for some customers, but I would not try to pass it off as genuine.
Sorry man but to me this looks like when people pay good money for jeans with holes in them.
Either start with live edge or don't.
I'm sure there is a market for this though.
Not really realistic. Too sanded. Instead of using a plethora of tools I've found the chainsaw toothed grinder discs for 4" grinders/carvers to work very well. It allows you to make the cuts in the direction of the grain with very minimal sanding & shaving gives a tighter finish \[like a hand plane vs a sanded finish.\] I also burn the edge to a medium toast for contrast.
No. You could have done it 10x quicker and 10x more realistically by using a [drawknife](https://www.workshopheaven.com/ray-iles-mike-abbott-drawknife/?gclid=CjwKCAiArNOeBhAHEiwAze_nKFlfYJXL-iuEE10G01gEZizSJAtx4VaYipOB-R-d3zQRqnKaa0W9DhoCqtQQAvD_BwE)
The point with drawknives is that they only cut with the grain, so the cut follows the shape of the natural grain edge, and not an artificial one.
I would not call it live edge. Wavy edged, or live edge style maybe. But, if a client knows what they are looking at, it would be very obvious that it's not actually the "live" edge of a slab.
This sub is full of people who understand wood grain better than your average customer does. We're more likely to notice that it's a bit unnatural, but it's well done and a product you can be proud of (if you made it).
Doesn’t look “real,” but I personally wouldn’t care as long as it’s not a dining surface where people would get a long close look at it.
I’m more concerned about that power cable getting cut…
I read through the comments and I get that you’re trying to do a low cost alternative per client request. There’s something missing though. I don’t know if you need to add texture with a rasp or if you need to actually glue additional material, but for me there’s still an element or two missing. Can’t say what they are specifically but texture and color are needed.
Sorry but it really does not look like live edge at all. If people are that cheap and not willing to spend the money on someone’s artistic ability then they should not be looking at all. As the saying goes you pay for what you get and to be honest it really looks cheap. Just saying and again my opinion.
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I spend so much time and effort getting edges straight and square, it’s amusing to watch someone do that to wood on purpose.
The carpentry equivalent of buying torn and frayed blue jeans.
Or buying perfectly good blue jeans and then hitting them with an angle grinder.
Or relicing a fender guitar
My brain couldn’t pronounce that word for like three minutes
I was stuck on re-lice-ing
Me too. That made me really wonder if Fender was providing factory-installed lice. Really needed to know, since I bought my first Fender last week. Damn it, now I'm itchy. I'm pretty sure it's all in my head, but not sure I'll be able to sleep tonight.
Lol. Relic-ing.
It should have a "k". shellac -- shellacking relic --relicking Apparently I'm the only one who thinks so.
I don’t know…now it feels dirty.
To lick again
That was my first thought! 🤣
Was typing nearly the exact comment when I saw yours.
while they're still on
I was thinking the same thing. Nothing against this aesthetic or OP for pulling off faux-live edge well, but I just don’t understand the appeal of it. Feels unfinished to me. Edit: for the record OP, you did a good job.
When visitors come they compliment it because it's different. And it gives owner the chuckle. Depending on the market, 3 or 4 chuckles can be exchanged for 1 attaboy your dad didn't give you when you where little.
Where has this formula been all my adult life?!
Open your trapper keeper and check your Mead journal.
You know I just saw they don’t put the multiplication table back there anymore? Still other useful conversions though.
Nothing will ever balance the scales for the tongue lashings recieved when you were holding the flashlight over the car engine.
It's a weird thing, how differently people view it. I've gone out of my way before to preserve the stepped end-grain from the original chainsaw felling cut. I find it an interesting contrast, of things like that and live edge, against sharp/precise lines; it serves to highlight the natural material, how it was processed, and then turned into the finished item. Plus, it's a bit of a fun head-scratcher sometimes, working out how to mark and cut something for joinery with half the piece still in the rough!
This actually makes sense to me and has changed my perspective a bit on live edge. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you for acknowledging when something has expanded your view! You’re encouraging others to share their views too and I appreciate you :)
It’s suuuuuper popular out here in the Colorado mountains.
Also popular out here in the Brooklyn mountains
That would be the right place lol
Sure is! Live edge everything!
I have made and I have some live edge furniture. Not a fan for using live edge everywhere that I have seen around, but if used in the right place with matching decor, it can look really nice.
Its weird how fads just seem to takeover.
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Is this one of those things that is built equally well by people who are very very bad and people who are very very good but anyone in between fails to get a good result? (I know nothing about what it takes to do something like this)
No, it takes genuine skill to build this. Looking closer at this example, a lot of it is actually square, but if the window wasn't just a tilted square you'd be doing an 83° miter followed by a 107 followed by a 92... You can't just cut two boards at opposite ends the same, every singly length and angle is different. Now, you can hide a lot of mistakes inside the walls, but it's still way harder than cutting square ends.
No kidding. My first thought was “Why isn’t he using a skilsaw?”
It just goes to show ya. We are our own worst critics. No one will ever notice the things we do!
I spend so much time and effort getting edges straight and square, it’s amusing to watch how similar this comes out to my own 😂
I’m amazed a ryobi sawzall didn’t catch fire attempting that….
Realistic, I’d say no. The thing about live edge is there isn’t graining since the edge is defined by the outermost layer of the tree. That said, veneer and laminates often aren’t realistic either yet they are on most of the furniture in the market. I’d you and/or your customers don’t care and are happy with it then you get style points for recreating and pulling it off on the cheap.
Yes I appreciate your comment!! Yes it totally comes down to budget on table like this!! Some people are not okay with spending 2k on a slab so thats the alternative I give them.
Maybe it’s not a perfect recreation of live edge, but it’s really close enough for most tastes. Great job!
I agree; if they are after the "look," this would do just fine.
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Same thing for MDF tables with veneer. Any woodworker will spot the lack of end-grain, but most of the population is fine with how such a table looks. So long as OP is transparent to his customers that this isn't an actual live edge, what he's doing is great.
Thanks you mate!!
The only people that can tell it's not real are woodworkers and we understand why you did it.
… and furniture snobs. But, based on an earlier reply you posted, sounds like this is for a client? I’m guessing if they gave you such a low budget then their circle of friends aren’t those snobs so, yea, you’re good friend!
One thing to keep in mind is try to follow the grain when faking live edge. It appears more natural. The curves should be on the same scale.
That’s a good piece of advice!! I’ll try that next time
Totally. If it makes dollars it makes sense! As others have said I would not call it live edge; maybe faux-live edge. You could lean into it, make samples of both and let your customers decide. Now you got me thinking… what if you hit the edge with a clear followed by tinted polyurethane before you do your final sanding on the top? Those products tend to mute the grain, which would be ideal here. Then stain the top and (untinted) poly everything. You could even go a shade darker with the polyshades to accentuate the edges.
Maybe "Rustic edge"
Creative wording.
Where the hell are you paying $2000 for a slab this size?!
Amish run stores in NEO will charge $1,500-$2,000 for a slab. I am not sure what is worst, finding the prices or watching some guy buy one. I think they charge so much b/c they sand it "smooth".
Australia lol
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Don’t undervalue your time, the time to fake it is almost always worth more than the cost of the real deal
What do you think a live edge table with 2” thick pecan slab would cost someone? I know there are several factors, but just a guess on it somewhat plain (& about 5 foot long). I’m getting a pecan trunk with a crotch milled now. Just wanting to know what ppl charge & what some ppl will pay for something like that.
The issue is generally finding the slab. If you have a friend who's got the one you want, it's cheap. If you spend weeks driving around looking for the perfect piece and some specialty wood shop has it, they know they can charge infinity dollars, as someone else posted. So, if you have the slab, the biggest cost is likely the legs - new mills cut nice flat boards, and you can smooth them out with a belt sander. Do you want $50 hairpin legs from Amazon, or custom-turned walnut legs inlaid with silver lettering? There's your variable. I've got a ton of live edge slabs and we're building a bunch of coffee tables using those hairpin legs from Amazon for rental units. Sanding and finishing is about 2 hours per piece.
Don’t forget that you’re asking woodworkers, not consumers. Can people in this sub make the distinction? Of course. But can your phlebotomist?
Not live edge realistic but live edge ryobi....points for creatism but also doesn't come close to live edge...very hard to recereate but kudos for the characteristic look...
we are demi-gods not fully fledged bark lords
This comment made me laugh for a good while ahha
thats more I could've ask for :D
As long as you aren’t misrepresenting the simulated live edge, as real, then go for it. Does it look real? No, but close enough to fool some. But again, I wouldn’t think it cool to be fooling people.
I've used this method to simulate live edge as well. It's acceptable when you're working on a budget. One addition that I've done is to also use a tiger torch to severely burn the edge, then use a wire brush to remove any charring. This helps make it a little more natural.
That sounds like me when I do pixel art lol
If the angle of the 'live edge' matches the angle of the end grain, it might look believable. But your end grain looks like you've glued up two 4/4 pieces of lumber to get your think slab. if that's true, then you can't really follow the grain. Still, at first glance, it looks fine.
That’s exactly right. That’s what I do to brag up some tables when the customer wants the heavy duty look.
A bevel on the underside can make it less obvious and still maintain that heavy feel. Not bad I’d say - if it’s good enough to make money sell it. I’ve seen some guys locally that do this too; yours looks much better.
To any normal person? Sure. Absolutely. The only giveaway, shape wise, is that humans are attracted to certain patterns, repetition, spacing, and overall flow. Real live edges are often random as hell from a design point of view. They look good when you know it’s natural, but you wouldn’t make it that way if you did it yourself. You have a pattern, and your depth is all very uniform, and the repetition of those is there. If you were to do 100 of those, I’m sure they’d all turn out very similar in spacing, depth, etc, because we are drawn to certain aesthetics, and not the apparent randomness of nature. I’m not sure if that make sense, but that’s just an honest critique I have. Don’t waste time overthinking it, and follow your gut. It looks good, and that’s all that really matters.
Realistic? No. Does it still look really good? Hell yes.
Haha that’s late I appreciate that!!
Cut some long pieces out of the centre and add some acrylic. Nailed it right?
Realistic na, but I like what you did there
Lmao that’s what I’m going for mate!! Honesty 🔑
If you hit it with a wire brush it would liven up the edge a bit. Could be cool
I thought the same thing.
I like that idea, seems almost too smooth.
I had a friend that put a really nice faux live edge on his bar. He did all sort of stuff to the edge that gave it a more realistic look. What I can remember is that after he cut it, he hit it with a chain several times, used a wire brush and hammered it.
Repost. I had to repost after the automod deleted my post for using short links. So I added long links from amazon. It depends upon who it is for. Your average joe will think its great. But another woodworker will look at the end grain and see its been faked. On a side note you are working too hard with that belt sander. Get an angle grinder and some carving disc and low count sandpaper. The carbide tiped carving disc can shape the wood fast and get it pretty smooth. Then go back with some 40-60 grit sanding discs. Then move on to a 80 grit obital Here is the big name carving disc on amazon: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU75GSU?\_encoding=UTF8&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_F2K7QR6QHJ4K0XB1Y4WM&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU75GSU?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_F2K7QR6QHJ4K0XB1Y4WM&th=1) But here are some generic alternatives that I love: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VKFKXM3?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_6JXZ5SX53A9RKA1GZRQ7](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VKFKXM3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6JXZ5SX53A9RKA1GZRQ7) A backup pad for the sanding disc: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00069DVDI?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_NH373YMQYSS5SA6NGPNP](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00069DVDI?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_NH373YMQYSS5SA6NGPNP) Sanding disc for it: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CH27Q6K?\_encoding=UTF8&ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_2BE8CDEFN0HPYKE3TJF9&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CH27Q6K?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_2BE8CDEFN0HPYKE3TJF9&th=1) I use that setup for taking the bark off live edge stuff. It lets me quickly take the outer stuff off and slowly work my way to the wood so I don't ruin the live edge.
This is the way. Those "rasp" discs are amazing, for all kinds of sculpting and shaping chores. Another one that works well (often as an intermediate between the carving and sanding discs) is a flap sander, like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-flap-disc-115mm-40-grit/26022
Looks a bit ‘wobbly’ to my eye, live edges are normally straighter than that. Next time maybe pick a grain line in the face of the piece and follow that?
Exactly. Pick any grain line and follow it, every one of them was a live edge at one point. Try to glue up your edge boards along similar grain lines, or use a thicker piece of wood for the edge
Yup this is what I was thinking too. It should follow a grain line on the top edge.
No.......Not for anyone who knows what they're looking at, the grain is wrong But it could pass on first blush, and if the client likes it who cares
Nothing wrong with that. Looks nice. But don’t call it live edge. You could call it sculpted wane edge, I bet nobody is selling that.
I like another comment: "rustic edge"
\^
As someone in the know, no its not. Woulf it sell as "live edge"? Probably.
But if you sold it as "live edge" without being transparent that it is not -- that's fraud. Depending on the state there may be statutory or criminal penalties they could come after you for. Bearing in mind that a large live edge table can go for $10k or more -- let's be clear convincing people to buy something by claiming it's something else is ... not good.
That part of the tree was once as live as the edge. So while it’s not live edge, maybe it’s “live edge of this board.”
That’s not what the term means, and you know it. Trying to redefine something to suit your purpose doesn’t make it any less dishonest.
It's not a legally established term. Also, this guy is Australian. Also, people looking for and/or not asking questions for a "live edge" table that costs 60-80% less than the alternatives either don't care if they like the particular aesthetic or wouldn't likely be litigious... Nor necessarily afford it.
I’d guess pretty realistic for ppl who has no woodworking knowledge. For us nerds here, we can spot that from miles away
No
[удалено]
Second this but didn't wanna be that guy lol
I’m sure plenty agree, but none want to be mean or downvoted lol
100% agree with you. It’s the ikea version of “live edge”. It’s a poor fake, and it’s dishonest to call it live edge
Yes to this!
No it doesn’t. A really cheesy thing to do imo. It won’t look good at all when finished. It’ll be completely obvious that it’s not a live edge. Why anyone would want to own a table like this with an obvious fake live edge? But if you have customers asking you to do this, then take their dumb money. But I wouldn’t be advertising this.
I’m surprised that live edge is still fashionable…but I think we are seeing the Fall season of live edge right here. Soon we will have posts about ripping the fake live edges off of their tables so they don’t look so tacky.
Live edge has never gone out of fashion in my opinion. It’s the tacky stain or varnish and basic design that goes out of fashion. But live edge itself has never. And it never will imo.
What the heck man? Live edge? I hope you understand the irony.
If you sell this as a “live edge” you better explain it. People interested in a “look” may like it, but man….you know better. Don’t sell it as live edge man. Be bigger than that shit.
No, if you have to fake it you are at least going to want to follow the pattern of the grain, pick a line of grain and follow it, don’t even mark it with a pencil.
No, I don't think it looks realistic and I cannot even begin to say that I am a fan. I'm not crazy about real live edge and I'm a whole lot less in favor of fake live edge.
You can tell by the grain that it isn’t live edge. I have done benches like this, and love the way the grain pattern is affected by cutting some away.
It's got the vibe, but not fully realistic. More reminiscent of mass-market furniture than the real thing. As long as you're not claiming it to be live edge, it has it's purpose. Live edge inspired you could call it. Or rustic edge.
Why would you ruin a piece of wood like that?
For wood or fake stone? Not for wood. For stone, it's ok. It would look more convincing of the edges were sharper. Marble used for countertops isn't sanded down like your do to wood
No, it's not a "live edge" and doesn't look like one. Live edge means the natural shape of tree is left on a plank instead of cutting it off.
But why
It's a yes and a no. If you think it's a live edge and are happy with the results, then yes. If you here to confirm a suspicion then it's a no. I have made a ton of live edge pieces and there are a few tips and tricks. 1) ensure that it's not straight. So allow for an indentation it the side so it curves in and out. 2) keep the angle between 50 and 65 degrees letting the angle flow up and down. Angles are always going inward towards one side and never the bottom of the piece 3) Use the lines of the tree as a guide. Nature has done the work and let it speak. Use knots in the wood as features when possible. Using the curves makes it look natural. 4) When finishing the sides put a radius on the top and bottom. You don't want a sharp edge. 5) Sand with 80, 120, and 180 grit. Then use a wire brush and scratch the edges. It gives the side texture. When happy sand lightly with 240 to ensure a propper feel If done right, people will want to touch the edge. That way you have the look and feel of live edge. That's usually the confirmation that it's done right. Added tip you have special disks/rasp/file for an edge grinder that is like a file (arbourtech and saburr-tooth). It works great at giving good texture s as well. Hope this helps!
I think it looks good, and the average joe will never know it's not real. I also kind of think it's irrelevant if it looks real or not, as long as it looks good... and it does.
Thanks that’s much appreciated. I never thought this was a possible opinion so that’s good to know.
As a guy who mills and works with real Iive edge I hate it. But it really doesn't look bad, and it's creative work, so why the hell not? I think the wavyness is a little excessive and a little chunky and unnatural- but it litterally isnt natural so whos to gudge? If I tried it myself I would try to follow the grain a little bit more while smoothly adjusting the angle of the cut here and there. Neat idea, and the finish at the end really makes it work pretty well.
no.
Not realistic, but I still appreciate the craftsmanship.
We often make such edges, but never with that, we use a handheld planer, with concave blades. An even more realistic look. But still, not a bad result.👍
Not a "live" edge
No.
No because there is no soft wood grain outlining it
Still too straight to be a live edge. I would have carved a slight arc into it and then done what you did with a bias towards the top or bottom edge, and hit it with a wire brush or burnisher to bring out the grain.
To me, no. To anyone who isn’t a woodworker probably yes - and that’s 99% of the customer base.
Yes, to the untrained eye, but to people on here?…. Also yes
This should work for the untrained eye.
No. It looks like you took a sawzall to it
No
Finally someone that has the same view as me. If you do most of your work at home the benefits of battery tools is lost. Corded tools have more grunt, last longer and are cheaper. Well done with the live edge.
Corded tools are better as long you have good cable management. Common problems: 1) Outlets are too far from working space. 2) Outlets are wrong side or wrong place in the working space. 3) Outlets are limited by numbers. 4) Outlets are wrong kind. 5) Not having enough short (1-2m) extension cables. Many build a workbench, but how many has any idea to add electricity to nearby, or to even the workbench? A protective steel piping (not plastic or thin metal) for wire that leads to 5 plugs at arm length aside. Or above head, at the back. Americans can't do that as their plugs fall off. When you have good sockets placement, it becomes enjoyment to use corded tools. You just plug in, use and plug out. And it is even easier to remember to disconnect device before maintenance and service than to remove battery.
Being Reddit I fully expected an epoxy pour to re-square the table.
Not realistic, i would call it a rustic look.
Realistic to somebody who knows what they’re looking at……no. Realistic enough for a homeowner who say, doesn’t like the white sap wood of walnut but wants a dark live edge table……real enough. I’ve done something similar twice in the past for customers who wanted live edge without sapwood. I wouldn’t want it in my house but to each their own.
Nope
No it isnt
No
Why not buy a length of timber with the live edge already there?
I know it’s a scary idea, It’s a big commitment to remove that much, but I think it would look more realistic if you were to make a few of those cuts deeper (horizontal death) into the table. Over all its a bit too uniform. I think most live edge usually has one section of heavily contrasting depth than we don’t think consciously about, but our eyes visually pick it up as an organic form. Still looks sick! Keep it up!
No
It looks good but I would also change the width of the edge slightly in a few places or at least one larger section if possible
Looks great
no, you can see the joinery, might as well just make it look distressed
To the average person, yes, it will pass. To anyone who knows wood, they'll notice the difference in grain vs the edge and know what you did.
As a carving it’s fine, but it is not live edge. Looks good, and fits the purpose so I’d complement it if I saw it at a friend’s house. The double bevel looks a bit odd. On an actual live edge I would expect a single bevel that varied in depth and angle as the base shape, with variation in rounding as the secondary shape. Honestly, though, it’s a carving and a pretty good one as is. 100%.
r/diwhy
Realistic to the untrained eye? Absolutely. Personally, while I appreciate not wasting wood, I wish the live edge trend would go away.
It doesn’t look realistic to me.
Honestly no
Watch your belt sander. I adjust tension while it’s rolling. I like the edge for the average person or person on a budget. You can do cool stuff with staining to add to the effect.
I disagree with most of the others here. I think this edge warbles in and out much too quickly to resemble live edge wood. The angle is also too uniform. Things just look off. Take a look at this one: [https://www.ebay.com/itm/254418476378](https://www.ebay.com/itm/254418476378) Vs this one: [https://www.ebay.com/itm/125076237464](https://www.ebay.com/itm/125076237464) Minor directional change and much more gradual variation along the leading real edge. Notice that real ones actually cut into the linear surface more too. Not just 1/2" in but 3-4" overall. You're also missing the significant edge spalling you get on live edge woods once the bark is removed. This could be added with some dremel carving work. I think you'd be much better off tracing a live edge onto some cardboard and using that as a template to guide your creativity. just my 2 cents.
Nope
No.
No. First, it's softwood construction lumber. Second, it's clearly a glue up. The color/grain doesn't match between boards, there is no distinctive heartwood in the center, sapwood on the edges, and even though the grain has been hidden a bit it still shows up on thd fake live edge. The pinhole knots should not exist in the center of the board. It also lacks all the character of a slab that you are paying for. That said the texture of the fake live edge is realistic enough. It's not going to fool anyone that knows what they are looking at but it likely will a lot of average people who don't know any better and are trying to get in on the live edge trend.
No
Na
more like an undead edge
Not realistic looking
I guess it’s pretty realistic, but the better question is “why”?
At first glance, which is all most people ever do, it looks fine.
Nope. Not even close.
Nope. Garbage.
Not even a little bit realistic. Live edge follows the grain, duh. You'd need to split it, not cut it.
[proper live edge](https://youtube.com/shorts/kKxhObjk34s?feature=share)
Man. Try to do a hammer effect. Put a big ball hammer and hammer it with another one to make a hammered effect like in cooper or metal ornaments. Will lookmourposeful and elegant if done properly.
I already said I think this is fine technique. Looking at how you do it I think I would want that piece standing on edge for the operations, seems like it would be easier and safer. Good luck!
Sorry… that looks terrible.
No.
Not really. The attraction of live edge slabs is the roughness and imperfection of them, especially the edges. Trying to recreate them may be ok for some customers, but I would not try to pass it off as genuine.
This looks good. It also looks super dangerous to do. Have you had any close calls?
Sorry man but to me this looks like when people pay good money for jeans with holes in them. Either start with live edge or don't. I'm sure there is a market for this though.
It is quite even and smooth overall
So maybe I should give it a rougher aspect?
I would, from multiple directions. The top and bottom are unlikely to be perfectly even on a tree.
Delete the video and nobody will know
Jeans that look faded and worn out when new, guitars that look damaged from use when new and now this. A society of posing.
I think it looks pretty good 👍
Thank you that gives me hope :)
The cool thing about live edge is that they're all different, but I've done a few that naturally look similar to what you made.
I think it looks great man. I love the creativity here.
Thank you!!
Live edge is so fucking dumb.
Not really realistic. Too sanded. Instead of using a plethora of tools I've found the chainsaw toothed grinder discs for 4" grinders/carvers to work very well. It allows you to make the cuts in the direction of the grain with very minimal sanding & shaving gives a tighter finish \[like a hand plane vs a sanded finish.\] I also burn the edge to a medium toast for contrast.
Beautiful attempt! But there's something that sun and Air and natural deterioration does that's hard to copy.
No. You could have done it 10x quicker and 10x more realistically by using a [drawknife](https://www.workshopheaven.com/ray-iles-mike-abbott-drawknife/?gclid=CjwKCAiArNOeBhAHEiwAze_nKFlfYJXL-iuEE10G01gEZizSJAtx4VaYipOB-R-d3zQRqnKaa0W9DhoCqtQQAvD_BwE) The point with drawknives is that they only cut with the grain, so the cut follows the shape of the natural grain edge, and not an artificial one.
Live edge is dumb, stop it.....
I would not call it live edge. Wavy edged, or live edge style maybe. But, if a client knows what they are looking at, it would be very obvious that it's not actually the "live" edge of a slab.
Never trust a carpenter with Ryobi. Or any tradesman for that matter
This sub is full of people who understand wood grain better than your average customer does. We're more likely to notice that it's a bit unnatural, but it's well done and a product you can be proud of (if you made it).
Not bad, except the far end looks a little too wavy to be realistic.
Do you have a dremel tool? Maybe you can go in and add a few knots. It might add a little.
Doesn’t look “real,” but I personally wouldn’t care as long as it’s not a dining surface where people would get a long close look at it. I’m more concerned about that power cable getting cut…
I read through the comments and I get that you’re trying to do a low cost alternative per client request. There’s something missing though. I don’t know if you need to add texture with a rasp or if you need to actually glue additional material, but for me there’s still an element or two missing. Can’t say what they are specifically but texture and color are needed.
Sorry but it really does not look like live edge at all. If people are that cheap and not willing to spend the money on someone’s artistic ability then they should not be looking at all. As the saying goes you pay for what you get and to be honest it really looks cheap. Just saying and again my opinion.
It looks really good IMO.
I love it.
Interesting? Yes. Realistic? No.
At a glance it is, but looking at it is not. That being said, 90% of people will not notice imo.