I’m all about using things I already have laying around my shop (since, I’m basically a lumber hoarder). So, when I had some off-cuts available to use from my DIY resin and wood key holder, I knew I wanted to save them for a resin and wood coaster project. Even cooler, I had some deep pour epoxy leftover as well and made good use of that too! This is a project that has been on my list for a while, and I’m so excited to share it with you!
How To Make Resin & Wood Coasters
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What I love most about these coasters (besides the fact that I got to use leftovers) is that they are super unique! I’m also still a super beginner at using epoxy resin for projects, and this one felt really manageable.
So, really, what I’m trying to say is that if I can do it, you most definitely can. Here’s how!
What You’ll Need:
Additional Materials & Tools:
Wood (I got my piece of maple burl on Ebay)
Epoxy Resin (I used a Deep Pour Epoxy)
The Steps:
1. Cut your wood pieces to fit in your silicone molds. The maple burl I used was too thick for the molds, so I used a bandsaw to cut them to a size that was slightly thicker than the depth of the molds.
I then used my miter saw to trim the pieces to size so they’d fit snugly inside the molds.
2. Next, clamp your wood pieces inside of your molds so they don’t float when you pour the resin.
3. Once the molds have been prepped, mix your epoxy resin according to the directions on the bottle. Mine was a 3:1 ratio deep pour product, so I was able to mix and pour the full depth amount in one shot. You can also add color as well – I chose a few drops of turquoise dye for mine!
4. Pour your resin! Make sure to use a torch or a heat gun to remove any air bubbles from the surface of the pour.
5. After the pour cures (this will depend on what type of resin you use), de-mold the coasters from the forms.
6. Next comes sanding! I started with 80 grit sanding discs to smooth the coasters flat and then gradually worked my way to 320 grit with the sander.
Once you’re done sanding with the sander, use hand sanding to smooth the rest of the coasters. I used a wet sanding method with waterproof sandpaper. I worked my way from 400 to 600 grit with this method.
7. After sanding, allow the pieces to dry and then apply a finish. I used a penetrating oil finish for my coasters, but you can use whatever works for you!
8. Allow time to dry, and then use them in your home!
I seriously love how unique these coasters are! They totally feel like one of a kind and I am so proud of the way they turned out!
Can’t wait to show these puppies off at our next BBQ!
Want to save this project for later? Make sure to Pin It!
Now that I’m hooked on resin projects, I have so many bigger ideas floating around my head that I can’t wait to explore! Anything you’d like to see me make with resin? Let me know!
Until next time though… happy DIY’ing!
Awesome stuff!
Thank you!
Very good idea for coasters, makes great Xmas gift.
Thank you!
Love the coasters! I have a block of the maple burl, what is the best way get the “uneven rounded” shapes? Very new to crafting so any help would be appreciated. Thank you
Love these!!! Will have to try sometime!
I would love that!
Hey Sam,
These resin and wood coasters are awesome!!
Thank you!
How long do these take to dry?
Thank you! I, too, am an amateur and hoarder. Your post answered ALL the questions I had after butchering a couple attempts!
So happy my post was helpful!
They look awesome thanks for the tutorial. I also dislike sanding so to avoid having to sand as much cut the pieces to sit flush or below the mold do you think & could you have wet sanded earlier to save some work? Thanks Ange
Glad you enjoyed! If anything, I probably could have made the pieces I was working with a little thinner before pouring.
This looks so cute and so much fun and easy to make! Will have to try it sometime.
They are absolutely beautiful! I hope to follow more of your work.
Thank you!
Bellissimo lavoro, prova lavorare con gliter in resina..
So I’ve done this project and I am at the stage of pulling the coasters out of the silicone molds. The resin did not penetrate the whole front like yours because of the clamps. How did you fix that?
Hi I love your work and your videos. I’ve used these exact molds and always end up using the flat side as the top. I cannot seem to get a nice look on what you’re using as the top. I can’t get good coverage underneath the wood, even when I don’t clamp them down. Any advice?