Creating a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture is no easy feat, especially when working with a 1,500-year-old redwood root.
This project, which took over a year to complete, is a testament to craftsmanship, patience, and innovation. The final result? A breathtaking table that now resides in a high-end sushi restaurant in Redding, California. Here’s how it was made, step by step.
Contents
Step 1: Milling the Redwood Root
Before the transformation could begin, the massive redwood root needed to be milled to create a flat surface for the acrylic top. The woodworker transported the root to Hunsky Hardwoods in Sacramento, California, where they carefully milled the top using a bandsaw mill.
- Initial pass: A small test pass to assess the milling process.
- Final pass: Two total passes were needed to ensure enough flat touchpoints for the acrylic top.
- Bottom profile tracing: Using cardstock taped together, the bottom was traced to create a template for the table’s base.
Step 2: Sanding and Polishing the Wood
With the milling complete, the focus shifted to refining the surface. The woodworker began by hand-planing and sanding the root to remove resaw marks.
- Grit progression: Starting at 80 grit and working up to 400 grit for initial refinement.
- High-gloss polish: Later, sanding progressed up to 12,000 grit, giving the surface a deep sheen without using any finish.
- Why no finish? The wood was extremely hard, almost petrified, making it unnecessary to apply a traditional finish.
Step 3: Crafting the Base
Since the root was irregularly shaped, a custom base was required for stability and elevation.
- Material choice: Initially considered all wood, but opted for a combination of hot-rolled steel (3/16″) and Philippine mahogany.
- Cutting and shaping:
- Steel base: The bottom profile was traced onto the steel and cut with a plasma cutter.
- Mahogany support: Rough cut, shaped with a jigsaw, and tapered from bottom to top to complement the organic shape of the root.
- Patina and protection:
- Black Magic patina was applied to darken the steel.
- A heat treatment and oil coating were used to prevent rust.
- Final assembly: The wood and steel components were fastened together to form a seamless base.
Step 4: Adding Structural Support for the Acrylic Top
The table needed extra support due to its five-and-a-half-foot-wide acrylic top.
- Steel standoffs: Rusted rods were cut down, drilled, and tapped to hold stainless steel bolts.
- Aesthetic matching: The rusted rods naturally blended with the aged root.
Step 5: Protecting the Acrylic Surface
After just two weeks of use, the acrylic surface was covered in scratches despite being treated with ceramic coating. To resolve this:
- Re-sanding and re-polishing: Scratches were sanded down starting at 1,000 grit and polished up to 3,000 grit.
- Applying PPF (Paint Protection Film): A high-gloss Xpel Ultimate Plus PPF was installed. This self-healing film allows scratches to be removed by applying hot water.
Step 6: Final Installation
With everything ready, the table was transported and carefully placed inside Raw, a high-end sushi restaurant in Redding, California.
- Final adjustments ensured a perfect fit.
- Reinforcement checks confirmed the structural integrity of the table.
- Finishing touches included cleaning and waxing for a flawless presentation.
The Finished Masterpiece
This 1,500-year-old redwood root was transformed into a functional work of art, combining ancient natural beauty with modern craftsmanship. If you’re in Redding, visit Raw to see the table in person—and enjoy some top-tier sushi while you’re there!
Would you take on a project like this? Let us know what you think in the comments!
