The epoxy resin table is the pinnacle of the modern furniture industry. For many years now, such tables have been a luxury item that can truly decorate. The editors of the site worked in this direction, collecting detailed information about what an epoxy table is, what types it can be, and how you can make it yourself from scrap materials.
Looking closely at this or that building material, you always wonder how good it is, and whether its advantages really outweigh all the disadvantages. The positive qualities of epoxy are as follows:
- increased strength to mechanical damage and moisture resistance;
- long service life;
- ease of care;
- the ability to implement various design solutions;
- availability for independent work - only a little skill and knowledge of a certain technology is required;
- low cost - epoxy resin for pouring countertops is relatively inexpensive when considered in the same row as solid wood or. And in terms of quality characteristics, they are in no way inferior.
Epoxy is not an ideal material in every way. Products made from it also have disadvantages:
- sensitivity to processing with any abrasive compounds - unpleasant remains;
- improperly prepared resin can subsequently compromise the quality of the final product;
- some types of epoxy resins are not resistant to ultraviolet light and over time they begin to give off yellowness;
- release of toxins. They begin to be released into the atmosphere only after prolonged contact with high temperatures, so you should not be afraid to put a hot dish or cup on an epoxy table. But soldering on such countertops or burning them is highly discouraged.
Note! Epoxy resin does not flammable or melt even when in contact with an open flame. But it will poison the air pretty much.
Types of epoxy tables and their features
Looking closely at the purchase of an epoxy resin table and considering the prices, you come to the conclusion: in fact, they are all similar to each other. And such products can be divided into several groups.
Epoxy resin worktops without support surface
An epoxy worktop is a separately manufactured element that can become part of the table or in.
You can simply buy an epoxy countertop and place it on your support base. All that remains is to find the right size and advantageous design.
Countertops made of epoxy resin, wood and other supporting elements
Also, epoxy resin countertops are made on any supporting structures. Most often it is a base made of metal, plastic or solid wood. Someone manages to adapt the bases from old stools and as a support for countertops.
As a rule, craftsmen, for greater reliability, make the supporting elements and the tabletop a single whole, pouring epoxy directly onto them into the pre-installed formwork.
Wooden table with extra filling and epoxy resin
Tables made of wood and epoxy are incredibly popular today. At the same time, in many designer models there is nothing extraordinary - just beautiful (sometimes ugly beautiful) pieces of wood, whole wood blocks, filled with resin. For example, like the tables made of wood and epoxy resin in the photo below.
Other decoration elements can be added to such interesting tables: phosphorus for night glow, sea pebbles, glass, sparkles, shells - only the imagination of the creators will be a limitation here.
Note! Light objects must be sure to stick to the base, otherwise they will float when pouring!
Slab and epoxy table - style and incredible beauty
Making tables out of wood, or rather from slab and epoxy resin, is the trend of the season. First of all, because a slab - a cut from a tree - has a unique texture, shape and pattern. It's like fingerprints: there are no identical cuts, each is unique in its own way. Therefore, products made from them are very highly valued by both aesthetes and manufacturers.
1 out of 5
Making such a table or tabletop yourself is not so difficult. You just need to choose the right slab and fill it with transparent or colored epoxy.
River table based on epoxy resin
A table made of liquid glass and wood, the so-called "river", deserves special attention. In fact, these are two slabs, between which a blue epoxy is poured, perfectly imitating the waters of a clear river. Some models also have a completely covering the entire surface. Here, as they say, the taste and color.
Some craftsmen add phosphorus to the epoxy, which turns such a table into a kind of night light. Countertops with the so-called multi-stage slab look especially interesting, giving mystery and depth. You can also buy tables with fish, reefs and whole sea colonies inside an epoxy filler. But such products are rare. It's easier to make such beauty yourself.
Related article:
: properties, composition, characteristics, selection of the correct components and options for using different solvents and plasticizers, instructions for use and an overview of current prices - read the publication.
If you decide to buy a table made of wood and epoxy resin: focus on the price overview and the main quality criteria
Oh, to love - so the queen, to steal - so a million, to buy a table - so from epoxy! If you are an adherent of just such views, then pay attention to the small nuances when choosing such furniture, so that later you do not complain about the armless craftsmen.
It should be noted right away that any epoxy furniture is handmade. Therefore, the risk of marriage is great. Still, the human factor plays a decisive role in the manufacture of such furniture. What should be a quality epoxy table:
- no chips, cracks, scuffs or other defects - even the smallest ones. Do not hesitate and look under the countertop;
- look at the thickness of the countertop - it should be the same on all sides. No slopes and distortions;
- We carefully look at the epoxy - no bubbles, no matter how the seller explains that this is all the way it is needed for greater decorativeness. Air bubbles in the hardened epoxy resin are a sign of an incorrect technology for working with it, this dramatically reduces the quality of the final product;
- whether you need glass on the surface or not is up to you. Keep in mind that glass on a countertop is the most fragile element, unlike epoxy and wood.
As noted, epoxy tables are handcrafted. This means that such an exclusive will cost a lot. For example, small coffee tables can be bought in the price range from 11,000 to 30,000 rubles - or more. Dining and office tables cost from 50,000 rubles - it all depends on the model and prices of the master. Prices shown are current as of September 2018.
Epoxy table manufacturing technology
For those whose hands itch to independently make a table from epoxy resin, we will show you how to do it correctly and inexpensively.
How to choose an epoxy resin for the table - reviews and recommendations
Having watched a bunch of videos about how easy and simple it is to work with epoxy resin, I just want to make a tabletop with my own hands. But from what? For a beginner in this field, the choice of epoxy can be confusing. What types and brands do not exist!
"ED-20" Is one of the popular and inexpensive resins used both for pouring furniture and for decoration. Popularity has earned its low cost. This plus is balanced by a minus - the yellowness of the products. Of course, yellowness is not acquired immediately, but over time, and only if the filled resin was exposed to direct sunlight. It is also characterized by increased ductility, which is not good when working with resin, especially for beginners. To solve such problems, you can purchase an epoxy plasticizer - for example, EpoxyMax DBP.
Feedback on plasticizer for epoxy resin DBF EpoxyMax:
More details at Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_4632884.html.
"Art-Eco"- crystal clear and transparent resin, designed to work with thin products, including countertops. It is recommended to use hardeners during work. Of the negative aspects, yellowness is noted on transparent products under direct sunlight. This disadvantage is eliminated by the use of dyes, which can also be purchased from this manufacturer.
"QTP-1130"- ideal for pouring tables and worktops, provided that the epoxy layer is no more than 3 mm thick. It is easy to work with - no additional plasticizers or hardeners are needed. Self-leveling, which is very convenient for beginners.
"EP-SM-PRO"- inexpensive composite epoxy resin. Good for working with wood. Mixes homogeneously, practically no bubbles appear, transparency is good, solidifies to the end and relatively quickly. It has a liquid consistency, which must be taken into account when forming the formwork - it can leak even through small cracks.
Feedback on working with epoxy resin Composite-project EP-SM-PRO:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_6214951.html
PEO-610KE, EpoxyMaster 2.0, EpoxAcast 690. Products made from these resins are not afraid and have crystal transparency. It is pleasant to work with such compositions - they are not viscous, they quickly and completely freeze, they have a slight tendency to self-leveling.
"ArtLine Crystal Epoxy"- suitable for work with both jewelry and tabletop fillings of small thickness. Liquid, transparent, well leveled with a spatula. The products are transparent and distortion-free. Bubbles are practically not formed and are easily removed. Does not react very well with some dried flowers. If you work with just such a filling, determine in advance whether there is a conflict between the epoxy and the herbarium. Feedback on the use of a similar epoxy resin is below.
Feedback on the use of "ArtLine Crystal Epoxy" epoxy resin:
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_6603877.html
"MG-EPOX-STRONG"- epoxy resin for universal use, more recommended for pouring countertops and tables. It has excellent quality and performance characteristics. It's a pleasure to work with her. Suitable for pouring thick tabletops and for working with various fillers - from weightless phosphorus to heavy stones and coins. At the same time, there is no yellowness, high mechanical strength and resistance to high temperatures.
- A drawing is made, according to which the supporting structure, formwork and fillers, if any, are worked out in detail.
- Depending on the type of epoxy selected, the consistency and the appropriate dilution proportions are selected for further work.
Note! Some formulations are not diluted, you can work with them almost immediately - and this leads to an increase in the cost of the final product.
Support structure fabrication
In our small master class, we will consider how you can make it simple from the materials available to everyone, resulting in designer furniture.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | You will need: two circles of wood, which will act as a rack, glue, preferably on an epoxy basis, a thick furniture border, epoxy itself and filler - beer caps. In our master class, a purchased design was used. |
 | Assembling the support structure. Thoroughly degrease the surface and prime. |
Formwork and filling preparation
We do the first fitting - we spread the filler around the perimeter of the countertop in order to understand how thick to glue the furniture tape.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | It all depends on the thickness of the decor, you need it to be buried in the epoxy at least half. |
 | Gently glue the tape on the tabletop, since this is not just a formwork, but a part of our table. |
 | We lay out the decor on the countertop exactly as it will look in the final version. We remember the location and remove everything. |
 | We take the glue and apply it to the back of the lid. |
 | We glue all the covers to the countertop. We do this carefully, as each glue drip will be visible on the transparent surface. |
Epoxy preparation
How to prepare epoxy resin - the instructions on the package will tell you. In our case, we used "Epoxy Master 2.0". It is a two-component formulation. If you need to add colors, add color only to component "A" until you get the desired shade. Mix thoroughly.
Note! To better dissolve the pigment, we put it for a while to a battery or in a water bath, the temperature of which will not be more than 40 ° C, but not less than 30 ° C. If the resin overheats, it can be thrown away.
Add component "B" - hardener, in a ratio of 100: 35, as indicated in the instructions. Mix thoroughly. If bubbles suddenly form, then the resin can be heated with a hairdryer, while stirring until they evaporate. The shelf life of the resulting solution is approximately 7 hours.
How to properly fill the countertop with epoxy resin
The most important stage of work is pouring with resin. The most important thing here is to follow the instructions exactly. Gently pour in the diluted composition from the middle. Under the weight of its gravity, it will begin to level out. If the area of the countertop is large, then expand the fill radius. When the entire volume is filled up to the edges of the formwork, smooth out the epoxy with a trowel as carefully as possible. If the surface is not leveled with the thickness of the formwork, fill up the missing grams as accurately as possible and level it again. We leave our tabletop to solidify until the end.
Basically, we got a final product that you can use for your own pleasure. The use of "Epoxy Master 2.0" does not imply final grinding of the product. But if you still need it, we recommend watching the video on how to make a table from epoxy resin with your own hands.
Epoxy resin, although harmless in a cured state, can cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes in the working state. Therefore, we work with it only in good quality rubber gloves - without the risk of sudden gaps. These gloves will need to be discarded immediately after one priming session.
Also, do not forget about glasses, a respirator. The latter may not be worn - it all depends on the type of epoxy used. We carefully read the instructions before buying. We also cover all parts of the body with clothes - no open skin. Be sure to work with epoxy only in well-ventilated rooms, where you and your household do not sleep or stay in a row for more than 5 hours. If the curing time of the resin is more than 3 days, it is necessary to purchase a dust and organic filter.
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Epoxy is a popular creative material. With its help, you can make jewelry with your own hands - earrings, pendants, and other jewelry. Furniture made of epoxy will be no less beautiful: it goes well with wood, wood shavings and sawdust, cuts of stumps and twigs.
Products made of epoxy resin and wood will decorate any interior, in addition, the price of such an exclusive is very high, and you can earn money on this.
Material application
Resin uses are varied. It finds application in most major industrial sectors:
- electronics;
- aviation;
- manufacture of machines;
- repair of equipment;
- shipbuilding;
- building;
- fiberglass production;
- pouring floors;
- production of glue, putty, grout;
- production of paints and varnishes.
You can also work with epoxy at home. It is ideal for the manufacture and processing of furniture made of natural wood and its derivatives, slabs. With the help of pouring, you can make an original stool, chair or table, cabinet doors. Souvenirs, jewelry, watches, figurines, cutting boards and products for the kitchen, bathroom, vases, tambourines and other toys for children are also beautiful.
Various types and states of glue
There are different brands of epoxy on sale - domestic and imported. Most of them are suitable for making furniture. It is only important to decide whether a colored or transparent resin is needed for decoration. Usually, so that beautiful cuts of wood and its fibers are visible, they acquire transparent compositions. For example, the quality resin YD-128 is colorless and transparent, like glass. Epoxy MG-Epox-Strong also has no complaints about transparency, it is even suitable for creating jewelry. By the way, such resins can be combined with colored ones - to make bright blotches inside the bulk.
These materials are two-component adhesives. The liquid resin is stabilized by adding the hardener supplied in the second bottle. You will not be able to pour furniture parts into molds with thick pastes, so you should not buy them.
There are 5 main states of resin:
- liquid - this is a material without a hardener or immediately after its introduction, has excellent fluidity;
- honey-like - resembles molasses, already a little thickened resin, which is better used for layer-by-layer filling of crafts;
- thick - the fluidity is sharply reduced, the mass does not flow well and is only suitable for gluing parts or for putty;
- rubbery - epoxy resembles rubber or hardened plasticine, sticky, but can change shape;
- solid - fully cured resin.
Differences between resin and glue
In master classes on pouring wood products, it is necessary to use epoxy resin, but not glue based on it. Main material differences:
- the curing time of the glue cannot be changed, and the freezing rate of the resin can be increased or slowed down;
- the glue turns yellow, the resin remains transparent;
- the glue has low elasticity, while the resin is malleable, it allows you to carry out the work required by the master;
- glue is used to join parts, it will not be possible to fill the product with it, almost any figurines can be made from resin.
Pros and cons of epoxy for wood
Previously, epoxy was used in the form of glue for various parts; it was almost never used in art. Later, floors were poured with this material, noting its low abrasion, high strength and durability. Now resins with dyes or in their pure form are widely used to create unique products for the home. The advantages of epoxy for wood are as follows:
- the mass can be given any shape - it flows, fills the smallest pits, depressions and cracks;
- the hardened product is easy to grind and polish, you can drill holes in it, sharpen grooves;
- there are epoxy on sale in different colors, but even a transparent resin can be given any shade by introducing a dye;
- since the composition does not shrink, the furniture will retain its attractiveness for a long time.
The tool also has disadvantages. So, you need to strictly observe the proportions of resin and hardener, otherwise the mass can be irretrievably damaged. Resin is expensive, especially with transparent grades. The cost of large items will turn out to be large. Another disadvantage is the toxicity of epoxy. During work, you will have to use a respirator, gloves, glasses, and ventilate the room well. After hardening, the composition is safe.
Features of working with epoxy
Wood is heterogeneous in structure, therefore, air can accumulate inside its parts, around which a vacuum is formed. After a change in temperature, the material expands or contracts, therefore, until the moment of complete solidification, air bubbles often appear on the surface, released from the internal cavities of the wood.
To avoid defects, it is necessary to stabilize the temperature in the room for 2-3 hours after pouring the epoxy. It is advisable not to work outside or choose a time in the afternoon when the sun is not so hot. If you intend to perform a thick layer of epoxy, it is better to divide the work into 2 stages. The risk of bubbles appearing in thin layers is lower.
Impregnation of wood with epoxy
For high-quality impregnation of wood with epoxy, the base, on the contrary, is heated. After the pores of the wood have expanded, they will perfectly absorb the mass, which will also become very liquid in contact with a hot surface. After the impregnated wood hardens, it is covered with a finishing layer on top. When drying, you will have to control the temperature again so that the air does not come out to the surface.
Eliminate air bubbles
It happens that bubbles still appear on the top of the fill. It is not necessary to heat the product; this may cause the formation of new bubbles. Better to use a thin needle to pierce the balloons. Another option to remove them is to sprinkle the resin with alcohol from a spray bottle. Although in this case there is a risk of discoloration or the degree of transparency of the mass. Large bubbles are removed after the resin has set. They are drilled, cleaned, degreased and re-filled.
Resin Uses - Design Options
Transparent resins for optical embeddings are ideal for combination with wood. Any design "tricks" will be visible through them - crumbs, sawdust, metal elements. If you decide to add a color scheme, it is better to buy it of the same brand, so that there are no problems with mixing.
Colored masses are usually cloudy, and they are not used for the main fill. But the filling with a colored composition of the pores of the tree, voids from knots, bark beetle moves looks beautiful. For example, a shelf or bar counter in which cracks are painted with resin with luminescent dyes will be unique. Then the furniture will glow on its own.
There are other interesting design tricks as well. So, when you add a droplet of water to the resin, you get milk stains. Also, drops make beautiful blotches in colored epoxy.
Cut furniture
Furniture that resembles a piece of jewelry looks unusual - its details are cut. For example, a beautiful stump is enclosed in a transparent cube, ground, polished and given clear edges. The product can be used as a table, chair, or simply installed as an element of the interior.
Solid wood table
To create a design table, use the technique of staining grooves and holes, which you can do yourself. Any kind of wood will do. You can take a single piece or make a tabletop from glued strips. To prevent the painted resin from leaking out, the boards are covered with paper tape from the inside, which is removed after hardening. The hardened resin is sanded and then varnished.
Pouring table
This method of creating furniture is more complex. Thick glass or plywood is used as the basis for the decor, which is given the shape of the future table. Light decorative elements must be glued, because they can float. Next, they make a side that will hold the epoxy on the base. It is neatly nailed down with furniture studs.
The base must be dry before pouring. The pores of the wood are treated with an epoxy primer. At one time, fill is made no more than 1 cm thick. Large pieces of wood, stones will have to be hidden in the resin several times, performing the work in layers. Each stage is carried out two days after the previous one. You can use the table only after 7 days, after the same period it is grinded and polished if necessary. It is advisable to cover the pouring tables with varnish - this will reduce the risk of minor defects.
Shelves
To create luminous or regular shelves, use boards of the right size. The areas affected by mold and fungus are removed with a hand tool. Next, the resin is mixed with a dye, choosing the desired color. On the reverse side, the board is sealed with tape, and the pores are filled with a dye composition. After drying, a layer of transparent resin is applied. At the end of the work, the surface is varnished.
Table with a map inside
Such a table is made in the same way, only a cut of a tree trunk with many cracks, streaks, and branches is selected. Holes are drilled to imitate a map of the world - seas, oceans. After that, the product is poured, painting the resin in the desired tones.
Ice in the house
A bar or countertop can be made to resemble a block of ice. Such plates are cast in molds with colored resin “cracks” inside. The use of such a product in the interior will become a unique design technique.
LED lamp made of wood and epoxy
Even bedside lamps and lamps can be made from epoxy resin. In such a device, a diode lamp is attached to the bottom of the frame; it also serves as a stand. The order of work is as follows:
- From pieces of chipboard, assemble a box 33x20 cm with strict observance of angles of 90 degrees, it will serve as a mold for pouring.
- Place the box on a flat surface, pull it off with clamps, seal the cracks with sealant.
- Dilute dark resin and cover with a thin layer.
- After hardening, lay the piece of wood with the bark inside, decorate with decor (for example, dry moss).
- Pour clear resin on top (3 cm thick).
- Allow the product to dry.
- Attach it to the lamp.
Resin Jewelry
For self-production of rings, key rings, pendants, earrings and other jewelry, you need to purchase suitable molds - silicone molds. You will also need high quality transparent resin, decor - rhinestones, glitter, beads, sequins.
Decorations with dried flowers
To make such jewelry, you need to prepare flowers in advance. Forget-me-not, veronica, heather, small roses or individual petals, buds look beautiful. Stencils of the desired shape are drawn on paper, laid out on a clean, film-covered surface. Top stencils are covered with multiforme.
The finished diluted resin is applied directly to the multifor, carefully distributing according to the stencil, using a wooden stick until it reaches a height of 2-3 cm.Then, the mass is covered with a dome shape on top - this option is ideal for making earrings, pendants. In a day, the workpieces are removed from the multifor, the dome is removed, and well polished. The work is repeated, only dried flowers are laid inside the workpiece. After that, both halves are glued together.
Bracelets
For work, you will need special molds for bracelets, resin, a mixing container, a stick and any decor. The filler is laid out in a dry form, the resin is carefully poured (in a thin stream). Spread the decor with a toothpick, pierce the air bubbles. Allow the workpiece to harden (24 hours), then grind it, removing it from the mold. To add gloss, the bracelet is varnished.
Colored resin products
Any jewelry can be made not only from transparent, but also from colored epoxy. On sale there are dyes of all colors of the rainbow, fluorescent and fluorescent colors. The work on filling the jewelry will be similar, only the resin is pre-painted with dry pigment. Knead it carefully, strictly in a circle, so that air bubbles do not appear. The workpieces are covered with lids so that dust does not get on them.
Some people prefer to fill in whole blocks, after cutting out sets of jewelry from them. By the way, when decorating them, it is quite possible to use a tree - tiny twigs, twigs, sawdust. This will give the jewelry uniqueness and originality, allowing you to create a real designer accessory.
Designers and needlewomen have learned to preserve whole worlds frozen in glass. In fact, all these shells, tiny buds, leaves and insects are forever frozen not in glass or amber, but in a simple and accessible to everyone epoxy resin. And you don't need to have a laboratory or a separate room to create one yourself. Today we will learn how to create epoxy resin with our own hands, and then make your own masterpiece with it.
Advantages of epoxy and how it differs from epoxy adhesive
Despite the fact that the name contains the word "resin", you will not find natural ingredients in its composition, because it is a completely synthetic product created in laboratories for many areas - from construction to handicraft.
Epoxy resin Is a mixture of two components: the hardener and the resin itself. Depending on the ratio of the parts of the hardener and the resin included in it, it can be thick, liquid or even dense. Therefore, it is very important to follow the instructions on the labels when mixing epoxy at home.
Epoxy resin properties
Epoxy resin is great for making jewelry, decorative items and even covering large surfaces. It has the following properties:
- it is very durable
- not subject to abrasive wear,
- transparent,
- well waterproofed,
- absolutely non-toxic after curing.
Do not forget that you can also find epoxy glue on store shelves, which is completely unsuitable for us. To begin with, the glue itself is a resin derivative. It contains not only epoxy resin, but also a solvent, plasticizer, hardener and filler. Therefore, it is also durable, not subject to wear and tear and holds the parts to be glued tightly.
Differences between resin and glue
There are significant differences between resin and glue, which reveal disadvantages that are unacceptable for our purposes:
- The glue has a specific cure time that cannot be controlled, while the cure of the resin can be accelerated.
- The resin retains its transparency for a long time, while the glue begins to turn yellow rather quickly.
- Epoxy is less elastic and hardens faster, while resin is more pliable and allows you to work with it more accurately.
- Glue can only be used to join parts, while resin is suitable for making beads and other shapes of a given shape.
- Depending on the proportion used when mixing resin and hardener, we can get the right consistency that suits our needs, the glue is sold as a ready-made mixture.
Resin safety rules
In order not to get harm from the vapors that are formed when the hardener and resin are mixed (the polymerization process entails a significant generation of heat), it is necessary to follow some safety rules.
- Arm yourself with gloves.
- Wear a face shield or respirator to avoid hurting yourself.
- Ventilate the area while working.
- Warn household members not to enter the room while you are busy, or be sure to wear a mask.
- Before starting work, organize your workplace so that afterwards you will not be distracted.
If you do not have a special surface for work, you can use a film or a simple file so as not to worry about the table and what may happen to it during the work.
How to make DIY epoxy
After reading the instructions, having prepared all the materials and the workplace, as well as following safety precautions, you can start creating epoxy for your ideas.
So, to create an epoxy resin with our own hands, we need:
- resin and hardener,
- disposable syringes or measuring cups,
- stirring stick (toothpick, skewer or other piece of wood suitable for the length).
Carefully read the instructions for the components of the epoxy resin
First, mix the ingredients in one small container.
It is necessary to mix the components while observing the temperature regime not exceeding + 25 ° C.
It is most convenient to measure the required amount of resin and hardener with disposable syringes, so you will know the exact proportion and will not lose a drop when pouring them into a common vessel. Or use measuring cups, considering that from now on, they cannot be used for anything else.
Do not try to make stocks, as the mixture polymerizes and becomes unusable for further use.
Gently mix the resulting composition in a circle to reduce the likelihood of bubbles appearing, because they can ruin the appearance of the epoxy resin craft.
If the bubbles cannot be avoided, then they can be dealt with. To do this, you first need to let the mixture settle, and then warm it up. The bubbles will surely rise to the surface, which will allow us to carefully remove them. After that, the mixture can be used for your ideas.
Post-hardening resin processing
After the resin has set, it may need to be handled as the composition may appear cloudy or uneven. Thanks to the elasticity of the composition, we can bring it to mind, and not be disappointed to throw it into the trash can, believing that nothing came of it.
The resin became cloudy after curing
For grinding the product, sandpaper, or even a nail polish router, is suitable.
Since there will be a lot of dust during grinding, it is worth wearing a respirator, and it is best to moisten the sandpaper with water.
In this workshop from DreamWorkshop, you will find step-by-step photos of the resin making process and some great tips on how to make cured resin transparent and smooth using the simplest tools.
DIY epoxy crafts
So, we learned how to get epoxy on our own, talked about precautions and organization of the workplace. It's time to try your hand further. After all, creating crafts from epoxy resin with your own hands is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.
To begin with, it is worth noting that a material such as epoxy is quite versatile and can be used in needlework in different ways. From it, both individual jewelry and accessories are created, which are complemented by works made in other techniques. It is great for figurines, cabochons and even stained glass windows.
Crafts making with molds - molds
The most common form of resin use is filling silicone molds with it. The resulting blanks can be further used as pendants, beads, pendants for or, key rings, etc. The variety of molds allows you to create even rings and bracelets from epoxy resin.
Such molds should be made of high-quality platinum silicone, which will be resistant to the poured solution and will make it easy to remove the frozen product from it.
Advantages of Moldova
The advantages of such casting forms are precisely that:
- currently they can be bought at any craft store
- they are plastic
- do not react with resin
- do not stick to her
What decor to use when creating crafts
Molds are great for pouring dried flowers, foliage, moss or shells into them - any volumetric element. To do this, you only need epoxy resin, a suitable silicone mold, and pre-prepared decorative elements.
Be sure to pay attention to preparation! Leaves, flowers and buds must be carefully dried so that over time they do not turn black, spoiling the finished product with their appearance. Shells, crystals and stones are best degreased with alcohol or solvent, and then dried too.
Not only dense decorative elements can be added to the resin, but also leaf, shine and even stained glass paint, but a little (so as not to spoil the ratio of the main components and not to violate the given consistency).
Epoxy crafts can be decorated with plants ...
... sparkles ...
With this method of filling, decorative elements are most often unevenly distributed over the shape of the product. This is clearly seen in the example with the bracelet:
In the case when the decorative elements are small, heavy and / or you just want to place them in the center of the form, it is first recommended to fill the mold with resin, and then immerse the necessary decor in it - leaves, small shells, dried berries - whatever your heart desires!
Method 2. When the resin has settled, pour it into the mold in a thin stream, distribute it evenly over the entire mold, and then immerse the selected decorative elements in it, helping yourself with a toothpick.
If you are limited in time or are afraid of bubbles appearing, you can send the form to the oven, preheated to 80 ° C (off and ventilated) for 15-20 minutes. After that, let the workpiece stand in the mold for at least 24 hours so as not to damage the resin surface. Gently remove the bracelet, sand it from the top side and varnish it to keep it safe.
To get started, prepare the clay - roll or twist the strips of the desired length using a paste machine, rolling pin or extruder. After that, wrap the resulting blank into the shape you like to make a frame, and send it to the oven, following the instructions indicated on the clay pack.
When the frame for your future jewelry has cooled down, free it from the mold and you can start pouring it with epoxy.
More details on the technology of making frames from polymer clay can be found in the master class of the author Rusalina.
Method 2: wire frame
If you are familiar with the basics of the Wire Wrap technique, then a wire will come to your aid, which can be twisted into any frame or base to surprise those around you with your author's vision of jewelry.
Method 3: working with wood
Working with self-made molds allows you to go beyond the frames invented by hardware manufacturers. But nevertheless, such a combination of techniques requires more perseverance, accuracy and time, since now you yourself create frames and frames, which is a laborious, but at the same time very interesting process.
Natural wood is natural ...
…beauty…
…and style
However, such products are not so easy to make, moreover, they require a whole arsenal of special tools, since the tree itself needs to be fully processed and cleaned so that the result does not disappoint.
But if difficulties and painstaking work are your passion, and the house already has tools for woodworking, then be sure to try yourself in the unique technique of creating crafts from epoxy resin of various sizes and purposes.
Is jewelry all that epoxy can do?
And yet, despite the fact that these days most often we find epoxy only as decoration, it continues to be popular in other directions as well. So it is used to fill the handles of knives, to decorate flash drives, key rings and even pens.
Experienced craftsmen went even further by using epoxy to fill large surfaces. Tables with an incredible imitation of water in the middle or a simple and even surface, from under which an original image protrudes, more resistant to fading, is a reality created by those who love to challenge their talent.
Wooden table top with transparent epoxy resin insert
The table top is completely filled with epoxy resin
Those who remain faithful to small forms have also found their own author's style: pocket mirrors and even articulated dolls! It turns out that resin can realize any of our ideas.
As you can see, epoxy is capable of a lot and is limited only by the imagination of those who are seriously interested in working with it. Try it and you will go from your first cabochons and beads to masterpieces worthy of the world's museums of epoxy crafts!
Modern and non-standard furniture manufacturing techniques are becoming more and more popular. For example, a wood / epoxy table is an excellent alternative to conventional products. With the right approach, you can create real designer things. This can be a great idea to start your own business. First of all, you need to figure out how to make a table out of epoxy resin and wood with your own hands and where to start.
Our business valuation:
Initial investments - from 100,000 rubles.
Market saturation is medium.
The complexity of starting a business is 4/10.
Features of wood and epoxy tables
Epoxy resin furniture is unique in appearance and transforms the home environment. The working surface of the table made of epoxy material has the following advantages:
- Excellent performance.
- Affordable price.
- Resistant to moisture.
- Easy maintenance.
- Variety of design solutions.
Epoxy resin is a transparent substance with a 3 D effect. When solidified, this substance solidifies and retains the desired shape. Epoxy comes in a variety of states. Some are suitable for working flat surfaces. When dry, the composition retains its original volume. The advantage of the material is its price. Approximately 200-280 rubles per kg.
Varieties of epoxy tables
Various types of wood can be used with epoxy. These can be saw cuts, board trimmings, logs and old wood. The design of the product can be supplemented with spruce branches, pebbles, shells, corks and coins.
The following design options are worth noting:
- To make a luminous table, you can add luminescent powder to the resin.
- Resin is used as a finishing option for countertops to fill imperfections.
- The epoxy table-river looks spectacular. The role of the coastline is played by wood of an unusual configuration. The result is the effect of a river flowing over the surface. This uses a cast resin insert between two pieces of wood.
- An interesting solution can be a table filled with epoxy resin. In this case, resin is used as a canvas, and wood as an additional decor.
Tables - rivers were first invented by Greg Klassen, but the designer uses glass and black walnut as materials. Epoxy resin technology requires meticulousness and meticulousness.
How to make a table?
To make money on the manufacture of unusual tables, it is worth understanding what the technology of their production consists of. To make a table out of wood and epoxy, you need a base.
The manufacturing process includes the following steps:
- You can take a piece of wood or plywood as a base. In the latter case, the product can be given any shape. The future tabletop can be round or oval.
- To keep the fill on the surface, the sides should be attached to the base. They can be plastics.
- The substrate must be dry and clean. Then you need to lay out the design blanks on the surface.
- Then the table is poured with epoxy resin. If the thickness of the countertop is not more than 0.5 cm, then the liquid mass is poured immediately.
- If the thickness is greater, then the filling is done in several stages.
- After pouring the first layer, you need to wait two days. Then the procedure is repeated.
If bubbles appear in the process, then they are dispersed with a hot hairdryer. To avoid the formation of bubbles, it is necessary to treat each workpiece with resin. After the layers have hardened, the sides must be removed and sanded off the edges and surface.
Old furniture can be refurbished with epoxy. To do this, you need to clean the surface, remove the varnish, apply a layer of paint, and then fill it with resin. The complete polymerization process takes a week.
You can make a partial fill. Flaws in wood can be natural, that is, the surface is corroded by bark beetles and fungus. They can also be made artificially. When pouring the mixture, the holes on the back side can be sealed with mounting tape so that the resin does not leak out.
Features of the business of making tables based on epoxy resin
Before starting a business in the manufacture of epoxy resin tables, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the specifics of this production. First of all, you will need to rent a room with an area of at least 50 sq. M. There are no special requirements for the premises. But it is important to take into account that it will often be necessary to manufacture countertops with a non-standard configuration.
Equipment
Therefore, you need to choose the right tools and equipment. It is worth stocking up on the following inventory:
- High power milling cutter.
- Jigsaw for cutting sheets.
- Sanding machine.
The compulsory equipment of the mini-workshop is an assembly table. To make a table from solid wood and epoxy resin, you will also need a certain consumable. These are sanding pads, glue gun, trimmers and clamps.
Suppliers
Raw materials and suppliers are also important. You can purchase chipboard panels, plywood or wood sheets. It is worth considering different offers and choosing the most acceptable option. Elm cuts, as well as ash and oak boards are suitable for production. In addition to wood suppliers, you need to find good sellers of resin, varnish and oils. For some structures, the services of a welder and a carpentry workshop may be required, where basic processing is performed - sawing and grinding.
Despite the seeming simplicity of such furniture, special skills and knowledge will be required for the manufacture of countertops. You may need to take a special carpentry course. The sales market deserves special attention. Manufacturers often work directly with furniture companies.
Expenses
The amount of costs depends on the volume of production. The price of a table made of epoxy resin and wood is usually three times higher than its cost.
At the stage of starting a business, the costs can be as follows:
- The purchase of materials is 50-200 thousand rubles.
- Payment for rent of premises - 15-20 thousand.
- Conducting an inexpensive advertising campaign - 3-10 thousand rubles.
The approximate cost of finished tables for one running meter varies from 12,000 rubles. By calculating the number of manufactured products in meters per day, you can find out the revenue and profitability. The approximate value of profitability is not less than 40%. You can buy a table made of epoxy resin and good quality wood at a price of 30 to 100 thousand rubles. The cost depends on the material used and the craftsmanship. A small coffee table may cost 25-30 thousand, and the price for a dining table may exceed 110 thousand.
You can find customers through social media. networks or ads on Avito. In case of large production, you can create your own website. It is not the best option to sell products through furniture boutiques, where they can get lost among the variety of all kinds of products.
Nuances of making tables at home
Before you start making tables from epoxy and wood at home, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the intricacies of the process. It is important to decide on the choice of epoxy resin. These products must be transparent and have a low viscosity. This will provide excellent fluidity and tight filling even in hard-to-reach areas. Due to the transparency of the resin, different effects can be achieved:
- Fill all kinds of decor items - dry leaves, stones, pictures and shells.
- Organize original lighting.
- Tint the resin.
The room must be well ventilated. You can create forced ventilation. The temperature should not exceed 22 degrees. Dust and high levels of humidity can ruin a slab and epoxy table.
For the formwork, you will also need a certain material. The form or formwork is made of plexiglass, plastic or plywood. You will also need release agents such as wax.
To mix epoxy, you will need a bowl, a stirring stick and two measuring containers. Read the instructions before mixing. The proportions of the components may vary depending on the manufacturer. First you need to measure out the resin and then the special hardener. Then you need to wait until the resin has reached a suitable consistency. Liquid formulation is suitable for filling all corners and cavities. The thick consistency is used as an adhesive.
To make a high quality epoxy table, it is recommended to follow some rules:
- The resin hardens poorly in high humidity. Condensation can escape from the air. To prevent an unpleasant phenomenon, you can hang a film over the countertop.
- The mixture will harden faster if the worktop is placed on top of the battery. It is impossible to heat from above, as the surface may become uneven.
- It is necessary to prepare personal protective equipment - respirator, goggles and gloves.
- The tabletop may turn yellow from exposure to UV rays.
- All horizontal surfaces in the "resin attack" zone must be covered with polyethylene.
- If the bubbles do not come out well, then it is recommended to warm up the surface with a construction hairdryer or inject acetone from a spray bottle. These manipulations will reduce the surface tension.
Today, there are many materials from which you can get aesthetic and practical furniture, and epoxy has recently been included in their number. With the help of wood and this glue, rather interesting design tables and shelves are made. Below we will tell you all about the technical process.
Until recently, this two-component adhesive was widely used mainly for the reliable connection of various materials, then it began to be used as a component for self-leveling floors. At the same time, such properties as low surface abrasion, high strength, durability were noted. Further, some transparent grades began to be used for very interesting dioramas, where epoxy resin with dyes imitated water. Moreover, the creators made whole tables depicting various landscapes. Perhaps it was these experiments that prompted the creation of designer furniture from wood and epoxy glue.
Epoxy can be shaped into any shape
The main thing that can be noted as the advantage of the aforementioned polymer resin is the ability to give it any shape due to fluidity in a liquid state and plasticity at the stage of solidification.... In addition, the hardened glue is quite easy to process, in particular: it is ground and polished, if necessary, it can be drilled, and grooves can be ground in it. There are brands that are absolutely transparent after hardening, and those that have a red, brown, yellowish or whitish color to the full depth. In this case, in a liquid consistency, it is allowed to add various components that improve or simply change the properties of the composition. The main positive property of the glue is the absence of shrinkage due to the fact that the composition hardens exclusively due to a chemical reaction, and, as a result, a flat surface is maintained.
Now let's talk about the disadvantages. The fact that the cured epoxy resin is easy to process is sometimes also a minus, since scratches easily appear on the surface. Otherwise, the wear resistance of this material is very high. Another factor that hinders the widespread use of glue for the production of furniture is its price, which is quite impressive and allows you to create only single designer items. Especially expensive are the brands that differ in absolute transparency after solidification. And, of course, do not forget about the toxicity of the polymer resin fumes, which should be carried out in well-ventilated rooms and always wear a respirator.
Today there are many brands of domestic and foreign production. For the manufacture of furniture, in fact, any are suitable, if you do not have special requirements for the result, however, if you want to combine wood with epoxy resin, you definitely need transparent compounds. Otherwise, you will not be able to show the beauty of wood fibers in the depth of the fill. As a rule, among the imported options, you should pay attention to the brand YD-128 characterized by a high degree of transparency. Also proved to be excellent MG-Epox-Strong used for filling and obtaining transparent optical products. If you need a colored finish, use MG Epox White- this type is characterized by a milky white color.
For filling, you need glue of a liquid consistency
All of the above options are a two-component glue of a liquid consistency, which, in fact, you need for pouring, since pasty is not suitable for this purpose. It should be noted that different brands can be quite successfully combined with each other, in this case milk inclusions of the same type of glue can be enclosed in the thickness of the transparent filling. It will look especially impressive with the addition of dyes and in combination with wood inclusions. The main thing is not to mix too large portions, since in this case the reaction with the hardener heats the composition, which makes it polymerize faster.
There are 5 states of glue. If it has a liquid base, its consistency after mixing with a hardener will be appropriate, such an epoxy resin should have good flow properties. It is she who is recommended to fill in the manufacture of a furniture panel, be it a shelf of a shelf or a future wall of a chest of drawers. The thicker version, like honey or molasses, is suitable for gluing and for pouring in layers. Thickened to the point where there is almost no fluidity and separate parts are difficult to separate, sometimes it is suitable as a putty. Further, the glue begins to resemble rubber, or plasticine, however, it remains very sticky, which does not prevent it from giving it an arbitrary shape with a stick or wire. And finally, the last state is completely solidified.
As mentioned above, 2 types of glue are used for the manufacture of furniture - transparent and matte, and each of them can be colored. We will now look at both options in more detail. For various combinations with wood or other inclusions, it is best to use transparent mixtures, especially those used for optical castings. In this case, even through a thick layer of glue, every detail of the inclusion will be clearly visible, whether it be fibers, trimming wood or metal elements (for example, old badges or gears). When you add a special dye, the opacity decreases slightly, but not completely, but the fill gets a saturated color.
You can create interesting interior items from colored epoxy
If you want to get a high-quality dyed mixture, add the color scheme of the same manufacturer that made the adhesive mass.
Colored mixtures are initially somewhat cloudy, they can be called rather translucent, and they are unsuitable as the main fill covering the wood. The reason is simple - any inclusions will simply not be visible. But you can do the opposite and fill in such all kinds of cavities in the cut of wood, voids from knots, openings of woodworms on the saw cut. A luminescent dye combined with glue will look especially impressive. Then the slightest illumination will be enough for the furniture panel or tabletop to start glowing by itself.
Such a combination as epoxy and wood has worked well for the simple reason that a perfectly smooth surface is obtained, and at the same time, the pouring consumption is relatively small. The main volume is occupied by wood, which is covered from all sides by a thin layer of polymer resin. However, be prepared for the fact that the expense will still be significant. It is easy to calculate that 10 square centimeters of filling with a thickness of 1 centimeter will take 100 grams of glue. Accordingly, 10 liters of the composition will be needed per 1 square meter, and 20 liters for the 1x2 meter countertop. And this is only for the top layer, but if you make a layer of epoxy thicker, in order to immerse wood scraps or a boardboard into it, you will need at least 2 times more mixture.
There are quite a few subtleties of using glue. In particular, an interesting effect can be achieved by adding a little water to the composition. At this point, milky white streaks form, similar to a nebula. That is, with small drops of water, you can get beautiful blotches in the painted epoxy. You can make a multi-color coating by filling portions painted with different colors in portions or dividing them with small thin plastic barriers. But such fillings should be quite thin, no more than 0.5 centimeters, on top you will need another, transparent layer. You can paint the composition with ordinary dry gouache, as well as writing ink (including paste from ballpoint pens), oil and nitro paints.
Epoxy has very strong adhesion to almost all materials, in other words, if you choose the wrong formwork, the glue will stick to it tightly. The only thing that epoxy does not stick to is plexiglass, the main thing is that there are no scratches and chips on it. Also, some craftsmen recommend using strips and sheets of polished aluminum. If you only want to finish the table from the top, epoxy is poured into the formwork, which is fixed to the side edges of the panel. Accordingly, the ends of the countertop will not be covered with glue.
If only the surface of the countertop is to be coated with resin, formwork should be done
It is quite another matter if you need a thickness of a transparent polymer, inside which, like an insect in amber, a saw cut of wood or its individual fragments will be enclosed. In this case, the inclusions should be fixed with an ordinary starch paste on the base, which will serve as a large sheet of plexiglass. If you want the wood to be in the middle of the epoxy, attach the inclusion to the sides of the formwork. The walls of the mold must be attached to the base sheet only from the outside, so that they can be easily detached after the mixture has completely solidified.
We knead and fill in epoxy - we make a transparent or colored panel
It is noteworthy that the reaction after mixing the main component of the glue with the hardener is accompanied by heating of the composition. And the larger the portion volume, the stronger the heating, the faster the epoxy sets. Therefore, it is recommended to use only small containers. Some experts advise adding acetone to the main component, about 10% of the total, and only before mixing with the hardener. This will reduce heat and prolong the hardening process of the composition. You can also influence the hardening process by slowing it down somewhat by cooling the dishes. With a sharp cooling, solidification in the future will proceed very slowly, over several days.
Furniture made of transparent epoxy resin is of two types - solid cast or assembled from pre-fabricated panels. In the first case, the stools look like pedestals, the tables are more like thick slabs, while the second option is closer to the classic furniture samples. But whichever type you choose, before the wood and the mixed epoxy are connected, the base must be perfectly leveled using a level, it is not difficult to do this with your own hands. Otherwise the mixture will drain to the lower edge. To expose the horizontal, wedges can be placed under the edges, and under the middle of the plank of different thicknesses, so that the plexiglass sheet does not bend. A table made of wood also needs to be leveled by placing thin inserts under the legs.
Now we are preparing the fill. To do this, you will need a small container, approximately 0.5 liters, maximum 1 liter, and a mixing stick. Measurements should be included in the kit, if they are not there, prepare cups with graduations applied to them. We take the main component, measure out a certain amount of it, sufficient to obtain a thin layer. If the epoxy table will have a large area, prepare several containers at once to mix the amount that will create a layer approximately 0.5 centimeters thick. Open all windows to allow fresh air to enter the room.
Be sure to wear special clothes that will not fall off the threads, put your hair under a hat or kerchief, put gloves on your hands. It is highly undesirable for the composition to include hairs, eyelashes, villi. In order for wood and transparent epoxy resin products to be bubble-free, if you find excess inclusions after emptying the container with the composition into the formwork, slightly warm such an area with a hairdryer, the air should escape out. Curing takes several days, especially if the fill forms several layers. Further, to smooth the countertop, we carefully grind and polish the surface with the thinnest emery paper and felt with special pastes.