

There are a few ways to reinforce a waterfall edge from within the joint. Step 3: Reinforce the Two 45 degree Angles Together to Create one 90 degree Angle Once cut, your wood pieces will look like this.īe sure the save your offcuts! You will use these to strengthen the miter joint when clamping. This will allow the wood grain to flow seamlessly down the angle. The less surface of the top that is cut off, the better. Get as close to your original cut line as possible. Tip: If your slab isn’t perfectly flat, you can flatten it with a slab flattening jig for your router.Ĭut your piece in the angle shown on the straight edge below. This cut will be made because 45+45=90 and we are going for a 90 degree angle here. Step 2: Cut the 2nd 45 degree Angle in the Opposite Direction Take the kerf into account, and make a 45-degree cut.

The location of this cut will be at the desired height of the leg of your piece. This isn’t an absolute necessity, but for aesthetic’s sake, this is a great way to add to the “waterfall” look of this particular type of joinery.

So, you will want to make to cuts perpendicular to the wood grain flow. Typically, the grain in a waterfall miter edge flows around the angle.
#Waterfall coffee table wood diy how to#
Ok, now for the basics of how to make this type of 90 degree miter joint. How to Cut a Wood Waterfall Edge Corner Joint For example, it wouldn’t have been feasible to make this cut on the 7 ft 8/4 mesquite slab I was working with the create a live edge bench.īut if you are making a small wooden box, for example, a table saw will give you an accurate result as well. This is because, just by the nature of table saws, you are moving the wood, not the saw. I would only recommend this if you are working with a smaller piece to create a waterfall edge. This type of mitered cut can be done on a table saw as well. If you’re just getting started, you can find a beginner’s guide to using a miter saw here.

Like a track saw, it is very important to clamp your work piece when making a cut like this, especially if you are making multiple shallow passes. Miter saws can be a great option if the width of the piece you are cutting fits on your miter saw. You will essentially have to make (4) 45 degree angles if you have two waterfall legs in your piece, so it’s important to have an accurate method. In my opinion, a track saw creates the most precise cuts when cutting a 45 degree angle. If you do that, it is imperative to keep the wood from shifting in order to make sure the seam in the angle is a tight fit when joined together. Depending on the thickness of your wood, you will most likely need to make multiple shallow passes. The main reason is because you can clamp the piece down while you are cutting. My personal favorite way to cut an edge like this is to use a track saw like the Adaptive Cutting System. I will cover 3 popular ways to cut the angles in wood to create a waterfall edge. This type of joinery is also common in kitchen islands, console tables, or dining tables. Similar to a coffee table, you can also create a live edge waterfall bench. Waterfall edges make beautiful coffee tables, like this one from Williams Sonoma. The wood grain typically flows around the 90 degree angle in a continuous way. There are two 45 degree angle cuts that, when joined together, create a 90 degree angle. Q: What is a waterfall miter joint? A: A waterfall miter joint is a method of joining two wood pieces cut from the same piece together in a 90 degree angle.
