Custom CNC Engraving on Live Edge Oak Slab
Resin Stabilised & Finished with Danish Oil
When a customer sends you a live edge oak slab they have prepared themselves, trust matters.
In this case, the slab arrived from Shrewsbury with deep cracks and voids that made it structurally weak. However, it also carried strong character and natural beauty that needed protecting. Therefore, our goal was to stabilise the plaque, preserve its organic features and deliver precise CNC engraving without damaging the wood.
With all custom CNC engravings, we approach each project with care, planning and technical precision from the outset.
Stabilising the Live Edge Oak
First, we inspected the slab. It contained large cracks that could not withstand machining in its current state.
Therefore, we began by wiping down the surface and taping the reverse to prevent resin pooling or bleed-through.
Filling the cracks with clear resin allowed us to reinforce the slab while keeping the natural grain visible. Once the resin cured fully, we flattened the slab to ensure the CNC engraving would sit evenly and maintain consistent depth across the entire piece.
Once the slab was structurally stable and flat, we moved to the engraving stage.
Mapping & Programming the Artwork
The customer supplied the quote as a digital file. We imported the artwork into our CNC software and mapped it carefully to suit the natural shape of the slab.
Live edge pieces are irregular and therefore alignment matters even more. We programmed the toolpaths to ensure the letters were clean and the engraving depth was consistent.
This stage required precision to ensure the layout was exactly as the customer had requested.
CNC Engraving on Live Edge Oak
Once programmed, we secured the slab firmly and began the engraving process. Using an engraving bit, we cut the lettering cleanly into the oak. Throughout the process, we monitored depth and surface consistency to maintain crisp detail across the entire quote.
After engraving, we sanded the slab again to refine the surface and remove any minor tooling marks. We then filled the engraved lettering with black epoxy resin for contrast.
Once the black resin cured, we sanded the surface again to achieve a perfectly smooth finish. As a result, the lettering sat flush and sharp against the oak.
Finishing with Danish Oil
To complete the project, we applied Danish oil.
This finish enhanced the oak and highlighted the natural features of the slab. At the same time, it provided a durable, professional surface suitable for interior display.
The oil brought warmth to the timber and allowed the resin-filled cracks to blend naturally into the overall design.
Secure Hanging System Installation
Finally, we installed a concealed hanging rail system to the rear of the slab. This ensured an even weight distribution and secure wall mounting allowing a simple installation for the client.
The slab measured approximately 64 cm wide by 43 cm high and 4 cm thick, therefore, the correct support was essential.
We completed the project within a two-week turnaround from receiving the slab to return shipping. We carefully packaged the finished piece before sending it back to the client.
“I had a live-edge oak slab that I’d prepared myself and needed someone skilled enough to handle the engraving without damaging the character of the wood. KMP Carpentry & Joinery have been brilliant from start to finish. Communication has been spotless — clear, friendly, and always keeping me updated.
But the real standout is the craftsmanship.
The engraving is crisp and perfectly aligned, the depth is clean, and they’ve managed to keep the natural grain and features of the oak front and centre. You can tell real care went into setting the piece up, securing it properly, and working with the curves of the live edge rather than against them. The finish they’ve applied brings the grain out beautifully and gives the whole slab a proper, professional feel. It’s rare to find a small business that treats your project like their own, but these guys do.
Highly recommend, and I’ll definitely be using them again.“
Trevor
Custom Live Oak Plaque Client
CNC Engraving on Customer Supplied Timber
We regularly engrave customer supplied timber. We assess stability and flatten surfaces where needed before machining. As a result, we protect the integrity of the timber while delivering clean, professional engraving.
If you have a piece of timber that needs careful handling and precision CNC engraving, we can help.