Introduction
Hey everyone, my name is Matt, and welcome to my shop. In today’s video, I’m looking to work on a quick and easy project to take a break from my ongoing struggle with a serpentine chest of drawers. I have a bench that requires new slats, and I thought it would be a great idea to replace them with some fresh ones. My plan is to share each step of the process with you all. From choosing the right materials to sanding and finishing, let’s jump into it.
Finding the Right Materials
The first step in any woodworking project is finding the right materials, and for this project, I found some white oak pieces in my barn. The log I cut a few years ago was completely rotted out, with the middle of the log being totally gone. However, I managed to find two pieces that would work well for this project. These pieces were quartersawn, which gives them a unique tiger-like ray fleck pattern.
Choosing the Right Thickness
Once I had the pieces of wood, I needed to choose the right thickness for the slats. The slats on the bench were about 5/8 of an inch thick, and 2 1/2 inches wide. So, to get the right thickness, I decided to resaw the wood into a few slats each.
Determining the Number of Slats to Cut
To determine the number of slats to cut, I used a ruler the size of a slat, which was 2 inches by 48. Using this, I decided that I could get three slats out of the thickness of each piece of wood. This gave me a total of 12 slats if everything went according to plan.
Getting Started with the Cross Cut
Once I knew what I needed, I made a quick crosscut to separate the two chunks of wood. Then, I drew a straight line on the wood where it made sense and made a rough cut. After the rough cut, I ripped the pieces of wood into the rough width that I needed to proceed with the project.
Resawing the Slats
Once I had the right width, I started resawing the pieces of wood into the individual slats. I planned to go for the quartersawn look on these slats, which would require more work but would give them a unique pattern. As I got further down the wood, the rot started to disappear, making the wood look healthier.
The Number of Strips
When I finished resawing all the pieces of wood, I ended up with eight strips. I thought I needed seven, but I was mistaken. I decided to use all the wood I had cut to make sure everything was symmetrical.
The Final Touches
Once all the strips were cut, I trimmed them to length and added a simple 1/8-inch round over edge profile to soften things up. After this, I applied TotalBoat’s teak oil, which is a great outdoor finish. It is easy to apply and requires minimal maintenance.
Final Product
After everything was done, I installed all the freshly cut slats on the bench, and it looked great. The patina on the cast pieces matched nicely with the teak oil on the wood slats. The project turned out to be a great success, and it felt great to work on something quick yet productive.
Conclusion
Woodworking can be a challenging yet enjoyable process, especially when the final product turns out great. Choosing the right materials, getting the right thickness, and applying the right finish, all contribute to the final product. This quick project was a nice way to break up the monotony of my ongoing project, and the end result was amazing. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below. Happy woodworking!