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These custom log rounds were levelled and carved to create memorable wedding table decorations.
The project
My niece's friend is getting married and she asked if I could make custom log rounds for the reception tables.
She supplied the log rounds but they were in rough condition. The rounds had been cut with a chainsaw and some had a 15mm discrepancy with chunky parts that needed to be levelled. Neither my table saw or band saw were adequate to make a smooth cut through the 230mm diameter.
I recalled seeing on YouTube people making a router sled to level out timber slabs so I set about making something similar for this purpose.
Using 18mm MDF I made a sled where my router would slide back and forth and the sled itself could slide along rails to route the surface of the log rounds.
I took about 6mm off the surface of the log with each pass. There are specific bottom clearing bits for this purpose but I didn't have one so I used a 3/8" slot cutting bit instead. This made the task a little tougher by not being able to take off as much material with each pass.
Here you can see the router sled and the base with side rails that the sled can slide along – and the mess after levelling 14 of the log rounds.
Once the log rounds were levelled (albeit at varying thicknesses still) I used my CNC machine to engrave the bride and groom's names along with the date of the occasion and also a rose.
An unbelievable amount of work involved, but they turned out great and more importantly it was gifted to a very happy couple.
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