Epoxy Resin Wood DIY Wood Slice Table Top: 4 Easy Steps Guide

Lumber Grand presents 4 key methods for epoxy resin wood diy wood slice table top. These procedures will help you create a tabletop that combines the smooth, glossy look of resin with the natural wood grain.

How to Choose Wood Slices to Make an Epoxy Table?

For a stunning and long-lasting epoxy resin wood slice table, pick wood with natural patterns that match the shiny effect. The following are common types of wood:

• Walnut: Epoxy wood slice table looks attractive with walnut, which has become famous for its deep, dark tones and interesting grain patterns. During resin curing, its thick structure reduces cracking.

• Oak: Renowned for its ability to endure and apparent development rings, oak provides a touch of natural beauty. Because of its porous nature, it must be thoroughly closed to avoid air bubbles in the resin.

• Maple: Maple's delicate texture and light color provide a contemporary contrast to epoxy's bright color.

• Cedar or Pine: Softwoods, such as pine or cedar, are lightweight and reasonably priced. However, more resin coats could be needed to fill up knots and natural cracks.

Depending on your needs and preferences, choose hardwoods like walnut or maple for a durable, elegant table, or go with softwoods like pine for a more natural, budget friendly option. If you're looking for inspiration, explore some unique epoxy table top ideas to find the perfect match for your personal style and project goals.

Common types of wood for epoxy table top
Photo: Guiyuan, TITUS GROUP, anzeletti, y-studio

How to Make an Epoxy Resin Wood DIY Wood Slice Table Top?

Both accuracy and creativity are needed when creating a DIY epoxy wood slice table. By following these 4 methods from Lumber Grand, you can turn basic materials into a shiny artwork that combines smooth epoxy resin with organic wood textures.

1. Step 1 - Tools & Materials You’ll Need

• Epoxy resin: Select a high quality, slow cure resin to avoid bubbles. For your diy epoxy wood slice table, use methods made for thick pours to equally encapsulate wood slices.

• Wood slices: Make use of slices that have been kiln-dried with smooth, sanded surfaces (120-220 grams). To make sure your epoxy wood slice table is stable, stay away from parts that are distorted or broken.

• Mold/frame: Make a wooden frame or silicone mold that is resistant to leaks. To allow for resin overflow, make sure it is possibly bigger than your wood slices.

• Mixing tools: To reduce air bubbles, use silicone stir sticks and graduated cups for accurate resin-hardener ratios. Reusing contaminated instruments is never a good idea.

• Heat gun or torch: While a heat gun helps spread glue into the narrow spaces between wood slices, a torch effectively breaks surface bubbles.

• PPE: Throughout your work, wear a mask, safety goggles, and nitrile gloves to protect yourself against resin fumes and irritation to the skin.

• Sandpaper & finish coat: To level the cured resin, begin with rough grit and work your way up to smaller grains for polishing. A final clear epoxy coating can be applied for further protection and a glossy finish.

Essential tools and materials for epoxy wood slice table
Photo: Cagan, Thirdman, DigiClicks

2. Step 2 - Preparing Your Wood Slices and Mold

You should use a dry brush to clean the wood slice, then lightly sand the entire surface and edges to increase adhesion. Apply a thin layer of epoxy or wood stabilizer to prevent air bubbles from escaping when pouring resin.

Build the silicone mold flat and tight to avoid leakage, use silicone glue or tape to seal the edges. Place the wood slice in the mold, and use clamps to secure and ensure even gaps to distribute the resin evenly.

Preparing wood and mold for epoxy
Photo: Svetlana Evgrafova

3. Step 3 - Pouring the Epoxy

Apply several coatings of epoxy to thick surfaces to prevent heat buildup and cracking. As instructed, mix in tiny batches, allow the previous coat to cure, and then repeat until the required thickness is reached with preserving transparency.

After every application, carefully inspect the edges and wood joints with a heat gun or blow torch held 6 to 8 inches away to eliminate air bubbles. Before the resin expands, you can use a toothpick to remove stubborn air bubbles close to the wood cracks. To give the resin time to clear, keep the area free of dust for 24 to 48 hours.

Pour epoxy in layers and remove bubbles
Photo: Thirdman from Pexels

4. Step 4 - Finishing the Table Top

Examine your epoxy resin wood DIY wood slice table top under bright light once it has completely dried to look for any remaining bubbles or flaws. Before final finishing, always sand repaired areas until they are flat with the surrounding surface.

To get a glass like shine, start by smoothing any uneven areas with dry sandpaper. Apply compound on a circular polishing pad to enhance the depth and gloss of the epoxy. Apply a UV resistant clear finish for further protection to stop yellowing over time.

Finish your creation by using the proper mounting hardware to fasten hairpin legs, a metal frame, or a wooden foundation. Invisible increasing systems that show the full epoxy resin wood diy wood slice table top are a good option for floating designs.

Final touches for a flawless finish
Photo: RT Poole

Pro Tips for a Stunning Wood Slice Epoxy Table

Attention is necessary to create a perfect wood slice epoxy table. To avoid common mistakes and achieve amazing outcomes, follow these important suggestions:

• How to avoid cracking or warping: Always begin with slices of wood that have been adequately dried to avoid warping and cracking. To support the wood, apply a thin layer of epoxy to both sides prior to the complete pour. This is particularly crucial for larger projects or unique epoxy table top designs.

• Keep resin clear and bubble free: For best curing, work at about 75°F in a dust-free atmosphere. For delicate projects where clarity is crucial, such as an epoxy resin flower table top, it is essential to mix resin carefully to reduce bubbles and use a heat gun or torch to eliminate any remaining air pockets.

• Tips for balancing rustic vs modern look: Incorporate modern elements with the textures of natural wood. Try using metallic colors or fine glitter to draw attention to the grain of the wood without overpowering it for a subtle yet striking effect. If you want your item shining from all sides, think about using an epoxy resin glitter table top for a glamorous finish.

Explore Lumber Grand’s complete guide to DIY epoxy wood slice tables for expert techniques and creative ideas. To receive tailored advice for your wood slice epoxy table project, feel free to contact us at +1(213) 834-1213 and get guidance every step of the way.

Epoxy resin wood diy wood slice table top ensures that your piece becomes a lasting focal point. Its natural elegance and modern shine are preserved with proper methods, and costly mistakes are avoided through careful preparation and finishing.