Diningroom table - with epoxy?

[nurseman]

I agree. I liked doing the smaller floods better. I could see what was happening ... and felt like I could control the bubbles a little bit more with the smaller pour.

I avoided sanding because I didn't want the risk of what I was making that I couldn't buff everything out. I really wanted a smooth epoxy. If you're planning on sanding/buffing you may want to do a small piece with it first and see how that works.

Definitely agree with doing some sample pieces. So much easier to make a couple of scraps than to screw up the project.

 

[redneck joe]

Definitely agree with doing some sample pieces. So much easier to make a couple of scraps than to screw up the project.

yep, i have a quart already so while waiting the few days I can practice. Lots of potential pieces out in the barn and we have some fun company coming over the weekend so we can all have some fun.

I have a bunch of red food dye, think that will work on the test pieces?

 

[Bob_VT]

Look up Paul Oman Epoxy he might lend some great advice

 

[redneck joe]

about to do the test pour this week I hpe, had to get some heaters for the garage, which leads me to this; I need to be 72 degrees up to 84 or something, but have also seen where I need to make airflow space to keep from overheating? Can't i just use the heat to keep above 72 (will have epoxy at 75 when mixing inside the house)

 

[southkogs]

I did my pours in the winter, in the garage with a space heater near by. The temperature was in the 68 to 74, but probably not consistent.

 

[redneck joe]

ok, going in hot...

the garage heaters are doing their job, initial pour will happen soon. I'm doing two, about half inch each. First one will be my first ever but on paper it looks straightforward but if i've not sealed up properly I'll of only last $100 in epoxy, not $300.

 

[redneck joe]

so here is the final layout.

Markup the form to hold the pour with screws

screws in

caps to hold the epoxy in

 

[redneck joe]

all the undersides have latex caulk to keep anything from seeping out.


so I did my 'test pour' in it but only filled about 3/8" deep in case A) it seeped out I wouldn't lose $400 in epoxy and B) to ensure it worked because if I needed to remove it would have been easier, and refer back to point A.

I threw in some coins, a dollar bill and a Canadian $20 about halfway thru the cure. The coins sank which I did not think they would but its fine. I used clear on the test pour so I could see what was happening. The final pour will be black.

 

[redneck joe]

so... final pour tonight as the other has cured for the requisite 72 hours with no issues. I will be scuffing up the clear surface and the remaining exposed edge as epoxy apparently does not like to stick to epoxy when it is smooth. Wipes down with 100% alcohol and pour. Or so they say....

more news as it breaks.

 

[redneck joe]

forgot these. Cleaning up the soft wood and this is one of the two main ones. going to be cool in black.

This is the largest and it kinda looks like Barkley and Kentucky lakes

here is the lakes:

 

[redneck joe]

all the undersides have latex caulk to keep anything from seeping out.


so I did my 'test pour' in it but only filled about 3/8" deep in case A) it seeped out I wouldn't lose $400 in epoxy and B) to ensure it worked because if I needed to remove it would have been easier, and refer back to point A.

I threw in some coins, a dollar bill and a Canadian $20 about halfway thru the cure. The coins sank which I did not think they would but its fine. I used clear on the test pour so I could see what was happening. The final pour will be black.

Note: someone i tried to describe what I was doing to ensure a level, or at least full, pour and yes I leveled as well as I could but also have a slight warp in the wood so see the clamps on wood 'beams' and u channel to pull up. got 98% flat so for that as well as the bow I have a latex caulk dam around the pour area. This will let me overfill to ensure complete coverage and compensate for an out of level issues.

 

[southkogs]

You're already ahead of how I was doin'. It's gonna' look nice when you get it done.

 

[nurseman]

Looking good! Can't wait to see the finished pour!

 

[aspeck]

It is all awesome except maybe the drink cozy ... CHIEFS!

 

[Scott Danforth]

if your pouring black, not sure why the coins and bills are in there.

 

[redneck joe]

for the drunks that are under the table. They will be able to see them in the clear.

 

[redneck joe]

amazing what 1/16" variance does.....


So the dam i ran mostly worked, it overflowed at the worst of the dip so made another dam or two but ended up not needing them. As if filled up the first 'retention pond' i grabbed some aquarium airline tube and sucked up some of the excess and moved to the couple softwood areas I showed earlier that I thought I was going to have to mix more to fill. All perfect.

When it sets (saturday night) I'll probably wait until Sundays crappy weather to get the hand planer on the thick stuff and then belt sand to start. Pause and assemble the other two pieces to get to my final width. I'll be doing a full spline on those two.

Off to break down a 4 lbs steelhead for the grill for tomorrow night. Tonight, shrimp fried rice. Got some beautiful Argentina Pinks in this week.

Skal!

 

[Scott Danforth]

now comes the sanding.....sanding....sanding....sanding....sanding.....sanding

 

[redneck joe]

and i've seen i'll do some sanding....

 

[redneck joe]

after i had used the hand planer to clean up the underside. Again, just kids and drunks will see this