The 14 Rules of Epoxy Table Making

14 things you can do to avoid disaster in your epoxy table projects.

[@chipsutcliffe7110]

Aside from your KZbin income, I think the advertising value of your Blacktail Studio videos far out ways any "secret techniques" lost to your competition. And people looking for $10,000 tables are not shopping by price, so your reputation is paramount. The videos show your integrity.

[@TheDanx12345]

Don't clamp to the melamine! I did on my first table; the melamine slowly gave way. Corollary: support every bit of melamine with plywood or your bench.

[@mrxdesigns1463]

Vinyl contact paper (self adhesive shelf liner) works great as a mold release. Works especially well for covering forms with flat bottoms/sides. Much faster to apply than packing tape, and pretty cheap too.

[@tedspens]

It will be easy to tell who didn't watch till the end when their table looks more like a surf board. Lot's of really great tips there. Thanks Cam, you rock!

[@ryanhoarty1464]

Thanks for doing this, Cam! I love your work, your attitude, and your humor.

[@SwearingenTurnings]

Your last rule, sealing the top, was the only one that I hadn't yet learned from you. Thank you! I'm inching closer to building one of these to add to my table offerings, and it's because of your channel.

[@AbuAamna]

Cam, your humbleness is awesome❤

[@patmeyer2517]

I think sealing the top was probably the one I didn’t realize the importance of doing. Thanks for the great tips!

[@Magnusflyfishing]

Long time subscriber from Iceland! Just wanted to thank you for all the information youve put out there. Im about to pour my second river table this week and thanks to you my first one was not a disaster and came out pretty decent. 👍🏼

[@jarredladuke]

I really like this channel... It's the education portion we DIYers or aspiring wood table makers try to get from watching a ton of vids all in one.

[@j.c.sministries1530]

Getting ready for my first pour. Thank you for all your hard work and information. Sealing all the edges and the Sealing of the top.

[@danieljarrell3534]

Thank you for all the helpful tip I have been using epoxy on my Cornhole boards for a little over 5 years now. My customers love the finish on them and I love the look. I'm looking at doing my first table after the new year as this is a hobby of mine. I have saved this video so I can go back over when I start the project again thank you for the info. Have a great day

[@Big.Ron1]

I like the dry wood. I had no idea it made a difference. Also, the very last, bonus rule. Cool thank you.

[@lloyddoigan4134]

leave it thick! loved it. The more wood I work on the more valuable this whole clip is. Thanks

[@wendypeterson6754]

I follow you and you make some great tables, I am going to start my first coffee table and learned a lot watching this video. I would have never thought of sealed the top after the pour was over waiting the 2-3 weeks to pull out of the mold, you also touched on other processes I wouldn’t have thought of. Thank you for this video, it will help with my first table

[@NVOutsider]

Never thought about sealing the top to prevent warping, thanks.

[@mannyk1]

Cam, I am a beginner woodworker and I've been watching your various videos for the better part of a year. I have picked up most of your rules from them but it is great to have them all in one spot. Thank you! You have inspired me and I'm ready to start on my first round coffee table project. Thanks for everything. You rock!

[@blacktailstudiouncut]

Thanks man!

[@RobSandstromDesigns]

Liked your last rule best seal the top. I always watch to the end. Giving the temperature rang that is too hight was good insight.

[@kosalagarusinghe2488]

A really clever and smart guy. All the best to you Cam. Cheers! My take home points are edge sealing and not scraping the mixing bucket.

[@paulfowler3416]

Good advice and clear explanation why those of us using metallic pigments don’t need to seal the wood.

[@vinster8884]

Sealing the wood is the best rule I can and will remember when I start making these. I'm just about ready. Have been stocking up on wood to make sure it's dry when I get to working with it.

[@scottcallan3897]

Again, so thoughful and well presented. A true keep for future use.

[@andrebassick4360]

Thanks for another great video, Cam! While I found all of the rules very informative, I appreciated the rule on leaving your slab thick and then surface it after to thickness.

[@KirkMcMorris]

Thank you. I wouldn’t have thought of sealing the top.

[@jimaustin8404]

Awesome tips. Thank you. I just did my first epoxy project, and I learned a lot of lessons. The major one was patience. So, for me, the tip would be to wait serval days before trying to sand and finish your project. I had a lot of buildup on sandpaper, and it would swirl back on the surface of the epoxy making deeper scritches. When I did my project, I bought some HDPE sheets and made the mold using caulk to glue them all together. But my pour was only 1” thick. May have to use some clamps for bigger project. And it worked well. I did not use mold release, but I will in the future. The epoxy did come off with no trouble though. And I will be able to reuse it for my next project. Your work is inspiring, and I can’t wait to see your next project.

[@roncravens5805]

Mixing properly. Thanks for the heads up on the other tips. I do seal my edges because I had two tables that back to back had edge bubbles. Since I started sealing I haven’t had any bubbles and never had stress failures. Great tip on sealing the top surface. I haven’t had any issues, but I can see how it could.

[@lindaclasson1088]

Thanks for all the great tips!

[@davidboutet3016]

More awesome content. Thanks for all the experience shared with viewers.

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

the surface tension explanation for excusing the use of fans is what made this video for me, I was sold instantly! Thanks again Cam!

[@blacktailstudiouncut]

Ya man!

[@SusanFerguson-ij3se]

Masters never think they know everything ... that is one reason you are one. Great teacher. Information is valuable. I've made small live edge epoxy box lids and filled in knots and wood life wrinkles with epoxy but never tried a table. You make me want to try!

[@Cecil_X]

I just found you! I cut a couple of fir's from my yard, about 90 years old. I used a chain saw mill to create some live edge slabs, which are drying in my garage. While it will be a few months before I can do anything with them, I do want to do try some live edge epoxy. I believe you saved me a lot of time.

[@jayhitek]

the last two tips were the ones I liked the best. mixing and not scraping the bucket.. and sealing the top of the table while it's curing.

[@seanchristie7150]

A true Gentleman sharing hints and tips to save people thousands well done sir. Love howvyou saved the best tip for the end

[@cherrymadden4936]

I love this. I'm going to try it. Small side table

[@scubadubba123]

Thank you for sharing can't wait to see how bad I screw up my first small coffee table.

[@fabianulloa2961]

Hey Cam, you're really good guy, because You are sharing your knowledge. All your projects are amazing. It's a nice gesture of you to put the measurements in metric

[@kylepreston3194]

Great information. I learn so much from your videos. Some day I will attempt an epoxy project.

[@joenaiser240]

I liked your last rule the best as it is something that most people would NOT think of when blending epoxy. Love your videos and you have taught me a few things, even though I'm a professional furniture restorer with over 40 years experience. About lacquer cure times, there are many variables when it comes to how long it will take a lacquer to fully cure, but I think 6 months would be a bit extreme for just about any lacquer. Two months as a general rule for a standard nitrocellulose lacquer applied in the recommended millage, that is not catalyzed, under normal room temperature and humidity conditions. It would be best to check with the manufacturer for an accurate time, as all lacquers are different. Keep up the good work! In case you think I might be able to help you with anything too, a little searching online and you will be able to find me. I am pretty well known in the Cincinnati Ohio area and have a website.

[@briangregorymaloney9195]

Great video, the tips were also great. "Not scraping the bucket" is probably my favorite tip because I would be the guy to be just a scraping that bucket to make sure I got every last drop of that liquid gold into my project Doing my first pour tomorrow. Thanks for all the professional advice you have to offer. Oh and I liked and subscribe to your channel.

[@StewardDIYcave]

sealing the slab so it does not warp, and fans to remove heat. both great tips

[@donnaroberts5655]

that was an super video and perfect timing ! Im doimg my first really big table and had so many questions. Cant really pick one as the best, but sealing the top while the pour is curing and curing for a couple weeks are right up there! Myname is Brian...this is on my wife's computer.

[@terryy8688]

Fan rule is something I never thought of, I wait till fall or winter before I pour , I appreciate it and i didn’t know that I should seal the top of the table, I learned so much just from this video, thank you sir

[@todd4654]

Patience! You didn’t specifically say the word but I got the message clear enough. Take the time to allow proper curing and mixing. Thus avoiding disappointment and more work. I would vote yes please to more of these types of videos. I am stoked to get going on my own tables and have really benefitted and enjoyed your site. Congrats on the “official you tuber status. Well deserved in my humble opinion.

[@cbs507]

Just an idea I have been playing with to do one of these for my self. Appreciate all the words of wisdom. Not sure I have a fav tip but I do appreciate how this mat just be possible for me

[@phillipturner657]

Thanks for all the helpful info. Removing the bark is a great tip. I thought about leaving it on. Now I won't. Great job!

[@janesedupuis8339]

Awesome info. I have a window unit that I drop the temperature down to about 60 in the room on a big pour. I think that’s just as good as a fan.

[@matteoviewvoice1120]

Looking great Cam! Love the 4k view

[@johnsteffen8075]

Top seal, Great list of rules Thanks

[@africansafariexperts-4x4sa56]

Great video as always! Been having great fun watching and learning - will get to my first table next year when I have the $'s for all the kit.

[@dennisbracci9212]

Great video. Worked with epoxy almost 50 years ago making parts from airplane to chemical vat covers. I learned that a chemical bond is much better than a mechanical bond. Its funny how it has not changed that much. Still a very unstable product. Meaning once it goes there is no turning back. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@brianhawes3115]

Yes on sealing the wood, I used Alumilite on an unsealed burl and it foamed from the moisture

[@darthstewie76]

I am not an epoxy expert but I think from a chemical standpoint sealing your edges should be fine. Epoxy has good adhesive and cohesive properties, so it sticks to wood and itself just as well.

[@syaek300]

Everything was very helpful, thanks again

[@kandiecandelaria3134]

Love your videos and the information you share

[@LegendaryJonesy]

I learned about Concept 13 from one of your other videos. Just ordered the diy epoxy tray kit to get started. 12" x 24" HDPE (high density poly-ethylene) exotherm vac tray with a 1 degree angle on the sides. they also have trays that are welded edges that have a 5 degree angle. Super excited to get started with some small scale projects.

[@TheAcarr6]

Concept13 is down the street from my shop. They are awesome.

[@jeffbergstrom]

@1:25 about sealing edges...seems a great idea for a video testing the theories with some scrap wood.

[@scottcallan3897]

It also has been fun watching your journey

[@lawlade]

Awesome tips! Thanks so much

[@vgayatri9297]

Thank you so much for the information and tips. This video helps a lot to me, i am a resin artist just doing wedding garlands preservation and some small projects.my motto is development and upgrade is the key of a successful business so, i wanted to improve myself with resin furniture in my state there is no one who knows this work and this type furniture hope it will be success ill invite you if it is a hit. the reason i love epoxy is efforts and time pays you back. thank you so much brother

[@paulscott7497]

Hi Cam, thanks for all of the brilliant videos. You inspired me to embark on my first river table. I have a walnut slab which has been (poorly) flattened to around 65mm thick +/- 10mm. My question is - should I flatten before the cut and epoxy pour or do the whole thing after? Your video suggests keeping it at full thickness as long as possible so I'm guessing I should go for: 1. Clean up, 2. Cut, 3. Pour, 4. Flatten. Thanks in advance! Paul

[@thentherewassway2324]

Seal the the edge or top of the wood. By the way, Love the course, it's really helping me.

[@Apollyon-er4ut]

SEAL THE WOOD! Appreciate the tips. Maybe this one because my small projects had been with hardwood, but my first big one with soft wood (redwood). I didn't seal and it took forever to get all the bubbles out, resanding numerous times.

[@arekionjoel1151]

Extreme valuable insights:) Joe black from Mauritius island

[@CF_Joel]

My favorite rule is to measure the moisture of the wood/make sure it’s dry, because of that collab table. That table looked SOOO badass, with such a badass piece of wood, and so much work, I wanted to cry, hahaha! You gotta do another collab with another giant cookie!

[@clayburnett3855]

Cam Clay Burnett from FL. Semi-retired cardiac surgeon and life/ long woodworker. Been doing epoxy stuff for a few years, but it’s still the most humbling thing I’ve done. Rule # 1 I recently violated and my table is a bit bowed across the narrow part and to level and smooth the slab I may not have enough thickness left. Birthday present for my bride, so violating Rule #1 is NO BUENO!! I really enjoy you work and videos. And your pathway to this second career is pretty cool, too, and no probably a lot safer since helicopters are an invention always trying to crash. Great video here and I’ll pass it along!

[@kdmerkle]

I always wondered how many surgeons were also woodworkers. I would think that surgeons and musicians would be the safest woodworkers.

[@juliangreaves4727]

The last tip was the best one!

[@GeeZeRFroG]

Hey Cam, I'm a couple weeks late on seeing this video so idk if you'll see this, but would you be willing to purposefully screw up some test tables to show examples of some of these errors? Like the bleeding pigment or not sealing the top or even wet wood? I would love some visual examples! Thanks for the tips.

[@scottcallan3897]

A great video, many thanks

[@hvacsale1]

Seal the top of a project after pouring. Hi Cam! Thanks for this more in depth channel. Bought your epoxy workshop series recently to prepare for eventually making some. Question:. What chemicals will kill bugs in wood? I have a 30" sawmill and my goal is to make a solar kiln and use local wood that I have milled on projects but I'm not there yet

[@manufactura.historica]

Ever tried post curing epoxy? We've done it on a few projects and it worked like a charm. Basically by warming up your cured epoxy to 40-50°C (104-122°F; but that range could vary from brand to brand) for about 8 hours and letting it cool you get a fully cured piece ready to be machined (CNC planing in most of our cases).

[@eHex-iled]

I've sprayed a lot of conversion varnish over the years and it can easily take a month or longer to fully cure

[@qalandero]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. And thankyou for being you. I am from Pakistan, have been doing my homework for almost a year now before I get into epoxy tables and stuff. Your video is one of the best I have seen till now. I am basically facing an issue with getting the right quality of epoxy resin in Pakistan. The recent decrease in imports hasn't helped. Also you guys have so many tools and equipment that makes the technical part relatively easy. Thanks again buddy. Goes without saying, have subscribed:)

[@user-uw2mc1ne6t]

Hi there! I'm form Russia. We have no issues with quality epoxy resin but i also see how many great tools and equipment people have in USA. Also starting my first project in epoxy )

[@percula8]

Good video! I don't use mold release and melamine is an absolute nightmare. You can very easily source HDPE sheets in 8'x4'. Use this for your base over plywood and supports. Then I use HDPE sides that are cut with a plywood backer. The HDPE releases so easily, generally I just have to break the sides off and lift the slab and it will release. Also, your silicone easily adheres and seals to HDPE but once you yank on it, it pulls right off and leaves the HDPE completely clean.

[@pezrok1]

One coat mold release/buff in/add 2nd coat. What do you use to clean up epoxy? Do you reuse your home depot bucket after a pour?

[@MrRogerpettersson]

Think leveling is one of the key points as well, the cast/form must be totally level in all directions!

[@jpp652]

Super Sharp Thank You

[@husam2679]

Great work man! your videos are awesome, I like that you don't ask for a like or comment until mid video, shows how genuine your videos are. I'd like to know what kind of dye you use for color please

[@crattis]

Seal the top of the wood slabs with something. Thank you for the new channel and video. Is there a temperature too cold to do epoxy pours? I live in Michigan, with an uninsulated garage where I do my woodworking. I have a log workbench that developed a large crack as it dried (ok, really, two workbenches). They're deep voids on the side. I was trying to fill them with wood glue, but now that I've seen this and have a better understanding of deep pour. Since it's winter, I wonder if I can pour more than 4 inches with a fan blowing on it?

[@MostlyCreativeVideos]

"Sealing the slabs and leave the curing process for a month" - Essential tips! I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos. I have not, (Or simply can't remember), seen how much collateral damage occurs with these projects. Do you throw away the buckets etc? How do you dispose of excess epoxy, (Especially when dealing with leaks), and basically the clean up process in addition to if/when there are are any issues. May seem like a boring question but would be fascinated to get some perspective from a pro ;)

[@rickemills60]

I love the info about sealing it thank you for all your information I want to know a link for your buffer and storage for sand paper thanks

[@B30pt87]

Many thanks.

[@Liam_Dennett_GMDC]

Another good video pal. Enjoying from 🇬🇧

[@roym.1141]

Hey Cam, huge fan of yours and my first time commenting on one of your videos! I was wondering if there are ever any advatages, in your opinion, of sealing live edges with dewaxed shellac over epoxy? I've seen some videos where people use shellac to seal their slabs before pouring epoxy, but a basic google search is leading me to believe to always seal with an epoxy base coat.

[@chrisbucy7860]

The fan rule is one I haven't been using. Thanks

[@TiptonMama]

I love the bit about remembering to use the mold release to get your project out of the mold. It's exactly the same concept with cakes. Coat the pan, and your cake will come out. Forget to coat the pan, and you'll have a crumb cake. 🤪

[@mdfogarty]

16:33 Thanks for the metric conversion to pesos!

[@malleusbugum]

)))) Your reply to the troll of the week is just epic! ))) I can't stop smiling )) Top marks here! )))

[@Papm300]

Very nice and cool way of explaining

[@greecelegends1]

Thank you for everything! Thanks to you I am building my own table at the moment. I am waiting for the second layer to cure. Does the second layer have to be completely hard until I can put on the second layer? Thank you!

[@Goalsplus]

Sharing knowledge is expansive thinking. And it builds client trust and confidence because "this guy knows what he is talking about". And therefore more sales. Any real competitors are going to figure it out on their own anyway. So actually there are no secrets. And who are these competitors, some guy at home who would never spend $10,000 on a table? And he just might refer a professional buyer to you because he trusts you, too. Adam Savage is one person who gives good advice against gate keeping.

[@paulfowler3416]

We like to do something like a 5 mm pour into the mould then add the wood weight eights, helps ensure bottom of mould is sealed. When the next deeper pour is done, onto form but tacky resin, the mould is sealed and wood is stuck down and does not float since the new epoxy cannot get under the wood. This is for small tables, don’t know if that works with large tables.

[@michaelpeterson9707]

Your rule to mix like a DJ who lives at home…. Where else would they live? Haha A lot of good info. Thank you for sharing. Looking to do a small project soon for my wife. She wants a walnut slab desk with gold accents. Kind of like your “Toughest client yet” video. Would you suggest a gold epoxy pour using a powder for color or suggest using the brass stuff you used? This will be my first project using either. Figured I’d ask you to see what your thoughts were. Especially since you seem to respond to the majority of your viewer’s comments. Thanks again for your time and content.

[@kenlong1758]

Thank you for the video. Very helpful. You mentioned sealing the edges, and later you said to seal the top. Can I do both with shellac? If not do both with the same liquid glass epoxy? Or should I seal the edges with epoxy and the top with epoxy?

[@livingtree21]

Thanks again for the video sir.....

[@AbuAamna]

Can, very new to epoxy and definitely yours awesome videos inspired me to start my first river table( a very small dimensions to start with), my question is about finishing, what should come first? A wood finish like danish oil and then ceramic polish ? Please help me what should be the sequence to get that glass like finish? Thanks in advance❤

[@craigkwasney3441]

Great video. What is the longest time you can wait to pour your river after sealing your edges. Thanks

[@CreatingMomentum]

This is another great video! Question: when pouring deep (greater than 2“) how long would you wait for the first pour to cure?

[@taicupit8504]

I dig the, seal the top of the slab before pouring rule. I’m working on my first epoxy table right now. I’ve watched most of your stuff, I must have done something wrong when making the router sled, do you have any videos for planning, milling, or surfacing down this table at home? We love your stuff and your insight by the way!!

[@betsy773]

Thank you.

[@locomokko]

Sealing the top is something I hadn't considered, and you probably just saved me my first disaster! I had another thought about the cracked epoxy though. Years ago when I was living in Australia, I had a table that was glass, but it had been "shattered". The maker actually sandwiched a shattered piece of glass between to whole pieces of glass, and sealed it (no idea how). But it looked really cool, and unexpected to have a shattered glass tabletop. What about a way to "save" that disaster by pouring another clear coat, like at tabletop epoxy over that, or covering the top with a glass pane? Could be interesting. Scott from Japan