DIY Resin River Coasters With "FAUX” Live Edge Wood

I've made a few resin river projects on my channel, but lots of friends have asked for a smaller version to practice with. So, to help get you started on your resin river table journey, I'm sharing a tutorial for DIY "Fake" Live Edge Resin River Coasters tutorial using scrap wood from my shop! Even cooler, I didn't use live edge wood for this project! Here's how I did it!
This project is sponsored by Bernzomatic.
»»»» M A T E R I A L S & R E S O U R C E S
Full Project Post (Steps & Materials List): wp.me/p79fl6-1Lg
»»»» M A T E R I A L S (A F F I L I A T E L I N K S)
Bernzomatic Detail Torch: bit.ly/2WAA0OT
Deep Pour Epoxy (use "DIYHUNTRESS" for 20% Off): bit.ly/3doDlYh
For full list of materials & tools, please visit my website: wp.me/p79fl6-1Lg
»»»» S O C I A L M E D I A
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[@cassnla34]

I know I’m way late and I’m binge watching. Girl you are da BOMB!!!!!

[@oldman774]

Just a tip, a hole saw would cut your circular coaster perfect first time

[@barbarabertram2132]

Thank you soooo much for talking fast, getting to the point and not dilly dallying like so many others do. You kept me engaged throughout, and I now know how to do this! I have subscribed because I absolutely love your teaching style!

[@akekJK]

Thank you for sharing all the tips and tricks ❤

[@mitschmackesbylenaschmack2992]

These are absolutely beautiful. I really appreciate your videos and that you show your whole process, what you learned and would do differently next time. I am completely stunned by your passion for crafting and that you have a full time job and make these awesome things on the weekends.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you for all of the love!

[@jessicahites871]

Loving these river coasters!

[@jonathanlynch9587]

I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate/love this video. Thank you so much for making it. I am really looking forward to making some stuff like this myself 👍🏼.

[@diyhuntress]

Yess! So glad you enjoyed!

[@karenmcneill2602]

This was great. Extremely pretty coasters and I love the details/how tos you give.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much!

[@mayrakopjansen2814]

Absolutely beautiful Thank you for sharing this video

[@jscook54]

Lovely. I think I might try this soon. Thanks for sharing.

[@doc2nd2]

Great instructional video. I appreciate the concise manner you presented this project with just enough additional material to make it personal without wasting time. I’ll be subscribing to your channel and looking forward to seeing more. Keep up the great work!

[@diyhuntress]

Glad it was helpful!

[@VanessaRogers]

YOUR MIND!! love this

[@diyhuntress]

Ahaha. I don’t know what goes on up there half the time... 😂

[@nexotaku3199]

It is so beautiful, I definitely want to make some ) Thank you for sharing! Great job!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! I’d love that!

[@lostsailor2759]

Very cool. Way to think outside the box. I just brought the same molds an I'm excited to use them. Thanks for sharing.

[@diyhuntress]

Yess! Hope you’ll share your project to #diyhuntress when you’re done!

[@bluenote6519]

Super great project - just what I needed to get started. Thanks!!

[@diyhuntress]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@amandavincett7409]

These look stunning! Absolutely gorgeous, you are so talented do this 💕😊

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much! Just love trying new things.

[@ErikHovedskou77]

Looks great

[@wenofzen9139]

Fantastic work!!!

[@WorkbenchWoodworking]

Great job! I realy like your style, maybe I will try to make these. Keep up the good work

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! I’d love that!

[@timdyer7692]

Very nice project! I would like to try something similar soon. You always impress me with your ideas - keep up the good work!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much! 😍

[@jakrobuilds]

I wanna try this one day! thank for the tips!! Really good job!! 👍

[@diyhuntress]

Ahh! I’d love that! So glad it was helpful!

[@tonybacon6277]

Awesome video. Looks like a project I could handle.

[@nancykowalkowal3078]

Amazing, thank you so much

[@williamellis8993]

A fun project, Sam, and they look great. Stay safe and well. Bill

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you, Bill! You too!

[@matthewhorbund8994]

Great work, thank you for sharing.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[@shubberali3419]

my kids are just getting into woodworking (11 year old boy and girl twins) and they are so excited to do this project. Thanks for the video!

[@diyhuntress]

This makes me so excited! 😍

[@heyimamaker]

Nice one Sam, They look amazing!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[@BrianArsenault]

Great project! I’ve only found your channel recently, but have really been enjoying it!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! So stoked you’re here! 🙌🏼

[@lovely31bluprint]

You are very handy with tools. Loving it.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! I love it!

[@JolienBrebels]

They are really beautiful Sam!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much!

[@jonathanfemenella8662]

Awesome video Sam! They came out so nice!

[@diyhuntress]

Thanks so much, friend!

[@yasin040190]

They turned out really great looking 👍

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much!

[@flix4u]

Nice and easy for a resin & woodworking project. I think it’s a good start 4 me too.

[@diyhuntress]

Awesome! Would love to see your project, if you tackle it!

[@RBLACKPEARL7]

Very nice ❤. I made some round coasters with family photos etc with resin mixed 👍.

[@jonathanfemenella8662]

Love these I’m definitely going to have to make these

[@diyhuntress]

Yesss! I’d seriously love that!

[@evelynmueller6523]

love this project!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[@SouthwestIndustrialElectric]

Subscribed! We love these! They are so cute. :)

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much!

[@todologic]

Subscribing! I like the fact that you use proper security equipment. It's a rare thing to find in some, very successful, youtubers. So thanks for that and showing the right way to do it.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! Glad you’re here!

[@keshavsingh635]

Awesome project and some dope dance moves

[@diyhuntress]

Ahah - thank you!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video and narration. Cool looking coasters. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much!

[@vernonhowell4485]

I see the dance moves are still in effect! Oh by the way, coasters look fantastic miss!!

[@diyhuntress]

ALWAYS. 😂 Thank you!

[@Handwerkskoenig]

great video. I make epoxy resin videos myself and just love it! Keep it up!

[@diyhuntress]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@dennisg11348]

Very nice! thank you for sharing.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[@AndrewMiguelez]

If epoxy wasn't so expensive, this would totally be my first project using it. Those coasters look awesome.

[@diyhuntress]

It’s definitely not the cheapest product, but it does last a while depending on what you make! The table top epoxy is much cheaper than deep pour, you just have to pour it in 1/4” increments instead of all at once. If you’re interested in pricing it out for a small project, my discount code gets you 20% off and free shipping at MAS. Just enter “DIYHUNTRESS” at checkout. 😊

[@AndrewMiguelez]

@@diyhuntress Thanks, Sam. I'll look into it.

[@LogsCarvingClub]

Great video, I'll definitely try the faux live edge idea! A couple questions: is the urethane good enough to not use any oil to finish the pieces? Also confused on the alcohol addition to the epoxy, do you let it sit to get a pattern or do you need to push it around? Please let me know! Thanks

[@leethomas6330]

I love it

[@MadeByMarylou]

You the best!! J'adore

[@diyhuntress]

No, you are! 😘

[@automaticprojects]

Great video and beautiful project! I just did my first project using MAS Epoxy (table top, looking to use the deep pour next!).

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! Resin projects are so addicting, right!?

[@Fbbryan]

WoW love them s lot

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[@charley408]

Well, it must be nice to have all those awesome tools, like that belt sander, lol! That makes light work out of sanding.

[@Kaymon]

Hello love this so much I went and tried my own. What spray do you recommend to seal them. I’ve waxed oiled and varnished mine but after first use they got a ring mark from the glass of water I used

[@mgervasi1277]

great project... doing mine in the same fashion for christmas gifts to the family... Question for you: i don't have a belt sander only palm-orbital... what grit would you or did you use to remove the spillage/excess epoxy?

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great video Sam! Thanks for sharing it with us!💖👌👍😎JP

[@diyhuntress]

Thanks, JP!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Your very welcome Sam! Have a wonderful week!😎

[@diyhuntress]

You too!

[@michelebenini8125]

Nice! Greta job 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😃👏🏻

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! 😊

[@ianfry5322]

Nice project. Thanks.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! 😊

[@ianfry5322]

@@diyhuntress I would like to do this project but make the coaster thinner than yours if possible. How much thinner do you think they could be before they would compromise the bond of the epoxy on the wood edges?

[@ronaldmorris7672]

What a great idea! I’d you’re making these in bulk it might be worth it to make one giant river blank and use a large hole saw to cut the coasters out.

[@timlarson7228]

Very interesting

[@LabrysStoryteller]

I absolutely love your videos. Thank you so much. I want to make coasters but some of my wood is not thick enough to on the surface. Can I do a shallow tinted pour and then a clear coat after that?

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! I don’t see why not. You’ll just see the different layers of resin once you remove them from the mold.

[@Kkuts37]

NICE!!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! 😍

[@goemaerefabian6998]

excellent merci pour ton partage

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[@robertevans6481]

Tables, coaster's guitar bodies,next oh yea a resin bed frame.....lol...👌

[@diyhuntress]

Ahaha. Maybe a resin house! 😝

[@dalejones4186]

Hi Sam. You can also put cyano glue on one tape and activator on the other tape to make it cure on contact. Great job.

[@diyhuntress]

Yess! Been wanting to try a product with an activator!

[@bsquaredMTB]

First of all, love the video. You mentioned you don't have a router table. If you did, would you have used that to clean up the sides?

[@marykrafts4607]

Really nice and great info being that it's a coaster I would have finished them with a thin coat of resin thats heat resistant so you can sit your coffee cup on it without sticking and added a cork bottom. make tile painted & resin coaster Think I'll try this Thanks for sharing 💗

[@diyhuntress]

Thanks for the love! That’s the beauty of DIY projects. You can finish your project any way you’d like. Hope you’ll share when you’re done! 😊

[@richardbaynes3862]

Where did you get the molds that you used for the coasters?? Thank you - loved the video

[@kjcarpentryandsons3318]

Hey Sam, finally made it over from insta. I love these and have just got my first Epoxy so I might just give this a go. What's the worst that can happen... They leak all over my workbench and stick forever lol. Thanks for the vid, Jon x

[@diyhuntress]

So stoked you made it! I say go for it! If you use the silicone molds, you should be okay. Just lay out a lot of plastic to be safe. 😁 Good luck!

[@christophermckinney984]

I really enjoy watching your videos, and from you I’ve gotten so many ideas of things I want to attempt. As a matter of fact, I’ve copied several of your playlists for easier referencing, then realized I should just subscribe, so now I am one of your happy subscribers! Anyway, love watching what you do, and can’t wait to learn my way around some of these projects with you as my guide. Oh yeah, I’m basically a brand new woodworker without ever having taken wood shop or anything before now, but I created a cutting board as part of an event with Wounded Warrior Project, and realizing how much I enjoyed the process and being extremely pleased with the result, I am diving in head first! (I’m a disabled combat veteran with severe PTSD, so I’m hoping woodworking will help with keeping my mind occupied and onto healthy thoughts). Anyway, I really love this piece, and though my keys are way too heavy to use the magnets, I do really want to create something similar! Keep it up 👍🏻, from a new fan!

[@christophermckinney984]

Oh, and I LOVE the way you created “live edge” wood for this project, and really gave me inspiration of how to try a live edge project without having to spring for live edge wood before I learn what I’m doing, since this will be my first attempt at using epoxy as well.

[@diyhuntress]

Hi, Christopher! So happy you’re here and enjoying my videos! Thank to for your service. 🙏🏼 Glad to hear you found a love for woodworking - it’s pretty much my favorite thing ever. Happy to hear you’re going to try my project! If you need any help, let me know! 😊

[@christophermckinney984]

DIY Huntress Thank you! Yes, I actually can’t wait to order some epoxy with my next paycheck (I have to space out my purchases...the wife is catching onto me!), and sort through the wood I currently have and find what I think will work best for this project. Quick question, what do you use for your pigments? I think I’ll need to order some mica powder with the epoxy, but I’m not sure which ones to order, or what brand.

[@christophermckinney984]

DIY Huntress Hi Sam, it’s been a while, and I am actually ready to attempt this project, but I just have one important question first. Before pouting the epoxy into the silicon molds, do you put anything into the mold to line it to make the epoxy “release” more easily? I have seen on tabletop videos a mold release being used, but I wasn’t sure if it was needed when using the silicon? I do have a Candle Mold Release here on hand, but if I do need to use a releasing agent, will that be sufficient, or is there a specific release that I should acquire? Thanks Sam, and I hope mine come out half as cool as yours!!

[@LabrysStoryteller]

Thanks so so much for this video! I want to make these but the wood I have is drift wood with some amazing grain. It will be difficult to make both sides flat. Could I pour resin so to allow it to run under the odd shaped wood? Thanks

[@diyhuntress]

So glad this helped! You totally can! That would look cool.

[@maniishpawar]

Hello can you please put up a video on how to build the workbench top you are using with the bench dog holes

[@diyhuntress]

I actually purchased that from Armor Tool. 😊

[@jimking9646]

very nice

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[@stephentaylor2725]

What type of sand paper do you use ?? Is it wet and dry !

[@chriss4537]

How do you determine how much resin you need for each coaster?

[@henrybridges6820]

Great video! Would it have been easier to have first poured between long boards then use a hole saw to cut out the coasters?

[@diyhuntress]

Didn't think of that! Possibly! I'd just be nervous about the jig saw chipping the resin while cutting.

[@marka.croson980]

Nice project! What is the size of your silicone mold, please? TY

[@hansdegroot8549]

I like wood-resin projects very much. For me, the smaller project the better because resin is extremely expensive over here and difficult to get. I didn't try to do any till now. On other channels I noticed that after completely hardening they sand both wood and resin and afterwards they use special polish for the resin to make it nice and shiny. Did you do that as well? Fake live edge = dead edge? Thanks for sharing the video. I learned a lot of new tricks for whenever I start to do some resin projects. Small is beautiful. Stay safe.

[@diyhuntress]

Glad you enjoyed the project! I’ve seen people polish their resin before, but I haven’t had to do that for my pieces. It does look cool though. I thought about dead edge, but wasn’t sure about it. 😂 Thanks for all the love!

[@coppergirlkaren]

great video. would you ever just do a resin coat on top as opposed to the spray?

[@diyhuntress]

You could! I chose the spray because I didn’t want the finish to look glossy. 😊

[@thomasc5817]

Easier method. Make the full length. Flip over. Find center and center point for each coaster. Get a router with circle guide and cut them all out.

[@offthecha1n]

Great video. Ordered the molds and currently experimenting with scrap wood to get a good circle cut. When I am confident enough to add the epoxy, how critical is it to keep it at that exact temperature. Would it just take longer to cure if it was warmer?

[@diyhuntress]

Yess! If it is too hot, the epoxy can actually overheat and cause a pretty bad chemical reaction. So, you may want to make sure that it is the right temperature or maybe a little cooler when pouring. If it is cooler, then the cure will take longer. Hope this helps!

[@paull9137]

I'm new to wood working projects and I'm taking notes on equipment I might get in the future. That said, do you like your Ridgid sander? If you could go back in time having already used it...would you buy it again? Really enjoyed the build!

[@diyhuntress]

Welcome to the most addicting hobby, ever! 😂 I love my sander so much! Such a worthwhile addition!

[@macbain59]

Curious, in the future would you consider pouring the epoxy between the boards before cutting into circles?

[@timlarson7228]

Very interesting idea

[@mickkeller8727]

Greetings and thanks for your videos. Is there one of them that more fully explains your use of alcohol with resin? If yes, please hare the title. If no, please share the details in your reply. Thanks

[@mahmoodkhan6623]

Awesome. Did you have to seal them with a topcoat too or did they come out looking naturally shiny?

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! Talk about it in the video - I used a top coat.

[@libertylumberworks]

Beautiful coasters! Since you're using an opaque epoxy do you think the jig saw needs to be cut on an angle? Looking at making my first set and want to do mine like this.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! You don’t have to, it just makes it look a bit more natural from the sides.

[@libertylumberworks]

@@diyhuntress Sweet! I have a batch I just got prepared and will be pouring this week. The molds you have in the video I picked up and they look perfect for the coaster size, great find!

[@shannonjakoby5109]

These are super fun! Imma total newbie at the epoxy projects. Quick question...if you wanted to stain the wood, would you do that after all final sanding? And would it still allow the shine to come through from the resin? Then, would you complete the last step of a final clear coat? Also, i’m assuming building up to the higher # sandpaper would eventually get rid of all of the haze caused by the sanding and allow a shine to come through again? Thanks for posting all of your projects! I’ll be watching very closely as I learn to do some of my own. Thanks for inspiring us!

[@diyhuntress]

Ahh! Welcome to the most addicting hobby ever! 😍 I would totally recommend staining them after you’re done sanding and then sealing them after you’re done staining. The higher the grade you use when sanding, the more of a shine you’ll get on the resin. Hope this helps!

[@shannonjakoby5109]

DIY Huntress yep! Totally helps! I’m learning a ton on my first little piece. A lot of do-overs! 😳 I just left a job of 14 years, did a year-long Central American road trip with my family, and now waiting for my husband to get a job so I can DIY full time and follow my creative heart for the first time ever! Not that you asked for my life story! 😂 Just thought you’d like to know who you’re inspiring out here! Ok, back to the shop...aka, one car garage, shared with way too many other hobbies! Thanks for the tips!!

[@peterlabat1527]

Happy dance on point as usual lol

[@diyhuntress]

I should probably just do KZbin video tutorials for sanding dance routines. I’m missing my calling here...

[@peterlabat1527]

@@diyhuntress it would be hilarious to see all your happy dances from your videos spliced together for one video lol.

[@peterlabat1527]

@@diyhuntress pure gold

[@johnpreston4938]

Love them, awesome build

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much!

[@allantheoret5389]

Awesome project. Could you please tell me, did you make that table and clamp system yourself? It looks sweet. I am looking for something for my garage and the options that this table would provide seem endless. Please tell. Thank you.

[@diyhuntress]

Thanks! Got that system from Armor Tool!

[@allantheoret5389]

@@diyhuntress Thank you. I will check them out. Have an awesome day.

[@risbill1]

A coping saw is another alternative to a skill or scroll saw. A bit more manual work but will get the job done and require less sanding than cutting them square.

[@diyhuntress]

Definitely a longer method, but for sure works!

[@pbalcommissioner3879]

Can you router thru the resin after a cured pour? Also, what is the brand of dyes you’re using. Love your content!!! Bravo!!,

[@diyhuntress]

Totally! I’m using Diamond Pigments - I have a direct link on the blog post for this project. Thank you!

[@pbalcommissioner3879]

You rock!!

[@sll-tt6bj]

I'm new to this It looks interesting what brand of resin did you say you used

[@diyhuntress]

Thanks! I use MAS.

[@stevenjones7539]

great work. would it not have been easier to set this as a long thin board and then cut the circles from that or could have then cut them square. but suppose theres more then one way to skin a cat as they say. great job/video keep them coming

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! Yes and no... the jigsaw has the potential to crack the resin after it’s cured. Doing it this way leaves a really clean edge. But, it can be done!

[@phallstrom]

Sam - can you explain (or link to) the rubbing alcohol pattern trick?

[@diyhuntress]

I don’t know what the science is behind it exactly, but you can see it way better in my resin key holder project on my channel! It causes a cool reaction! You can also do the same with acrylic pigments too.

[@phallstrom]

@@diyhuntress Thanks! That is a very cool technique.

[@jhroche75]

How thick are those coaster? Could you go thinner?

[@diyhuntress]

I want to say 3/4 or 1/2”? Of course you could! That’s the beauty of DIY projects. 😊

[@jhroche75]

DIY Huntress thanks! Those looks awesome by the way

[@shaunhayes9710]

What is the urethane spray that you use is it polyurethane, i am make some of these just now please contact as soon as you get the chance

[@diyhuntress]

It’s just a waterproof poly. Used a lot in outdoor furniture!

[@millieatr]

Hello ,,, Nice video,,,,,,btw I hope you dont mind but i sent a copy of your video to NASA , they were so impressed with your gluing techniques that they want to hire you for a new shuttle project gluing on some special tiles ..I salute you Commander Huntress......I made them promise me there will be NO SANDING involved .

[@j77scout]

DIY Huntress, I've been interested in doing epoxy projects for a while. Where's a good place to find the right epoxy materials?

[@diyhuntress]

I personally love MAS Epoxies. I use them for every epoxy project now! I have a discount code in the video description, if you’re interested in checking them out!

[@j77scout]

@@diyhuntress , any tips for a beginner? Epoxy type, wood type, etc?

[@diyhuntress]

I’d start with Table Top epoxy! It can be poured in small increments at a time and is pretty easy to use as long as you mix it the right way. Type of wood doesn’t matter too much! Just have fun with it. 😊

[@corbanmccracken2649]

Sorry to ask but how much would you sell them for? P.s great video

[@diyhuntress]

I have no clue, actually! I’d probably have to do some research before being able to answer that... 🙈

[@harveydolbow1336]

I want to try this but sanding ugh

[@diyhuntress]

I feel this on a spiritual level... 😂

[@miagolden-martin.livingmyb9316]

Stone can’t epoxy is an amazing product.

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

Not a fan of fake live edge. The grain doesn't match and it looks cheap to me, but just my preference. Have you tried Rubio monocoat for coasters? It's what I use. Super easy and cures quick.

[@diyhuntress]

Just showing an alternative for friends who can’t get their hands on a live edge piece but want to try a river pour. And yes, I use Rubio on all of my furniture builds. It’s great.

[@timlarson7228]

@@diyhuntress a classy reply to a rather rudely worded statement. His prerogative sure…… but still.

[@TheTranq]

Hmm we should collab sometime!