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Epoxy tables are a popular and creative way to transform ordinary wood into stunning pieces of furniture. Creating epoxy tables also helps us to make use of scrap wood, old wood, and reclaimed wood. Epoxy resin is a synthetic material that can be poured over wood to create a smooth, glossy, and durable surface. Epoxy tables can have different designs, colors, and effects, depending on your preferences and skills. In this blog post, we will show you how to make an epoxy resin table step by step, using some basic tools and materials.
Credit: Flowyline Design
Related product: 121 Tulipe Metal Table Base
What You Will Need to Make An Epoxy Table?
To make an epoxy table, you will need the following items:
1. The wooden slab or board of your desired size and shape
You can use any type of wood, such as pine, oak, walnut, or cherry. You can also use live edge wood, which has the natural edge of the tree preserved.
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2. Epoxy resin and hardener
You can buy these from online shops or hardware stores. Make sure to read the instructions and safety precautions on the package before using them.
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3. Pigments or dyes
You can use these to add color to your epoxy resin. You can choose from different types of pigments, such as liquid, powder, or metallic.
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4. A mold or a form and some anti-stick paint
You will need this to contain the epoxy resin while it cures. You can make your own mold using melamine board, silicone caulk, and screws. Alternatively, you can buy a ready-made mold from online shops or hardware stores.
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5. The levels, a wire brush, and wood chisels
You will need this to make sure your mold and your table are level and flat. To save cost, you can simply use wooden blocks, square wooden bars, and wood screws as a substitute.
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6. A drill, a circle saw, and a face milling cutter
You will need these to cut and drill holes in your wood and your mold.
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7. Sandpapers (100-150-240 grits) and a sander
You will need these to smooth and polish your wood and your epoxy surface.
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8. A blowtorch or a heat gun
You will need this to remove air bubbles from your epoxy resin.
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9. A tape measure, a pencil, a ruler, an adhesive tape and a marker
You will need these to measure and mark your wood and your mold.
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10. Silicon sealant and a gun
You will need to use them in many steps.
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11. Polishing compound
This will ensure that your table has a great polish and will assist in flattening the gorgeous wood grains. This can also assist us in maintaining the surface for long-term usage.
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12. Gloves, goggles, mask, and apron
You will need these to protect yourself from the epoxy resin and the dust.
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Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prepare your wood
Cut your wood to the size and shape you want for your table. Sand the surface and the edges until they are smooth. Wipe off any dust with a wood chisel and a damp cloth.
One of the most crucial things you must do is guarantee that the wood completely dries. This will keep your epoxy job from cracking and breaking up. This effect is generated by the drying process of wood after prolonged use.
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Step 2: Prepare your mold
Cut your melamine board to the appropriate size and shape of your table, plus some extra space for the epoxy resin to flow. Cover your board with anti-stick paint.
If you use normal wood to create the mold. Covering the wood bars with adhesive tape is necessary.
Assemble the board into a box using screws. Place the mold on a flat and level surface. Don't forget to add a lining before fastening your frame to the surface so it will be easy for us to separate the epoxy top from the surface. Seal the joints with silicone caulk to prevent any leaks.
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Step 3: Place your wood in the mold
Put your wood inside the mold, making sure it is centered and level. You can use some spacers or clamps to hold it in place. Leave some gaps between the wood and the mold for the epoxy resin to fill.
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Step 4: Create the silicon sealant lines
Add a border of silicone sealant to your wood slabs and the position in which you are going to pour the epoxy. This will prevent the leaks to unnecessary space.
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Step 5: Add a layer of epoxy glue to the wood surface
For the wood blanks of the epoxy resin table designs, there are certainly some defects on the surface or in different corners. If you do not coat glue on these positions first, the glue layer when poured may not get into all the gaps. This will lose the aesthetic value and cannot be fixed. Therefore, first use a small amount of glue to brush a thin layer on these positions and wait for it to dry. The time will be about 5-10 minutes to ensure they are dry before continuing to the next steps.
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Step 6: Mix your epoxy resin and hardener
Follow the instructions on the package to measure and mix the correct ratio of epoxy resin and hardener in a plastic container. Stir well until there are no streaks or lumps. Add some pigments or dyes if you want to color your epoxy resin.
3:1 is the perfect ratio of epoxy and hardener for the AB epoxy type. When using transparent AB 2-component epoxy resin, you need to choose the right type. Do not use block casting glue to pour thin types and vice versa. It will be very costly and take longer to dry.
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Step 7: Pour your epoxy resin into the mold
Pour slowly and evenly over the wood and the gaps in the mold. Lower your epoxy container into the mold at least 3 inches to minimize the bubbles. Use a wooden stick or a spatula to spread the epoxy resin evenly. Gently tap the mold to expel any air bubbles.
Pouring many epoxy layers helps your tabletop achieve the needed hardness. The ideal thickness for each epoxy layer is 1/4 inch.
The thicker the epoxy glue is poured, the longer it takes to dry. As a result, knowing the drying time of each layer is essential for handling it correctly. If you remove the mold before the adhesive has dried, you risk damaging the product.
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Step 8: Let the epoxy resin cure
Cover the mold with a plastic sheet or a cardboard box to protect it from dust and debris. Let it cure for at least 24 hours or according to the instructions on the package.
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Step 9: Remove the table from the mold
Unscrew and remove the mold from the surface carefully. Peel off any excess epoxy resin and silicon sealant from the surface and the edges of the table with a knife or a chisel.
Credit: Flowyline Design
Related product: 423 Curva Metal Table Legs
Step 10: Sand and polish your epoxy tabletop
Flat sanding the table surface by using the face milling cutter and a complementary frame.
Sand the surface and the edges of your table with sandpaper of different grits, starting from coarse to fine. Use a sander for faster and smoother results. Wipe away any dust with a moist cloth.
You can simply add polishing compounds evenly to the tabletop and wipe them off or use a lambswool pad for a perfect and polished finish.
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Step 11: Attach the legs to your table
Choose any type of legs you want for your table, such as metal, wood, or plastic. Drill holes in the bottom of your table if needed and attach the legs with screws or bolts.
Credit: Flowyline Design
Related product: 410 Radix Metal Table Legs
Some Information You May Want to Know
How Much Does It Cost to Make an Epoxy Table?
The cost of an epoxy table depends on several factors, such as the type and amount of wood, epoxy resin, and other materials and tools needed. However, based on some estimates and examples, the cost can range from $200 to $600 for a basic table, or up to $2000 for a more intricate or customized design.
For example, a DIY epoxy river table kit by TotalBoat, which includes 1.5 gallons of epoxy resin and hardener, 2 quarts of pigmented epoxy, mixing tools, and instructions. The kit costs $209.99 and claims to be enough for a river table up to 24" x 48" x 1.5".
What Kind of Epoxy is Used to Make Epoxy Table?
Table top epoxy
This is a thin and clear type of epoxy resin that is suitable for coating table tops, as it offers a high level of protection and shine. It can also be mixed with pigments or dyes to add color to the epoxy layer. Table Top Epoxy has a short pot life (the time it can be worked with before it hardens) of about 20 to 30 minutes and a curing time (the time it takes to fully harden) of about 24 hours.
Casting epoxy
This is a thick and clear type of epoxy resin that is suitable for filling gaps, cracks, or voids in wood, as it offers a deep and transparent effect. It can also be mixed with pigments or dyes to add color to the epoxy layer. Casting Epoxy has a long pot life of about 60 to 90 minutes and a curing time of about 72 hours.
Deep-casting epoxy resin
This is a very thick and clear type of epoxy resin that is suitable for creating river tables, which are tables that have a layer of epoxy resin between two slabs of wood, creating the illusion of a river flowing through the table. It can also be mixed with pigments or dyes to add color to the epoxy layer. Deep-casting epoxy resin has a very long pot life of about 2 to 4 hours and a curing time of about 7 days.
