How To Make An Epoxy Resin River Table

Why create an epoxy resin river table?

Resin river tables are beautiful pieces of furniture which can be tailored to suit your design and taste. First originating in the US, they are now a popular trend worldwide. By combining clear casting resin with live edge timbers you are able to create a beautiful, unique piece of furniture. They’re functional, creative and look great in rustic or modern environments. You can let your imagination run wild when designing your river tabletop. From clear, classic table designs to eccentric pieces with a striking combination of colours, the possibilities are endless!

Plus, the limitations don’t stop with river tables. This procedure can also be used to create a variety of other furniture pieces. The simple yet effective process of combining wood and epoxy resin allows you to create stunning effects; including tables of any size or shape, chopping boards, chairs and more.

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Make your table river table!

Selecting and preparing your timber

Step 1

Select your timber and cut it to your desired tabletop length. We’ve opted for birch wood. 

Step 2

Rip your timber to width. 

Step 3 

Skin top or surface plane the timber edge to prepare the surface for the thicknesser.

Step 4 

Plane your timber to your required thickness, making sure both pieces of timber are the same thickness.

Step 5 

Debark the edges of your timber using a wire brush and drawknife.

Preparing the mould for your tabletop

Step 6 

Cut the material to size. We’re using MDF chipboard.  

Don’t forget to leave the desired space in between the boards for the epoxy resin.

Step 7 

Line and seal the mould with a waterproof tape to prevent any epoxy resin from leaking later on.

Step 8 

Assemble the mould.

Step 9 

Use silicone or clamps to fix the tabletop timber boards to the bottom of your mould. 

Prepare your resin

Step 10 

Calculate the volume of the first part of your casting resin for the main pour. Pour into a mixing pot and mix thoroughly using a paddle.

Step 11

Measure the second part of your casting resin to your mixture and mix thoroughly.

Step 12

If desired, add the metallic pigment and mix thoroughly.

Get ready for the pour!

Step 13 

Once you’ve ensured your bench and tabletop is level you can begin to pour your resin between your timber boards. 

Step 14 

Wait a few minutes for bubbles to rise. Then use a heat gun to burst the bubbles.

Step 15

Leave the resin to set (roughly 5-10 days) before removing the mould.

Step 16

Remove any rough edges. 

Step 17

Clean and sand the tabletop surface using a random orbit sander to a 320 grit. 

Step 18

Use a router and cutter to achieve a round over edge if desired and resand. 

It’s all about the finish!

Step 19 

For a crystal-clear, durable finish that resists yellowing, fading and cracking over time, we recommend adding UVPoxy Coating Resin as a final coat.

Step 20

Measure and mix the coating resin thoroughly and transfer to a second mixing pot,

Top Tip: Make sure not to wipe any excess from the side of the original pot 

Step 21

Pour the coating resin over your tabletop and spread over the surface evenly using a squeegee. Leave to set for 3-4 days. 

Give your table some legs to stand on!

Step 22

Fix your chosen legs to the bottom of your table. Be sure to take care when drilling your pilot holes and choosing the screw length, to ensure you don’t drill through the tabletop. 

Once you’ve fitted your legs, your table is complete! All that’s left to do is to add it to your home as a practical or stylish addition to your furnishings!

Show us your creations!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning how to create a beautiful, unique epoxy resin river table. If you’ve made your own river table or you’ve used epoxy resin for other great creations, we’d love to see them! Either comment below or send us a photograph. Alternatively, get in touch via our social media platforms. Find us on Facebook, send us a tweet or connect with us on Instagram. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ecopoxy to @AxminsterTools.

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Ecopoxy are a leader in the research and development of high bio content epoxy resins. The safe, environmentally friendly range are low odour, plant based epoxies that are 100% solid and require no ventilation when using. Find out more about Ecopoxy’s great range of natural resins and epoxies here.