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I recently acquired two elm slabs. I’ll get a photo of them up here soon. I was wondering if anyone else has used elm for table tops and if so, how did it go and how did you finish it? I’ve never used elm…should do a blog, I guess.

-- Alec (Friends call me Wolf, no idea why)

I am currently working with Elm, but there are so many different trees, it is hard to predict how yours will act. I’d been warned it is ‘stringy’ and cross-grained, but haven’t found any of that in mine. I’ve seen beautiful cabinets and desk tops, finished to a honey-gold in elm. Sand up a sample piece and put a finish on it, so you can see what it will do. When I get further along, I’ll post a photo of what I’m making. It is a project just for me, and I keep getting stalled with other side jobs!

Might As Well Dance : http://barbsid.blogspot.com/

I have made a dining room table and several benches out of elm; it is a beautiful wood but prone to tear out; use a sharp, high angled plane! I used 7 coats of Minwax “tung oil” on the table; it gave a nice warm luster without being too glossy.

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Wow, that is nice. Thanks for the inspiration

-- Alec (Friends call me Wolf, no idea why)

I made a mantle clock out of grey elm. Even after being on the bottom of a stack of lumber for three years the boards still bent some. I found it pretty hard but with beautiful chatoyance.

Great use of Dutchman keys to stabilize the splits. Sometimes we forget to celebrate the imperfections in the wood.

Artisan Woodworks of Texas- www.awwtx.com

thanks! Elm is underated as a hardwood; it really is a rich warm wood to work with!

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario