The Journey of Repairing a Cracked Maple Burl Cookie Slab

Maple burl cookie slabs are highly sought after but prone to cracking due to the drying process.

Kintsugi is a 600-year-old Japanese technique of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold dust, resulting in a unique and beautiful piece.

The process of repairing the cracked slab involves cutting it into smaller pieces, gluing them back together, and using epoxy and gold leaf to highlight the imperfections.

Using a router and jigsaw, I shaped the slab and prepared it for staining and epoxy coating.

The final result is a stunning table with a kintsugi-inspired design, showcasing the beauty of the maple burl wood.

Why are maple burl cookie slabs prone to cracking?

—Maple burl cookie slabs, being cut from the cross-section of a log, are more susceptible to cracking due to the differences in moisture content and drying rates within the wood.

What is kintsugi?

—Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese technique of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold dust. It highlights the cracks and imperfections, resulting in a unique and beautiful piece.

What tools are used to repair the cracked slab?

—Tools such as a router, jigsaw, epoxy, and gold leaf are used to repair the cracked slab and create the kintsugi-inspired design.

How was the slab shaped and prepared for staining and epoxy coating?

—The slab was shaped using a router and jigsaw, then sanded to achieve a smooth finish. It was then stained with a water-based black dye and coated with penetrating epoxy for added strength and to seal the surface.

What is the final result of the repair process?

—The final result is a stunning table with a kintsugi-inspired design, showcasing the natural beauty of the maple burl wood.

00:00Introduction to the cracked maple burl cookie slab and the desire to repair it using the kintsugi technique.

01:00Explanation of the difference between maple burl cookie slabs and traditional slabs, and the challenges of working with cookie slabs.

02:30Introduction to the kintsugi technique and how it will be applied to repair the cracked slab.

04:30Demonstration of cutting the slab into smaller pieces, gluing them back together, and preparing them for the kintsugi-inspired design.

06:45Explanation of using a router and jigsaw to shape the slab and prepare it for staining and epoxy coating.

08:30Demonstration of staining the slab using a water-based black dye and applying penetrating epoxy for added strength and to seal the surface.

10:00Final result of the repair process, showcasing the stunning table with the kintsugi-inspired design.