Epoxy resin is currently very trendy as a versatile material. Not only is it being used more and more frequently, for example, in boat building, model making, in the creation of jewelry or in studios, but furniture makers and manufacturers also no longer want to do without the synthetic resin, which is endowed with extremely good mechanical properties. The processing of epoxy resin is not particularly difficult for skilled craftsmen. And the products made of wood and epoxy resin are very modern and aesthetic. Especially epoxy resin tables, also known as River Tables or Ocean Tables, are becoming more and more popular.
Many amateur craftsmen wonder if they would be able to create their own epoxy table. And yes, it is quite possible to build your own River Table or Ocean Table, as long as you don’t have two left hands and also have access to good instructions!
Casting epoxy resin
Casting epoxy resin can be learned in any case, although some steps should definitely be followed. How to build a stylish epoxy resin table yourself is explained below:
Which epoxy resin to use for the new table??
First of all, of course, it is important to choose the right epoxy resin for the new table. There are many different manufacturers of epoxy resin as casting resin. Basically, the choice depends on how thick you ultimately want the casting to be.
Epoxy resin is a reactive material and develops heat when curing. If the casting is very thick, the epoxy can get very warm or even hot. This chemical reaction can lead to the formation of boiling bubbles or even stress cracks, which is why the choice of a slower reacting resin system is recommended for thick castings.
The reason that epoxy resin should be chosen rather than another resin, such as polyester resin, is that epoxy resin is very suitable for working with wood in a piece of furniture. In general, the versatile resin is considered to be extremely durable and hard-wearing. It is solvent-free, oil-resistant, extremely hard when hardened, easy to clean and can be combined with a wide variety of colors. In addition, it is exceedingly adhesive, which is why River Tables and Ocean Tables are usually made of epoxy resin and wood.
Working with greasy wood
Greasy wood species such as pine or acacia should be thoroughly cleaned and also dried before processing, especially if the wood should have cracks or also holes. For cleaning, for example, acetone or a special detergent can be used specifically for this purpose.
Cutting the tree slice
Before the epoxy resin can be used, the tree slice or wood has to be cut to size. the wood must be cut. It is important that the wood used is dry and clean. When choosing wooden tables, it should also be taken into account that depending on the thickness, a different epoxy resin must be chosen.
- Sawing the wooden disc(s)
- Draw cutting lines
- Remove bark with a chisel if necessary
- Clean the edges with a wire brush
- Thoroughly sand the surface
Making the cast frame
For the casting frame is suitable chipboard with a smooth coating. The thickness should be at least 22 millimeters. The sealing of the cast frame should still be very good.
- Screw boards of the cast frame
- Seal joints with silicone as best as possible
- Thoroughly clean the mold and spray with Teflon spray
- Casting frame and wooden discs align horizontally
- Fix the wood slices in the corners with screw clamps
Pouring in the epoxy resin
Once the mold is made and perfectly aligned, the epoxy resin can finally be poured into the frame at room temperature (at least 19°C). How much casting resin is needed depends on the size of the tabletop and the dimensions of the wooden discs. It should be noted that epoxy resin can also soak into wood. So just have enough in stock so that the resin does not run out too soon! It is also advisable to wear protective gloves, safety goggles and a respirator during this work step!
- Mix epoxy resin and hardener together in the correct mixing ratio and stir thoroughly
- Color the mixture
- Pour the resin slowly to avoid air bubbles or splashes as far as possible.
Tip: If air bubbles appear, they can be burst with the aid of a hot air dryer.
Removing the casting frame
After the epoxy resin is completely cured, the casting frame can be removed again. The recommendations and instructions of the corresponding epoxy resin manufacturer with regard to curing must be strictly observed here! Chisel and wedge are basically suitable tools for removing the frame properly.
finish the table top
Once the new epoxy and wood table top is separated from the cast frame, it can finally be refinished.
- Level the resin and wood by sanding and/or routing
- Place table top on polystyrene board and trim edges
- Grind edges and break edges using sanding block and sandpaper
- Thoroughly clean the tabletop and remove dust
- Seal the tabletop with transparent synthetic resin (first seal the top and edges and allow to cure, then seal the underside)
- Sand table top, clean and seal a second time
- Finally attach the table legs
And ready is the new, self-made epoxy resin table!
Building an epoxy resin table yourself: Basic equipment
If you want to make your own epoxy resin table, you will need the following basic equipment according to the instructions above:
- Dry wooden discs (The use of oak wood is ideal for the production of epoxy resin tables or tables made of wood. River Tables on)
- High quality epoxy resin + hardener selected to match the thickness of the wood slices
- Paint for coloring the casting resin
- Table legs
- Protective clothing: Gloves, respirator and goggles
- At least 22 millimeter thick chipboard and screws for the cast frame
- Silicone to seal the mold
- Teflon spray as release agent for the mold
- Sanding block and sandpaper
- Acetone or special cleaning agent
- several mixing buckets
- Cordless screwdriver
- drill with agitator
- Hand circular saw with guide rail
- Hand grinder
- Wire brush
- at least. 3 cm thick polystyrene board (EPS)
- Spirit level, folding rule and angle
- Screw clamps
- Hot air gun
- Hardwood wedges
- lint-free roller for sealing
- Chisel
- Pencil
- Fabric flap
Interesting videos on the subject of "Building an epoxy resin table yourself
Finally, here are a few interesting videos on the subject of "Building an epoxy resin table yourself". Have fun!
As always, we are of course looking forward to your comments and remarks!
5 comments
Unfortunately, the sealing did not work for me. Better said I have everywhere unevenness on the table. It is the first layer. But I am afraid that the second layer will not be smooth either. That would be a pity. My consideration is therefore to sand everything with 120 180 240 360 400 600 800 1000 1200 and then either paint with a paint roller clear lacquer or polish with acrylic polishing brushes. Maybe someone has some other advice.
D A N K E
On the subject of "epoxy resin sanding" and "epoxy resin painting", we have written the following two articles, which should definitely help you:
Your consideration goes quite in the right direction.
Specifically, what epoxy did you use in your epoxy table?? And which clearcoat do you have in mind for painting the River Table??
Best regards,
the editors of epoxy resin processing.eu
Hello ,after the epoxy is cured and slept it is not polished befor I paint it again??I did it like this and it became blunt,Thanks
Do you have documentation for making a table that you can provide for free.
With kind regards
Hello Mr. Budde,
unfortunately we have not made any tutorials or videos about this yet. Based on your comment we will now consider to create them and make them available for free.