Natural Wood Coffee Table

Find a big slab of wood for the tabletop. Here’s the large slice of American elm I started with. This is definitely a piece I wouldn’t want to drop on any body parts!

Sand the top of the slab with a belt sander. I like the look of leaving the rough chainsaw cuts visible, but just smoothing out the surface.

I decided to stain this slab dark. Use a big stump or log as a pedestal. Use two stumps or logs if needed. You might need some shims to keep the top level. I use the weight of the slab to connect the two pieces.

Be sure to cover the table if you plan to leave it outside. The more you protect the wood from the elements, the longer it will last.