Butterfly Keys Made Easy

Furniture made from thick wood slabs, with gorgeous grain and natural edges, at once rustic and refined, has remained popular ever since George Nakashima first introduced it to U.S. woodworkers in the 1950s. Better yet, woodworkers of almost all skill levels can build something with a natural-edged slab.

If you can get your hands on a beautiful slab and find a way to smooth its faces—buying time on an industrial sander or using one of many homeshop methods—you can find a way to showcase your unique find.

While I prefer the thick furniture bases Nakashima