How to Make an Epoxy Table: A Complete DIY Wood and Resin Table

Many people learning how to make an epoxy table think the hard part is mixing the resin correctly. But we've watched customers spend $400 on premium epoxy only to find it cracked in half the next morning. That happens more often than you'd think.

Someone pours what looks perfect, goes to bed excited, then discovers their dream table split down the middle. Why? Let’s discover more about this below, and most importantly, we’ll e deep into how to epoxy a table top in just 6 simple steps, but with professional results. Let’s scroll down!

4 Different Types of Epoxy Tables You Can Make

First things first, let’s decide what kind of epoxy table you want to build. This knowledge helps you figure out what to buy at the store and whether you're getting into something simple or complicated.

Searching on Google, you can easily find 3 popular types of epoxy tables:

1. River epoxy table: These are probably the most popular kind. You take two pieces of wood and pour clear epoxy in between them so it looks like a river running down the middle of your table. Theepoxy wood tables look really natural and stunning, and they fit in with just about any style of furniture you already have.

How to make an epoxy river table involves pouring epoxy resin between 2 wood slabs

Credit: Lumber Grand

Shop now: Square Epoxy Table Top 15" - 41" Ideal for DIY and Replacement Tables

2. Waterfall epoxy table: With this epoxy pouring, you’ll see that the epoxy doesn't just stay on top. Instead, it flows over the edges like a waterfall.

They're pretty dramatic-looking and work well if you like modern furniture or want something that really catches people's attention when they walk in the room. This will lead you to how to epoxy a table top and edges, which we will cover below.

3. Clear top tables: Sometimes you just want to protect a beautiful piece of wood without covering up the grain. The term “how to make a clear resin table top” appears for that. You can still see all the natural wood patterns, but the surface is much tougher and won't get damaged as easily.

4. Colorful Epoxy Tables: You can add color to the epoxy, anything from blue to green to metallic gold. Some people even put flowers or leaves in the epoxy before it hardens, so you end up with DIY resin tables that have real plants preserved inside them, like they're floating in glass.

Read more at: How to make a resin table with flowers

So, what are you thinking? Pick whichever one sounds good to you, and we'll go over how to make an epoxy table right after we talk about what materials you'll need!

Essential Materials & Tools for DIY Resin Table

1. Wood Selection

A good epoxy table starts with choosing the right wood. Live-edge slabs are what most people use (even us) because they have those natural curves and look really beautiful, but you can make great tables with regular lumber from the hardware store, too.

Best recommended wood species for epoxy tables:

• Walnut: Those rich brown colors that look amazing next to clear or black epoxy.

• Oak: The grain pattern really shows up under the resin and makes it interesting to look at.

• Maple: Light colored, so it's perfect if you want to use colored epoxy that really pops.

• Cherry: The warm reddish tones get even prettier as the wood ages.

The foundation of any successful epoxy wood table starts with choosing the right lumber

Photo: Lumber Grand

When you're picking out wood, make sure it's dry enough. That’s between 6 — 8% moisture if you have a moisture meter to check. If the wood is too wet, it'll keep drying out after you pour the epoxy and might crack or pull away from the resin.

Many years of making epoxy tables taught Lumber Grand to stay away from pieces that have loose knots, big cracks, or bug holes that are still active. Small flaws are actually fine because they can make your table look more interesting and unique.

Related blog: 8 Best Wood for Table Top

2. Epoxy Resin and Supplies

Not all epoxy is the same, so if you use the wrong type, you might end up with cracks, yellowing, or epoxy that never hardens properly.

Deep pour vs tabletop epoxy:

For most epoxy tables, you'll need the deep epoxy pouring. Liquid Glass, EpoxyPlus, and River Table Epoxy are some popular brands. Each one works a little differently and has different limits on how thick you can pour, so read what the manufacturer says.

What you need for the epoxy:

• Epoxy resin system (comes in part A and part B, you mix them together)

• Colors or dyes, if you want colored epoxy

• Measuring cups with marks on them

• Wooden sticks for stirring

• Cheap brushes you can throw away

• Nitrile gloves

• Mold release spray

A lot of suppliers sell epoxy table kit that have everything pre-measured with colors and basic tools included. These work great if you're just starting out, but people who've done this before usually buy everything separately so they have more control over what they get.

3. Essential Tools

Tools you really need:

• Circular saw or track saw for cutting wood to size

• Router for shaping edges and getting surfaces ready

• Random orbital sander with various grit discs (80 to 320 grit)

• Drill with paddle mixer attachment

• Clamps to hold your mold together

• Level to make sure your pour is even

• Infrared thermometer for monitoring cure temperature

Tools that are nice to have:

• Planer to flatten surfaces

• Jointer to prepare edges

• Vacuum chamber to get bubbles out

• Heat gun for removing stubborn bubbles

Safety gear:

• Respirator mask that's rated for organic vapors

• Safety glasses

• Nitrile gloves

• Ventilation fan or air filter system

How Much Does It Cost to Make an Epoxy Table?

The cost to make an epoxy table is around $500 — $1,000 for a typical dining table. And it’s good to know about it before ing into how to make an epoxy table. Afterward, you can plan your budget and decide if you want basic or nicer materials.

What a 6-foot dining table typically costs to make:

• Wood slab: $300 — 800 (depends on what kind of wood and how nice it is)

• Epoxy resin: $150 — 300 (you'll need 3 — 5 gallons for a river table)

• Colors and additives: $30 — 60

• Mold materials: $50 — 100

• Finishing supplies: $40 — 80

• Total for materials: $570 — 1,340

Not to mention, if you don't already have tools, that can add another $500 — 1,500 to what you spend up front.

How to Make an Epoxy Table for Beginners in 7 Detailed Steps

With your materials ready, you can begin to epoxy a table. The step-by-step guide below will show you how to make an epoxy table that is stunning and long-lasting table.

Step 1: Getting Your Workspace and Wood Ready

Let’s find a spot in your garage or workshop that's level and has good airflow. That means you should stay around 65 — 75°F while the epoxy hardens. If it gets too hot or cold, your table might turn out wonky.

About the wood, simply follow these steps:

• First, cut your slabs about 2 — 3 inches bigger than what you actually need for the final table.

• Next, make the edges straight and clean so they fit together tightly.

• Then, plane the surfaces to get rid of saw marks and make everything the same thickness.

• Finally, cut everything to the exact size you need, but leave a tiny bit extra for final trimming.

• Get rid of all the bark and any loose stuff using chisels, grinders with wire brushes, or sanders. If you leave any soft material, it'll pull away from the epoxy later and create gaps or weak spots.

How to make an epoxy resin table top step 1

Photo: ©inside-studio on Canva.com

About the wood surface:

Is this your first time learning how to make an epoxy table? This prep work usually takes way longer than you think it will.

We sand all the surfaces that will touch the epoxy until they're smooth with 150-grit sandpaper. Rougher sandpaper helps the epoxy stick better, but if you go too fine, it might be too smooth for the epoxy to grab onto. Lastly, you clean everything really well with compressed air and clean cloths to get all the dust off.

Step 2: Make Epoxy Table Mold

The mold holds your epoxy while it hardens and determines how big your finished table will be. You need to build one that won't leak, because epoxy will find even the tiniest gaps and make a mess.

To build the mold, you can follow these steps:

• For the bottom, use melamine-coated particleboard. This thing has a smooth surface that the epoxy won't stick to, so it's easy to remove later.

• Cut strips for the sides that are 2 — 3 inches taller than the thickness of your wood.

• Put it together using construction adhesive and screws. Drill pilot holes first so the wood doesn't split.

• Seal up every joint with clear silicone caulk, both inside and outside the mold.

Step 3: Mixing the Epoxy

The second step of how to make an expoxy table needs your full attention and good timing. Once you start mixing the epoxy, you have to finish pouring it within the time limit, or it'll start hardening in your bucket.

How much epoxy you need: Most river tables need 2 — 4 gallons of mixed epoxy. You measure the length, width, and depth of the space that you're filling to figure out how much you need. Get about 10 — 15% extra because some always gets wasted or spilled.

How to epoxy a table top for beginners Prepare the epoxy step 3

Photo: ©BAKHROM on Canva.com

Mixing the epoxy:

• Let the resin and hardener warm up to room temperature first. Cold epoxy doesn't mix well.

• Measure everything carefully using containers with measurement marks. Getting the ratio wrong ruins the whole batch.

• Mix parts A and B together for at least 3 — 4 minutes.

• If you're adding colors, put them in gradually while you keep mixing.

• Get rid of air bubbles right away by using a heat gun held about six inches from the surface. Keep the heat gun moving constantly so you don't overheat any one spot.

Remove bubbles from epoxy with heat gun

Photo: ©BAKHROM on Canva.com

Step 4: Pour Epoxy with the First Layer

Once thoroughly mixed, the epoxy is ready to be poured into the mold you prepared.

How to apply epoxy resin to a table top:

• You pour slowly and steadily, so you don't create a bunch of bubbles.

• Keep the container at the same height while pouring so it doesn't splash. Use a disposable brush to push epoxy into tight corners.

• If you're pouring more than 2 inches deep, you might want to do it in multiple pours. Really thick pours get hot while they cure, and too much heat can crack the epoxy or make it turn yellow.

How to make an epoxy river table step 4

Photo: ©BAKHROM on Canva.com

Step 5: Pour the Second Epoxy Layer

With this layer, thickness and smoothness shall be accomplished for the table. Pour with gentle and even strokes to achieve a smooth surface.

How to make an epoxy table top step 5

Photo: ©BAKHROM on Canva.com

Step 6: Sanding and Finishing

After the second epoxy layer is completely dry, we proceed to sand the surface again.

Sanding steps:

• Start with 80-grit to get rid of big problems and level everything out.

• Move to 120 grit to smooth things more and remove the scratches from the 80 grit.

• Then 150 grit for more smoothing.

• Use 180-grit to get ready for finishing.

• Follow with 220 grit for final smoothing.

• Finish with 320 grit for ultra-smooth preparation.

If you want a mirror-like finish, keep going with wet sanding using 400, 600, and 800 grits. This 6th step of how to epoxy a table top and edges takes a lot of your patience, but it surely looks amazing when you're done.

Besides, the edges need the same attention as the top surface. Sand them to match how smooth the top is, then you put on thin coats of epoxy or finish to seal and protect them. A lot of people add decorative rounded edges for looks and safety.

How to make epoxy table step 6

Photo: ©Stipe Perkovic on Canva.com

Step 7: Attaching the Table Legs

Choose the table legs design you like, as long as it meets the criteria for stability and compatibility with the table top. We recommend steel table legs because they are suitable for long-term use. After selecting the table legs, fix them on the table and check if they are wobbly. If it wobbles, supplement with glue or screws as necessary.

Attaching the table legs

Photo: ©Krimkate on Canva.com

4 Common Mistakes When Making Epoxy Table & How to Avoid Them

When you make your own epoxy table at home, beginners or non-professionals may make some common mistakes. Knowing these 4 mistakes can help speed up your epoxy table making process significantly.

How to make an epoxy table and their common mistakes

Photo: Lumber Grand

Shop now: Round Wood Epoxy Table Top 15" - 47" in 8 Sizes for DIY Modern Homes

• Improper mixing of epoxy: If you do not mix the epoxy according to the recommended ratio, the surface may not cure completely or become sticky due to uneven drying. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for mixing the ratios always. It is usually a 2:1 ratio of base/hardener.

• The first coat of epoxy is not dry enough: For the next coat of epoxy to adhere firmly, you need to wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.

• No removal of air bubbles: This is a problem that almost every professional woodworker or DIYer encounters. Small air bubbles can affect the final look of your project. The heat gun shall be used to remove them right after their appearance.

• Improperly prepping wood: Wood needs to be thoroughly treated before epoxy is poured. Otherwise, it will not absorb the epoxy equally, resulting in an uneven surface, which probably includes defects like air bubbles, cracks, or peeling, and affects the quality and aesthetics of the table in the end. So what is the right way?

Before pouring epoxy, the wood needs to be dried to a moisture content below 12% to avoid shrinkage, cracking, or preventing the epoxy from adhering firmly. The surface of the wood should be sanded with 80 —120 grit sandpaper and wiped with a dry cloth or isopropyl alcohol for the removal of impurities, which will help the epoxy to have an even bond.

If the wood has holes or cracks, it should be sealed with epoxy glue to prevent leakage and reduce air bubbles. For porous wood, a thin layer of epoxy should be applied first to seal the surface and increase the adhesion of the main epoxy layer.

FAQs

1. Is Making Epoxy Tables Hard?

Making epoxy tables isn't exactly easy, but we think it's not impossible either. The biggest things that you have to do are measure right, work quickly once you mix the epoxy (since it starts setting), and deal with bubbles.

You also need good ventilation and the right tools. If you're handy with basic woodworking and follow instructions carefully, you can definitely do it. Just don't expect your first one to be perfect because there's a learning curve.

2. What is Needed to Make an Epoxy Table?

You'll need the wood slab (usually with a natural edge or crack), epoxy resin and hardener, mixing containers, stir sticks, and safety gear like gloves and a respirator. And you'll also need a level work surface, clamps, plastic sheeting to protect your workspace, and a heat gun or torch to remove bubbles.

Don't forget sandpaper for finishing and possibly some colorants if you want tinted epoxy. The epoxy itself is the most expensive part, which is expected to cost $100 — 300 just on resin. But it will strongly depend on your table size.

3. How to Epoxy a Table Top for Beginners?

We highly recommend that you start small with your first project. Maybe a side table instead of a dining table. In simple terms, you’ll follow these steps on how to make an epoxy table:

• Step 1: Prep your wood by cleaning it thoroughly and sealing any cracks you don't want filled.

• Step 2: Set up in a dust-free area with good ventilation.

• Step 3: Mix your epoxy carefully, following the exact ratios on the package.

• Step 4: Pour slowly and work quickly to spread it evenly.

• Step 5: Use a heat gun to pop bubbles as you go.

• Step 6: Let it cure completely (usually 24 — 72 hours) before sanding and applying a final finish.

4. Can You Pour Resin Straight onto Wood?

Yes, you can, but you shouldn't without prep work first. Raw wood is porous and will soak up the resin unevenly, so it creates dark spots and weak areas. We need to seal the wood first with a thin coat of the same epoxy (called a seal coat) or use a wood conditioner.

How to Make an Epoxy Table: Guide Ends Here

If you need more advice or help while making the table, feel free to email us at contact@lumbergrand.com. Or you can contact us to buy the product at a reasonable price. You will save money and own a beautiful table. We are always here to help you realize your dream!

In this article, we have guided you to learn how to make an epoxy table at home. For beginners, it will be a bit difficult, but if you persevere, you will be able to do it. Prepare and take notes of each step, from preparing the wood and mixing the epoxy to assembling the table legs, so that your table can become a perfect masterpiece. Thank you for reading!