How to Flatten Slabs and Glue Them Together - Executive Desk Build Part 1

In this video, I show my process of how I flatten slabs using a router jig sled, and a little hand plan action. I talk about grain direction and how to find the best area to seam them together so the two large walnut slabs look like one slab. Then of course I finish off the top by inlaying some bowties by hand.
This is part 1 of a new commission for my woodworking business; building an executive desk.
Here is the video is where I mentioned how to inlay a bowtie with only a mallet and Chisel NO Router. • How To Do a Perfect Bo...
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[@Benham_Design]

Here is the video is where I mentioned how to inlay a bowtie with only a mallet and Chisel NO Router. kzbin.info/www/bejne/babOYY2pr8uSfMk

[@kbach2946]

I'm just getting into woodworking and have watched tons of youtube videos the last several months, and have finally stumbled on your channel. You have one of the best woodworking channels on youtube.

[@Benham_Design]

Thank you.

[@Bruno-B]

Cette chaîne mériterait vraiment plus d'abonnés. (This channel really deserves more subscribers.) Greetings from France.

[@Benham_Design]

Merci de vous être abonné

[@GregsGarage]

Beautiful piece of Walnut! This is going to be fun to see come together.

[@SawdustmakerLori]

I hope your client has an appreciation for the huge amount of work you're doing to give them a spectacular desk! I love to watch an artist at work and you definitely qualify!!! Looking forward to seeing future video's of the desk taking shape.

[@Benham_Design]

Thanks, I'm lucky to have such great clients that allow me the freedom to finesse the details.

[@kylehadden7294]

So fulfilling to see you work and your unique pieces

[@Benham_Design]

Thank you!

[@joesasso7921]

Looks great can’t wait to see the next video

[@gregmize01]

Always incredible work!

[@christobar]

It's like a reverse mullet, party in the front business in the back.

[@Benham_Design]

😂

[@mew589]

I came here to say the same thing!

[@jbratt]

I wonder if I was the only one worried about the glue blocks leaving marks on the desk surface 😀. Looks like the glue was applied to the blocks and the activator on the desk surface to minimize staining. Looks like it works. Nice job so far looking forward to the rest of the build 👍

[@rodrigoconegundes3105]

🇧🇷 lindo trabalho parabéns

[@christopherstarr4032]

Thank you for sharing this video, exactly what I needed before my next project.....Did you level both pieces of wood?

[@Benham_Design]

Thanks, yep both pieces were flattened on both sides

[@christopherstarr4032]

@@Benham_Design Did you keep the router height the same for both boards? Meaning, the lowest point of one board was used for both?

[@Benham_Design]

Yes, I flattened one side of both boards. Then I flipped them over and did the first one. Once I was at the final depth on the first board I set the stop on the router so I could still do multiple passes on the second but stop at the same thickness.

[@lorenzobeckmann3736]

I'm new to this; am almost ready for my glue-up. What is the spray before the glue with the clamping blocks? A sealer to prevent the glue discoloring/penitrating the grain?

[@Benham_Design]

The spray is an activator, it causes the CA glue to setup within a few seconds so you don't have to wait. The exact name depends on the brand you are using. I've found most brands to all be pretty comparable. I get whatever woodcraft has in stock that day .

[@phildean2315]

Those are amazing clamps. Could you tell me the brand? Thanks!

[@Benham_Design]

Jet

[@macmcmillen6282]

This was really instructive. Thanks! A couple of questions. 1) Did you flatten those pieces using a router rather than a planer simply because of the size of the pieces? 2) When cutting those pieces, was that styrofoam underneath them? Thanks again!

[@Benham_Design]

Yes on both questions, they were too big to fit through the planer, and the styrofoam is rigid insulation to protect the workbench from the saw blade.

[@macmcmillen6282]

@@Benham_Design Thanks Brian. Much appreciated. BTW, that desk will be really beautiful when it's done.

[@shofarsogood7504]

Did you find it was worth the care to not use clamps on the live edge or would you worry about it again?

[@Benham_Design]

Yes, I have dented live edges in the past and also introduced a cup in the top from uneven clamping pressure. This method has proven foolproof so far and solved my other problems.

[@lesliestraw4699]

Could you not have used strap clamps to pull the two table top pieces together ?

[@Benham_Design]

Possibly, but I'm not sure strap clamps would give as much pinpoint pressure in the right spots as the glue blocks. Also strap clamps are the work of the devil with all their tangled parts😜

[@deeseneviratne]

How would deal with the slab top if it cupped just before finishing?

[@Benham_Design]

Route a C channel in the bottom to hold it flat

[@deeseneviratne]

@@Benham_Design as in, if it cupped before you managed to get c channel in - what would you do?

[@Benham_Design]

Force it into submission with the C channel, if it needs more encouragement, maybe make some relief kerf cuts on the underside to help relieve pressure. If that doesn't work, I'd cut my losses and start over.

[@deeseneviratne]

@@Benham_Design appreciate it 👏 thank you!

[@gregmize01]

Did you make your seahorses?

[@Benham_Design]

Yep! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5rIaaBrrZ51p6c

[@joesasso7921]

Looks great can’t wait to see the next video