DIY Live Edge Resin Table
As a woodworker and a maker, one of the projects I have had on my bucket list for a while has been a resin and wood end table. I have spent months scouring lumber yards and the internet for the perfect piece in need of TLC. And, well, when you wish and try hard enough dreams do come true. I am beyond excited to have been able to partner with my amazing friends at Bernzomatic to finally create the one of a kind live edge resin table I’ve been imagining up in my head! I’ll show you how surprisingly easy it is to fill voids in wood with resin and create awesome art work in just a few easy steps!
How To Make A Live Edge Resin Table
Before we start, wanna see a video tutorial? You can on my YouTube channel!
Now, I would be lying if I said that I was intimidated by pouring epoxy resin for the longest time. But, now that I’ve done it and created something really cool, I can share that I was surprised by just how easy it was! With the right tools you can create your own original design. Here’s how I turned this…
Into this…
What You’ll Need:
Tools
Bernzomatic TS4000
Belt Sander
Random Orbital Sander
Packaging Tape
Metal Wire Brush
Measuring Cup
Mixing Sticks
Drill (For Attaching Legs)
Rubber Gloves
Safety Glasses
Respirator/Dust Collection
Shop Vacuum
Materials
Wood Log, Cookie, or Burl
Epoxy Resin & Hardener
(use code “DIYHUNTRESS” at checkout for 10% off + free shipping!)
Metallic Pigment Powder (Epoxy Tint)
Hairpin Legs
Table Finish
The Steps:
1. Use a sander to smooth and level the top of your future table top.
2. While things are still dusty, use a wire brush to scrape away some of the bark.
3. Next, use a vacuum to suck up any dust that has gotten trapped in the nooks of your piece.
4. Once your piece has been smoothed out, you can begin prepping for your resin pour. First, cover the entire top of the slab with packaging tape.
5. To help the tape stick better, use your Bernzomatic TS4000 to generate heat above the tape and help the adhesive glue on the tape melt to the piece.
Disclaimer: It’s really important here that you do not touch the flame to the tape. Just hold the flame above the piece and move it back and forth.
6. Once your table top has been taped up, flip it over. You’re ready for your first pour!
7. Follow the instructions on your specific epoxy resin product prior to mixing and pouring. Mine was a 1:1 ratio of epoxy resin to hardener and I added a metallic blue pigment to the mix.
8. Once your resin is mixed, slowly begin to pour it into your table top. The particular resin I was working with only recommended I pour up to 1/8″ with each pass at a minimum of 4 hour increments. So, I repeated this step a few times over the course of two days.
9. Immediately following each pour, make sure to use your Bernzomatic TS4000 to remove the bubbles that will form in the resin. As with the tape, gently float the open flame above the work piece. The heat generated during this step will pop any bubbles that have formed in the resin.
10. Channel your inner monk, practice patience, and repeat steps 7 through 9 as many times as necessary to ensure a solid, sturdy, and beautiful pour (this was also the most difficult step for me because I wanted results immediately).
11. Once you have completed your major pours and everything has dried according to the directions of your resin, flip the piece over and remove the tape. If your tape is leaving behind residue, use rubbing alcohol and a box cutting blade to help remove it.
12. Now, repeat your resin steps on the front of the piece (if necessary). I had small voids I wanted to fill, so I worked in small sections with the resin and my Bernzomatic TS4000 torch.
13. Once everything has dried, use a belt sander to remover the dried, excess resin from the top of the piece. You will have to sand a lot here. So, again, patience will become a virtue. I sanded with 80 grit sandpaper until all of the leftover resin was gone, and then gradually worked my way to 400 grit with my random orbital sander.
Important: Resin is extremely hazardous to your lungs, so please wear a respirator and utilize appropriate dust collection methods throughout this process.
14. Once your piece is sanded to your liking, remove all dust and apply a finish to protect the work and help it shine.
15. Last, add your legs!
Now admire that handy work, invite your friends over for a party, and maybe even do a happy dance!
With the right tools, resin projects can be fun and easy! I am so happy with the way this turned out, especially knowing that there is nothing else in the world like it. I can’t wait to create my next piece!
Until then, make sure to stay on top of this project by Pinning It for later. Also be sure to visit Bernzomatic’s Torch Bearers website for more fun DIY ideas with your torches!
This post is sponsored by Bernzomatic. While compensation has been received for this post, all design ideas, product opinions, and resin color choices are my own. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
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what do you think?
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15 COMMENTS
Patti
5 years agoThank you so much for these fabulous tips! Can’t wait to try this. The blue with the wood hue is fantastic! Thank you for generously sharing this tutorial!
Kyle Spence
5 years agoThis is really a informative article. I just like your tremendous tips. I also like the blue with the wood hue it’s look really awesome. And i am going to check it out as soon as possible. Thanks for the sharing your informative article.
Denise Reeser
5 years agoI watched your posts on Instagram but just got to read the tutorial. I can’t wait to try this! Your table turned out gorgeous! I got anxiety when I got to the part about having to be patient and wait. I’m so impatient! 😉
Sam
5 years ago AUTHORThank you so much for stopping by to see the full tutorial! Can’t wait to see your version!
Sean
5 years agoA little trick that we use for large epoxy pours is to use old pieces of paper or craft paper and a bit of wood glue and coat the paper with the glue and apply to the hole underneath the table. You have to give a thin coat of glue to the paper so the epoxy does not go through the paper and it wont sag. This will help combat against the nasty leaks that are always hard to control once they start! Keep up the great work!
Sam
5 years ago AUTHORThat’s a cool trick! I’ll have to try it! Thank you!
Vera
4 years agoSo beautiful wow…what did you use to protect and make your work shine?
Sam
4 years ago AUTHORThank you! I used Rubio Monocoat (there’s a link to the product I used in the “What You’ll Need” section)!
Sami Saari
4 years agoGreat tutorial for anyone to learn, and this made me think that I have to make my ideas come true, even if there’s some things I have to purchase. 😊
Seems like we have a common problem, my guess is that this goes for anyone not having their own sawmill, getting hands on a nice wooden log/burl. 😒
There’s just one thing missing in this tutorial, maybe you want to keep it to yourself – BUT – I have to ask, what type of wood did you use? If I have to guess I’d say “masur birch”, think that’s the correct translation… 🙄🤔
Thanx a lot for sharing and caring! Really good work both crafting and inspirational. 😎
Sam
4 years ago AUTHORHi Sami! Thank you so much! I actually found this piece on Ebay! Not sure what it’s called, but I know it was categorized as a “wood cookie”! I wish I knew the species, but I’m not quite sure! Thanks for checking out my post & good luck on your projects!
Susana
3 years agoI love it. Great tutorial. Future project
Susana
3 years agoI love it. Great tutorial. Future project
christie Stewart
3 years agoBest tutorial I have seen to date!!! You are REAL! Thank you so much as resin ideas are amazing and also kind of intimidating. My first one was a gong show as I didn’t measure out perfectly and it ruined everything! After watching this one my wood has been sanded and waiting for months for attempt two!
Alex
2 years agoamazinf
Karen
2 years agoI plan on making a small table similar to yours however I do not have access to any torches. Do you think a hair dryer might achiever good results? Or is there another option you can recommend?
Thank you
Karen