How to make wood coasters (the right AND the wrong way)

How I made a set of DIY coasters out of spalted alder, and an accompanying holder out of scrap walnut. My first two attempts were...unsuccessful. Third time's the charm, right?
See more of my work at www.lecowoco.ca
Follow me on Instagram at / lecowoco
Follow me on Facebook at / lecowoco
Music:
Grandbankss - Realism
Bad Snacks - Easy Saturday
Bad Snacks - Kate's Waltz

[@drewjohnson4673]

Best video production of a screwed up project on KZbin!!! Great job!

[@peterlabat1527]

This was so soothing to watch, it felt like a lullaby

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thank you! Definitely the vibe I was going for. 👍🏻

[@gr0undrush]

ASMR woodworking 😄

[@MrHerpderping]

More more more I need more videos love the way you put context in the videos it’s not a waste of time there’s a lot of substance in your videos and how you explain things thank you man

[@RichGrisak]

Nice job. I know that feeling of 2 fails and a win but you go the win! Always learning!! They look great.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thanks Rich!

[@lenferproduction]

they are no fails...they are ways that did not work

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

Beautiful colors on that splatted wood. Just gorgeous.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thank you so much! I love that spalted wood too!

[@susanp.collins7834]

Yes, it is - but I wouldn't have made coasters - I would have made wooden pendants with leather thongs... Lots of lovely designs out there.

[@peterbromwich8437]

Great video, nice to see I am not the only one that does it a few times before you hit on the right way!

[@vickirillera]

Your voice is so relaxing! very insightful video and great editing ! but i wish i had all these tools

[@MrAmw1]

Beautiful work mate great choice of wood and i found you very therapeutic to listen to 👍

[@wakelywanderer12]

A very smooth and informative video. We all have been there. I like your style, presentation and finished product. Subscribed.

[@svenstenberg2124]

I appreciate it! I swear I've got more videos coming...business has been booming this summer so I haven't had time to edit anything! A good problem to have though, right? :) Thanks again!

[@matteliano454]

Great vid Sven. We learn more from our failures that our successes. Now, on to that ASMR, soothing Bob Ross voice over lol. I was waiting for you to say 'there are no mistakes, just happy accidents', but I don't think that applies to woodworking :).

[@patpacheco3296]

I love this video thank you It's perfect. For your holder is that molding that you used for the vertical pieces?

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thank you so much! The uprights on the holder were cut from solid pieces of walnut...but using molding like you suggested would be a much easier method! :)

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Sven, Great Video You should make more videos. Would love to see one of your shop/tools.

[@AbitLippy]

Nice. Good to know what works and what doesn't. How think are the coasters?

[@cloeducationtv]

Just subbed to your channel, looking forward to more videos like this, Excellent work!!!

[@_bjarki2345]

this channel is so underrated

[@gr0undrush]

Massive thanks for this. I watched this to find a good finish for coasters (I was torn between lacquer and oil, so that worked out perfect). The best bit of all though, was your use of the glue gun, on the jointer sled for your planer. Super easy method and worked really well.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thank you! I'm still using the glue gun method, and just picked up the Ryobi battery operated glue gun to make it even easier to do!

[@melandjon2]

Nice video! With the oil that you used on your other coasters, did filled glasses stick to the coaster after sitting on them for regular usage?

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thanks! I've only had one of my glasses stick to the coaster but that has more to do with the flatness of the glass itself (and being covered in condensation) than the finishing oil. I always use a drying oil or polyurethane on my coasters now.

[@freethinking8749]

I really appreciate your honesty. Thanks for showing us your mistakes. I sure make plenty

[@MyMySugar]

This was so satisfying!

[@JohnColgan.]

Beautiful spalting, nicely made, eventually! great gift from your brother, what else is planned for it?

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thank ye kindly! I'm so grateful for all of it! We just bought a house, so my next plan is to build a fireplace mantle with it!

[@nitrousblast1]

Woodworking is a constant learning experience. Thanks for sharing Since you finally went to the table saw to resaw the coasters, how thick did they end up being?

[@fasteddy07]

You did an amazing job! Thanks for sharing!

[@svenstenberg2124]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@DanieleDuPlessis]

In the 4 years since this video, I noticed in your replies that you have switched over to a wipe on poly and adhesive cork. Would you need to do the finish (whether poly or oil) after applying the cork? I cant see the cork sticking on top of an oil finish? Wish you'd do more videos, over 1k subscibers and just 1 video, impressive!

[@svenstenberg2124]

@@DanieleDuPlessis Thank you SO much for the kind words! Since it's a "drying" finish, once the poly is cured (I typically give it a week), the adhesive has no issue sticking to it at all. I'd LOVE to do more videos (and believe me, I have many planned and some even recorded), but I've been a stay-at-home dad for the past three years so my time has been occupied with the most important job of all. 😁 Thank you!!!

[@DONUTnews]

Sven's voice is like cake for my ears. Oh.. and nice video 😊

[@diybuildandlife207]

I used poly and the surface sticks with a hot coffee. Also the surface has completely boiled up when left in sun. How is tung oil holding up?

[@svenstenberg2124]

Interesting. I switched to a wipe-on poly (that I blend myself) and I haven't had any issues whatsoever with hot beverages or sitting in direct sunlight. I only used the tung oil for this set, but haven't heard any negative feedback thus far.

[@clarenced.950]

I’ve been doing this a long time and making plenty of mistakes along the way and you know you would think I would learn but alas the “I’ll never make that mistake again” is just an invitation to create a new one.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Try again...fail better! :)

[@user-ov7su1lg3h]

Very, very, very beautiful... Hunter green... A very nice color. A hunter green Rolls Royce is gorgeous. You chose a great green. Some are terrible... You did well. You tried three times? Big deal. Great job.

[@Blackwido88]

Seems like a lot of work for 1 set, but who am I to talk? 😂 They look really nice.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Nah, you're absolutely right about that! It was an absurd amount of work, but to be fair it was quite literally my first attempt. I've since refined the process and I can crank out dozens of sets in a day now! Thanks!

[@Blackwido88]

@@svenstenberg2124 I just made my first set of 10. They're hexagon shaped and hit with a fractal burner. Did it with a fence picket. I just wanted to try. They're not bad considering that I'm just watching KZbin videos.

[@WiggyB]

Really interesting video.

[@trokt2]

I think you should shim the bent wood before planing, but looks like it worked out well too. Very nice coasters, sir.

[@bigrussell100]

Really nicely done

[@SirJer]

An experienced woodworker recently suggested to me to use Polymerized Tung oil (Lee Valley tools sells it). It dried much harder and has better water resistance. Very nice coasters! I'd probably still re-saw on the bandsaw just because I find doing it on the table saw to be kinda sketchy. But do you have any tips for this, maybe there's a better way.

[@svenstenberg2124]

I'll have to look into that tung oil...thanks for the tip! As for resawing on the table saw, I would only do it if you've got a riving knife installed. Cut one side half-way, flip it over, do the other side. That's my preferred technique these days. :)

[@enzprintco.8625]

I use the table saw as well. It’s not a 3HP saw so outs a little under powered. I’ll do about a 1/4”-1/2” at a time, leave about 1/4”1/2” tab in the middle then cut through that pretty quick with a hand saw or flush trim saw. Safer then something tipping with that last through cut. Guess we’ll see if I get a new table saw with a riving knife or a band saw next lol. I am hearing some people getting fairly decent cuts with their bandsaw. I believe the blade is a 1” resaw king from laguna…but don’t quote me on that. Great looking coasters by the way! :)

[@bobnicholas5994]

I have done felt on the bottom not a good thing long term. It gets wet and it absorbs milk etc. But you were honest about not doing perfect projects.

[@svenstenberg2124]

That's a really good point! I only did felt for a few runs of coasters. I've since switched to adhesive cork pads and it's MUCH better! Thanks for watching!

[@rogertyler3237]

Using Different Colored Wood That's Cool Too.

[@williambaldwin9346]

They look amazing, I want to make a set myself, and sent this video to a friend who is looking for projects now. Also where is a good place to buy this type of wood? Not Lowes/ Home Depot, for lumber, siding, etc, but wood working project materials like this?

[@MojoMorlock]

Most cities have local lumber stores/sawmills you can buy domestic and exotic wood from for way cheaper than big box stores

[@FennahMakes]

Great build!!👍🏻

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

what kind of bandsaw and planer do you have?

[@svenstenberg2124]

The bandsaw is a random Taiwanese Delta clone from the early 90's I picked up for a song. The planer is a Mastercraft (a cheap Canadian brand) that's surprisingly not terrible...

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

@@svenstenberg2124 Thank you

[@GrainGripping-zg5nc]

Nice video man

[@jimmyed1556]

How did you make the v for the holder?

[@kaiparedes3903]

Try turning the gain on your mic down a little bit, it might help the audio sound a bit better. But great video! Definitely left a like 👍🏼

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thanks for the tip! I've always struggled with audio!

[@excelsior8682]

@@svenstenberg2124 also just scream at random intervals. It emphasizes that you are an alpha male and that you are the dominant one in your workshop

[@woodsniffer]

thanks for posting.Looks great.

[@harrisshob5819]

i used old wood and they are irregulalry round which i liked for a natural coaster but then i stained it and all the pretty wood went away so it was a huge mistake

[@svenstenberg2124]

Oh man, I feel you! I use stain VERY sparingly these days for just that reason! Stain is so difficult to remove properly. For what it's worth, I've found that an oil-based clear finish is exactly what suits most lumber. The oil gives the wood a rich, warm tone and that's typically enough for me! Good luck in your future projects!

[@vladimirangelov1513]

how thick are they?

[@svenstenberg2124]

I typically plane them to about 3/8".

[@CarTown_Vids]

Video on holder?

[@HappyDoesYoutube]

How does the tongue oil hold up to water damage?

[@kshultz1125]

How did you make the base. Not sure how u made the cuts that fit into the dado you cut?

[@jumpingjacks5558]

Excellent

[@courtneyovery2065]

Cool idea

[@ShamWowW1]

Enjoyed the video. do you plan on making more? And also do you do a lot of woodworking?

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thanks for watching! I've got several more that I've already shot...it's just a matter of finding the time to edit them! Woodworking is pretty much my full-time passion/hobby/income during the summer months.

[@ShamWowW1]

@@svenstenberg2124 where do you sell your projects?

[@svenstenberg2124]

@@ShamWowW1 Local markets and craft fairs typically. I'm beginning to get a bunch of custom orders this year, but I'm still very much enjoying the market crowds.

[@ShamWowW1]

@@svenstenberg2124 that is exciting. I've always enjoyed woodworking. I'm trying to make more time for it although working a full-time job. Well I look forward to seeing your next video.

[@martinsnibbor7691]

Bandsaw blade is too small, also I cut a piece of scrap wood same size I’m re-sawing and make a small test cut and use my calipers and make sure my both sides are even before using expensive wood . Nice job though thanks for sharing.i like the nail board you used.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Absolutely it was too small! I've since upgraded to a larger blade, but it doesn't help that my bandsaw desperately needs a tune-up. For now, I'm simply resawing them on the table saw.

[@rogertyler3237]

What Kind Of Wood Did YouUse?

[@susanp.collins7834]

Spalted alder.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Spalted alder for the coasters themselves, and the holder is solid walnut.

[@amwartwork]

using growth rings end grain works well i have found.

[@Malk_321]

Pool Tables. Thats why Green felt reminds you of Bar items

[@svenstenberg2124]

Good call! Although I've now switched to using cork squares with an adhesive backing...so much quicker to do!

[@sergeiivanov5325]

👍 what kind of tree is this?

[@patrickmccrary6233]

spalted alder

[@prodbykrate2095]

Nice video style 👌

[@lincolntewhaiti6404]

Tung oil or harlem oil (danish) is great.

[@Poikka65]

Seems to me to be an awful lot of sawing etc just for coaters , considering the price of electric now

[@bridgetwoods9550]

Yours are absolutely beautiful though, 😉

[@4691cvdivad]

Did i miss the part that shows how you made the base?

[@svenstenberg2124]

Nope, you didn't miss it. I quickly threw it together and didn't even think to record the process. I basically just rabbeted the uprights, and cut some matching dadoes on the bottom four corners.

[@nitrousblast1]

What was the thickness of the pieces for the coaster holder?

[@donnah5378]

Nice 👍🏾

[@rogertyler3237]

I Use A 2x4 & Make Square4 inches Top & Bottom

[@bridgetwoods9550]

My phone's been listening to me. I just said I would like to make some coasters!! 😲

[@brandonfigueroa2810]

Thank you for keeping in the mistakes. Sometimes I feel like my dumbass is the only one that can never seem to plan the perfect project

[@АндрейДеревяга-о4к]

Отлично и оригинально. Подписался здесь и в инстаграмме. Успеха и спасибо.

[@JuvyOmenez]

Great

[@amistry605]

Subbed...

[@williampierce2034]

Cool.

[@JoshMacintoshMusic]

I could listen to you talk all day long... Film more please!

[@mr.m2695]

You should pay someone with an exciting voice to do your vids. Damn near put me to sleep

[@susanp.collins7834]

Another commenter said he has a soothing, attractive voice. I'm going with soothing and attractive. Maybe it's not his voice that's making you want to go to sleep - perhaps its whatever you've been smoking, snorting or shooting up...

[@sirxorge7611]

You practice your video voice hu 😂

[@svenstenberg2124]

HAH! Truth be told, my "video voice" is just me talking in such a way that didn't wake up my wife and kids sleeping down the hall!

[@DavidBoston-rx2yi]

Just watched 10 min of someone making a square??? 😂

[@buildzmodz3871]

Get a 4x4, slice 4 and stain em

[@svenstenberg2124]

That's just cheating! :) Besides...I only had 1" planks to work from. I would've loved to chop up some spalted 4x4 though!

[@highlandsprings5752]

Imagine using over $5000 worth of machinery to make a $5 coaster

[@svenstenberg2124]

Table saw: $300 Planer: $250 Band saw: $250 Clamps: $50 Your math's a wee bit off there friend-o. If you'd like to supply me with the additional $4150 worth of tools I'd be much obliged. Regardless, since I made this video I've built and sold enough of these sets of coasters to purchase well north of $5K worth of additional tools... ...but go on. 🤣

[@highlandsprings5752]

@@svenstenberg2124 Really wasn't going that deep into it to be honest with you mate, I'm sorry if my comment affected you in such a way that you felt you had to justify yourself, but I will say is $300 for a table saw you got a really good deal there and the amount of work your machines put into making them coasters i would expect them to sell very well highly doubt you sell them for $5 either, I make very similar coasters using hand tools they go for about $10. Anyway nice talking to you and remember if I didn't like your video I wouldn't have left a comment.

[@QUIZABOUT]

you sure complain a lot Mr. Perfect. Most people would love be able to build those things mate and they cannot do it. I can build anything out of small pieces of wood. Show some gratitude that you can do these things with ease.

[@gcase08]

Great info but dump the valley girl voice fry.

[@svenstenberg2124]

Thanks for watching! I agree with you on that! I don't normally speak that way but I recorded the voiceover late at night and didn't want to wake up the family. Hushed tones resulted in an unexpected amount of vocal fry! 🤣

[@gcase08]

@@svenstenberg2124 Ahh! Well, then you are forgiven. 😂. 👍

[@wetspotswimwear1199]

OR.......just use a 4×4 to make them. Cut, sand, spray, done. Cheaper, faster, most importantly $$$$

[@paulorlando5877]

That's exactly what I do,lol.

[@paulorlando5877]

I slice it like bread, lol.