Building Process
Once your order is finalized, we will get to work on bringing your vision to life. We are committed to using only the highest quality materials and ensuring that every detail is perfect. We will keep you updated throughout the process to ensure that you are completely satisfied with the end result.

- CRAFTSMANSHIP
Craftsmanship and attention to detail are at the heart of everything we do at AgainstTheGrain. We use only the finest materials in our building process, taking care to ensure the highest quality and durability in each and every piece.
We use both traditional and modern techniques to produce unique and timeless works of art. Each step is planned out strategically to ensure the end result is a piece of art.
No detail is left behind
- GET INVOLVED -
Build Process
At AgainstTheGrain, we are committed to providing our customers with the best woodworking products and experiences. We welcome you to take a look at our build process to get a better idea of what's involved when you place an order with us.
01
The balance of nature
For the most part, we source slabs when an order is placed so that we can pick out the perfect slab for your project. Once those slabs are in our hands, we allow them rest in our shop for a few weeks to fully acclimate to the environment which is temperature controlled. We also like to take this time to lay out the design (especially for river tables) and to take additional measurements that allow us to order the custom base/legs from our base manufacturer.




02
From raw to beautiful
Slabs are sourced "rough-sawn", which means they need to be flattened/surfaced in order to get a level top. Depending on the project type, the slabs will be surfaced 1-2 times while keeping the maximum thickness possible by shaving off only millimeters at a time. Low spots are sometimes kept on the underside of the slabs (not visible to the eye) to eliminate the need to make the slabs thinner. Typically peaking, our end products hover around 1.75" thick once this process is complete.




03
No voids are left behind
Most slabs will need some degree of epoxy filling, whether it's to fill a big hole, crack, or knot. We take extreme care and due diligence to find these areas and fill them in with epoxy resin to make a smooth surface. Some features (specifically those on the live edges) may be kept to keep the nature look of the wood. For river tables, we pour the epoxy resin inbetween the first and second round of surfacing.




04
Structural stability at its' finest
Beyond the care that we take to source and store the slabs, we add stability elements to help prevent excessive wood movement. If there are large cracks that have expanded to both sides of the slab, we will install bow-tie joints to the underside of the slab to help prevent further expansion. For those pieces that are wide, we will embed steel c-channel supports to help with warping and cupping. There are a few exceptions to the process, which we determine on a project basis.




05
Sanding, sanding, and more sanding
Once the project is cut to size, we begin the sanding process. Starting with a low grit to remove surfacing lines, we work our way up the scale on each side of the piece. In some cases, additional epoxy work is needed in-between the sanding stages. As the pieces are sanded, we remove the dust left behind from the sander with a raw wood cleaner. We also take this time to shape/carve the live edges (as needed) and trim the straight edges with a rounded or chamfer (angled) router bit.




06
It's all about the base
Steel and hardwood - a fantastic combination of rustic beauty and modern design. Our tables are fitted with steel bases that provide structural support and allow for wood movement of the tops. To this end, we secure our bases with threaded inserts and bolts, which are fitted in enlarged holes on the bases. Our bases will also come with feet levelers to help protect your floors while accounting for those pesky low/high spots that may be present on the flooring.




07
Finishing touches
Our products go through a complete transformation from a raw slab to a custom product, which is completed with the application of the finish. Unless otherwise noted, we finish our products with a hard wax oil from Rubio Monocoat, followed by a Nano Ceramics coating for extra protection. For items that are in close contact with food (i.e. charcuterie trays), a combination of Cutting Board Oil and Wax are used. All of our products will have a matte/low sheen, natural look once complete.



