Live Edge River Table
Step 1: Apply Penetrating Epoxy Sealer
Using MAS Penetrating Epoxy sealer, mix correctly at a 2:1 (two parts resin:one
part hardener) into a cup and stir for 2-3 minutes. Pour mixed epoxy onto the
wood and coat all sides of the wood slab using a paint brush or by rubbing it
into the wood by hand with rubber gloves on. This step will create a barrier
that eliminates any bubbles or foaming when epoxy comes in to contact with
the wood. Once all sides are coated with epoxy, prop them up on plastic cups
so the epoxied slab does not bond to your workspace. Any type of plastic or
silicone surface will work for this. Let epoxy cure overnight.
Step 2: Sand Wood Slab
Once Penetrating Epoxy has cured, using your random orbital sander, sand
down all edges with 80-180 grit paper and hand sand the live edge. Main
focus of this should be making sure the top, side and bottom are flat and
the live edge is lightly scued. Make sure all sanding debris is removed from
wood slab prior to placing in to your mold.
Step 3: Place Wood Slab into mold
For this river table, we wanted to add color but not too much that it hides the
beauty of the live edge slab and the unique character it has. Using Table Top
Pro, we added two colors of pigment powder to get our desired color scheme
which was a blue/grey color. This first layer of epoxy with pigment will also
secure the slabs in place once it starts to cure so we did not need to clamp,
screw or silicone the slab to the mold.
Step 4: Mix and Pour Table Top Pro with Pigment
Measure Table Top Pro using the correct 1:1 mix ratio and add approximately 1 tsp of color per cup, mix epoxy resin for 5
minutes. DO NOT pour over 1/4” of epoxy on this step. Keep in mind, if you are mixing with a drill attachment the faster the
mixer spins the more air bubbles you will whip into the mix. Use a controlled speed when mixing. Once epoxy is mixed, let
it sit in the cup for 5-10 minutes to allow air bubbles to rise to the surface.
Pour epoxy into the channel of the mold and wait 10-15 minutes. Using a propane torch, apply heat 6 inches above the
surface in a slow waving motion to release air bubbles. After you torch you can start to create your own pattern using a
mixing stick to swirl the epoxy. This is the fun part and you can create a interesting pattern for you base layer. Repeat this
process for the first 30 minutes until the epoxy starts to gel. Once the epoxy has a syrup like consistency, swirl and apply
heat one final time and cover your piece to keep o any dust from settling.
Building a live edge river table is a very creative and unique DIY project that merges woodworking and epoxy. This table was
made out of a kiln dried slab of pine along with three dierent epoxy systems available at Rockler. Penetrating Epoxy to seal
the wood, Table Top Pro for a base layer of color (optional), Deep Pour epoxy for the river channel and finished with Table Top
Pro as the final clear coat. See the steps below for more detailed descriptions.
First, you need to make a mold out of melamine or MDF board. The mold needs to be formed to fit the live edge slab of wood.
Once the mold is cut, you will need to apply sheathing tape to the inside of the form which will enable the epoxy to release.
Insert screws on all edges to the base and apply silicone to all inside edges to ensure the mold will not leak.