How to Create River tables or small Charcuterie boards!

Welcome to the world of epoxy resin crafting! Creating a stunning epoxy resin river table or cheese board might seem complex, but with this comprehensive step-by-step guide, you can bring your creative ideas to life. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DIY enthusiast, follow these instructions to craft your unique epoxy resin masterpiece.

Introduction:
Epoxy resin river tables are exceptional pieces of furniture that combine natural wood beauty with vibrant epoxy rivers. This guide covers everything from preparing the raw slab to pouring and finishing the epoxy resin, ensuring your project turns out just as you envisioned.

What is a River Table?
Epoxy resin river tables consist of raw wooden planks and epoxy resin. The wood slab is split lengthwise, and epoxy resin is poured between the slabs, creating a captivating river-like effect. This technique is versatile and can be applied to various projects, including charcuterie boards, cornhole boards, and serving boards.

Supplies You’ll Need:
– Orbital Palm Sander
– Silicone Caulk (Fast-drying Latex Caulk)
– Caulk Gun
– Metal Tape
– Plastic Sheeting
– Epoxy Resin Set
– Mixing Cups and Utensils
– Pigments (Mica Powder for Coloring)
– Safety Mask and Gloves
– Polyurethane
– Miter Saw (For unprocessed wood)
– Table Saw (For unprocessed wood)
– Wire Brush with Stiff Bristles (For unprocessed wood)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Build Your Own River Table

Step 1: Prepare the Wood:
– If using unprocessed wood, cut the live edge slab to your desired length using a miter saw.
– Use a table saw to rip the wood with the grain and remove bark along the live edges using a wire brush.

Step 2: Create the Mold:
– Lay thick plastic on your working surface, extending it beyond the width of the intended river.
– Use silicone caulk to create a mold, lining the length of the wood with caulk on the bottom side.
– Allow the caulk to dry, then flip the wood pieces and place them silicone side down on the plastic sheet, aligning the pieces.
– Reinforce the ends with metal tape to prevent resin spillage.

Step 3: Prepare the Epoxy Resin:
– Warm the resin and hardener bottles in hot water if your workspace is cooler than 75-80°F.
– Pour the 1:1 ratio of resin and hardener into a silicone cup.
– Add mica powder for coloring; mix carefully for about 3 minutes, avoiding bubbles.
– If using multiple colors, assign each to its own cup and mix with the resin.

Step 4: Pour the River:
– Pour the epoxy resin slowly to avoid introducing bubbles.
– Pour the initial layer, avoiding a depth greater than 1/4 inch.
– Add additional colors using a stir stick or toothpick to create your desired design.
– Remove any bubbles with a butane torch.
– Allow the initial layer to gel up for about 24 hours before adding subsequent layers. Repeat until the river is full.

Step 5: Finishing Touches:
– Remove the plastic, silicone caulk, and metal tape.
– Use an orbital palm sander to make the epoxy flush with the table and remove impurities.
– Apply a coat of polyurethane to the entire piece for a glossy finish.
– Optional: Use a planer for smaller projects to achieve uniform thickness, finishing with a palm sander.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully created your epoxy resin river table or cheese board. With your newfound skills, you can explore endless creative possibilities in the world of epoxy resin crafting. Enjoy your unique masterpiece!