Woodworking

DIY Resin And Wood Coasters

resin and wood coaster

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

Want to watch this build in action? Check it out on YouTube and subscribe to my channel!

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.

epoxy resin and wood river coasters

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:

coaster molds for resin

 

 

 

 

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.

cut wood strips with bandsaw

I then used my miter saw to trim the pieces to size so they’d fit snugly inside the molds.

diy coaster molds

2. Next, clamp your wood pieces inside of your molds so they don’t float when you pour the resin.

how to make resin and wood coaster

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!

how to pour epoxy resin

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.

pouring resin

5. After the pour cures (this will depend on what type of resin you use), de-mold the coasters from the forms.

removing resin from mold

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.

how to sand epoxy resin

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.

how to wet sand resin

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!

how to seal resin

8. Allow time to dry, and then use them in your home!

diy resin and wood coasters

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!

diy wood coasters

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!

Sam Raimondi

Sam is a full time psychologist and part time content creator from Long Island, New York.

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19 COMMENTS

  • Rachel

    Awesome stuff!

    • Sam
      AUTHOR

      Thank you!

  • Mike

    Very good idea for coasters, makes great Xmas gift.

    • Sam
      AUTHOR

      Thank you!

  • Melissa Goetz

    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

  • Megan

    Love these!!! Will have to try sometime!

    • Sam
      AUTHOR

      I would love that!

  • Samidha

    Hey Sam,
    These resin and wood coasters are awesome!!

    • Sam
      AUTHOR

      Thank you!

  • Marty

    Thank you! I, too, am an amateur and hoarder. Your post answered ALL the questions I had after butchering a couple attempts!

    • Sam
      AUTHOR

      So happy my post was helpful!

  • Angie

    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

    • Sam
      AUTHOR

      Glad you enjoyed! If anything, I probably could have made the pieces I was working with a little thinner before pouring.

  • Loren

    This looks so cute and so much fun and easy to make! Will have to try it sometime.

  • Cindy

    They are absolutely beautiful! I hope to follow more of your work.

    • Sam
      AUTHOR

      Thank you!

  • Igor

    Bellissimo lavoro, prova lavorare con gliter in resina..

  • Catherine

    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?

  • Mark Taylor

    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?

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