How to make a river table project a success

Several river tables in epoxy resin, photo taken during an exhibition
Several river tables in epoxy resin, photo taken during an exhibition

To sublimate your interior and show that you have taste, have the idea to embark on a river table manufacturing project. At the end of it, you will be entitled to a real artistic piece whose sight is reminiscent of a river flowing between two banks of a canyon. However, for the conduct of this project, you must contact a specialist who knows how to marry wood and epoxy resin marvelously. Note that the realization of this project goes through several stages.

Choice and preparation of wood for the river table

River wooden table project with black epoxy center

Some wood species are more suitable for the development of a river table compared to others. For your project, you should avoid those that are porous because of their tendency to “swallow” the resin at the time of casting and to produce air bubbles. This is particularly the case with pine. The ideal is to opt for the olive tree, hazel and maple whose characteristics are suitable for this type of project.

Whatever the type of wood chosen, it is important to prepare it well. In this regard, know that you need a completely dry wood to make a river table. In addition, the flatness of the boards must be perfect. It is therefore necessary that the cutting is done by a cabinetmaker. It is also worth pointing out the need to clean the wood carefully so as to get rid of its bark. In addition, sanding of its surface and its edges is imperative, as well as the passage of a layer of water varnish, which prevents the formation of bubbles in the casting of the epoxy resin during curing.

The main actions to be taken for pouring the epoxy resin

First of all, the casting frame of the epoxy resin must be prepared. And it is particularly important that its tightness is in focus. In addition, clamps should be used to firmly tighten the frame in question. This is a necessity because of the fluid nature of the resin. Because if the casting frame is not hermetic, the resin could flow easily.

Regarding the act that aims to pour the epoxy resin, professionals usually proceed by first making a small layer of 5 mm in the frame to then place the wood and immobilize. After, they perform a casting of the resin by opting for a thickness of 5 cm. This operation is done in a room where the ambient temperature is between 20 and 24 ° C. But it can be lower if you want a casting of thicker epoxy resin.

The next step is drying which is done in 24-48h. But for optimal hardening of the resin, it takes about 14 days.

River table in wood and epoxy resin
River table in wood and epoxy resin

Elements of personalization

The integration of various elements to the resin is necessary for the customization of your river table. This is the case of inks which are actually translucent and highly concentrated dyes added in small quantities to the epoxy mixture. We find in a multitude of colors. To personalize your river table, it is also possible to incorporate nacres in powders, very fine solutions based on mica. And to obtain a superb luminous river table, colored phosphorescent pigments can be integrated into the resin.

Surface of a river table in white epoxy resin
Surface of a river table in white epoxy resin

All you have to do is talk to a specialist so that your river table production project can be completed as soon as possible and in strict compliance with your expectations.