I Tested Viral Epoxy Rocks Table

I test building the epoxy rocks table done by The Donkey on TikTok !
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[@maybebored3283]

I love that the point of the rocks is to use the waste products, and then they make waste specifically for the table, and then the whole table becomes waste

[@hotshot7000]

Yeah... I wish they could've found a way to at least dispose of all that responsibly, rather than just dumping liquid pouring resin into the dumpster

[@ganjalfcreamcorn8438]

@@hotshot7000 itll cure and flake off over time. no different then throwing it away dry really. doesn't hurt the dumpster's feelings so who cares. although i would have happily taken it home to use the wood for a table lol.

[@KariIzumi1]

It’s the circle of life 😂

[@crowdemon_archives]

"An attempt was made" 😅

[@SatumainenOlento]

The irony the irony is strong with this one!!!

[@scoutsatan6206]

If you did the silver and blue "rocks" only you could do a frozen river with chunks of ice floating throughout.i think that's be a pretty cool table

[@colinblin1723]

Great video. I love when the mistakes are shown. It's unfortunate you couldn't track down exactly what happened.

[@MEATLOAFr]

Almost looks like one of the buckets of resin wasn’t mixed or bottles mislabeled when shipped

[@sahie]

It definitely felt like the hardener was missing, that’s for sure! 😬

[@Slide100]

Sorry about the bad pour. I had this kind of thing happen once, smaller amounts though. In the post-mortem, I realized that I had used more resin, instead of hardener, when I mixed it. 1:1 resin, guess I grabbed the wrong bottle. 🤷

[@lukedorey]

Yeah I think the exact same thing happened to me. One of the layers is still a bit gummy almost a decade later

[@meeprific]

I feel like you need to call Evan and Katelyn for any and all resin questions. 😂

[@BMSculptures]

Great now I cant stop thinking about doing this rock technique and carving something out of it. Fantastic idea.

[@TheRealCartman1]

To help prevent air bubbles I've put resin along the live edge, let it get to the gummy stage then done the main pour, seems to help keep any air bubbles coming through from the wood.

[@CurioussXe]

My two cents: besides your two ideas (expired resin and/or a bad ratio), the uneven cure could have been the degassing. I only work with 3 minute resin, so it may not directly compare, but if I try to degas, it foams and cures in about 15 seconds. The inside of the pot gets fairly warm, and that might have kickstarted your cure too soon. The finished table looks great though!

[@WiiNESticles]

IDK what you're talking about, I degass all the time and never have an issue, typically 60-80 oz degassed at a time single pours for me, never had a curing issue.

[@maddieadams75]

Wow table turned out great. Resin can be used years after expiration date, you’ll see yellowing to part A, this can be rectified by adding small amounts of blue if you need a clear pour, or add any color to mask the yellowing. I have a bottle of resin that I purchased in 2017 used it last week, colored it dark blue arguably my piece was smaller, the pour turned out fine. Resin that doesn’t set is 98% operator error ❤

[@darthroach9057]

Thanks for the tip. I have some that I put in a cabinet and forgot about but I still want to use.

[@niccilefevre]

This is why I think they should have added a touch of blue, total boat tends to yellow a lot over time and that would've helped it age a tad better.

[@maddieadams75]

@@niccilefevre actually I’ve been adding a mini drop of blue or green, I tried a micro drop of white and it clouded the clear resin, I’m still experimenting with colors, in all my clear pours to reduce the possibility of yellowing.

[@franklinhuenergardt3831]

It might be worth it to put the time in to making a rock mold for the epoxy.

[@dvperr]

I appreciate you leaving the mistakes in. We all make them, even experienced fabricators, but not all of us share our fails. A mistake is a learning experience, share it.

[@somebodyandthem]

I don’t, it makes the video longer

[@JeffieWeffie23]

I've got a crazy idea inspired by this video. Do a small end table to see how it turns out. Try smaller/non transparent pieces of epoxy and see if u can mimic a geo rock. As far as crushed epoxy. Maybe a rock crusher or something then screen out 1/2" 1/4" and 1/8th in and use what best fits the project.

[@Geoff1787]

Thoughts on tumbling the resin rocks so they are smooth? Might be a cool evolution.

[@H3xx1st]

Good idea! Suggestion: Wouldn't it make more sense to mould the "rocks" smooth first then tumble to have less waste? (Yeah, I know this kinda defeats the "use the waste resin idea")

[@Aisaaax]

I BTW really like the result, the soft pastel colors and the fact they are semi-transparent. This is so far my most favorite river effect that I saw. Others look great too, but this one is just amazing. Does it lose structural integrity because it didn't harden at the same time?

[@johnnyb95678]

Another great video showing the good, the bad, and the ugly about builds! Thank you for sharing!

[@michaelross8794]

Solid colors on the "rocks"...I was thinking the same thing the whole way through. In fact, when you pulled out the gold I figured you were going to with black and then drizzle the gold and maybe some white over it to make it look like marble.

[@kpp_3]

It's not from degassing too long. I worked as an engineer at a wind turbine manufacturing facility and we could leave resin in a degassing tank for 24 hours, conservatively. I feel your pain tho. 😢

[@John_Malecki]

Thank you, i still have no clue how i messed it up so bad

[@bearded_firemedic]

What type of resin was it that you used and are you positive that you kept under vacuum for 24 hours and not in a pressure pot? The reason I ask is that this type of resin will start to boil under vacuum very rapidly once the majority of the air bubbles are evacuated..

[@kpp_3]

@@bearded_firemedic polyester and epoxy resins and yes under vacuum. Not sure how industrial resin is different from this in the video. Good point

[@thefrankperspective4247]

Question for the engineer - Is it at all possible that the epoxy rocks and shards, under heat, partially reactivated or reacted, throwing off the ratio?

[@kpp_3]

@@thefrankperspective4247 if they're cured its fine. When we did any kind of repairs on blades, we used resin again (like filling holes or reinforcements) on cured resin with no issues.

[@darrylbuckett5380]

I've been thinking of something similar, but using lumps of coloured glass, looks great. Cheers

[@The_Slavstralian]

The yeeting them off the forklift is a great testament to epoxy's strength

[@ItsSaferUnderTheBlanket]

To me, this feels filmed and structured like a 2000's TV show in the best way possible.

[@user-vq1zz3bc3y]

Whenever you mix the epoxy it must be poured into the second bucket and mixed again, only in this way both components are guaranteed to connect

[@CathrinSK]

I can't get over how nice it ended up looking! So pretty.

[@californiacritic9779]

Malecki should make a mold to get the rock shape he wants. It's kind of like an ice tray just for the rock shapes.

[@Allogenes]

GI 1000 silicone is amazing for such things.

[@tedspens]

The table looks awesome! Now I'd like to see one with solid black resin, same clear stones, glass finish.

[@ronsimpson143]

You should do what Blacktail Studio does and paint the wood with fast set epoxy first. It keeps the bubbles from coming out of the wood into the resin.

[@timothysebo-glenn864]

I’d love to see it with solid earthy coloured rocks like charcoals and what not. Keep up the amazing work !

[@why6212]

Or natural gem colors like turquoise

[@RavenVargas27]

The chunks look like real crystals beautiful

[@paulcurley3164]

work with resin for composite boat building. only time i have ever seen that issue is ratio issues with the resin to hardener.

[@symbionictitan4074]

I like this channel because it is transparent and realistic, and shows the failures and struggles of creating. Also, takes both with a positive attitude.

[@JSFurst]

Just a suggestion for cleaning the "rocks" before your pour... Put them in a strainer and wash them, like lettuce.

[@donovanleeds4012]

Love the idea of the leftover resin for use as fillers - I can see creating something using marbles to the same effect.

[@christopher5855]

I actually really like the opalescent look and would actually prefer it to show more. Also maybe have more contrast between the light and dark color rocks. it seems to be a great way to use up excess epoxy in a variety of builds large and small scale like pen blanks, knife scales and all the way up to tables.

[@jimblack6733]

Another wonderful Malecki lesson! Thanks John, keep ‘‘em coming!!!

[@chriscalon8913]

That turned out much nicer than I was thinking. Great job!

[@spiritof1977]

I'm actually pretty impressed with the strength of that epoxy

[@MaryAGray-jj9tp]

Wow, that was really fun to watch!! Love the final table…just beautiful!!

[@Spain42]

I love that you still posted this video. We all make mistakes.. it’s nice to share them. We can all learn from them. Love you guys

[@adetokunbohakingba267]

I love the courage and creativity that went into this. I love the finished product 🎉

[@shibarmyburnz1978]

hahahah the courage to make it for content and the creativity to copy an idea. bravo

[@philblakely]

Y'all are a bunch of children with dangerous power tools... an I LOVE it!

[@CaptainSpock1701]

9:04 - Love that *"Yes!"* for the sledge hammers!

[@josiecapps2555]

Excellent at the end…great!

[@CordsElectronicShow]

Great video John! This is what we like to see. Keep the builds comin!

[@pokeypso]

My husband and I love watching your videos together! Thanks for all you do!

[@richardservatius5405]

This couple bought a brand new UTV and went riding. They rode for about a half mile and it caught fire. They bailed off it without getting burned. Totaled of course. The aluminum wheels melted and formed puddles that looked like bright, shiny streams. Very pretty. I can imagine pouring molten aluminum down a new, flat aluminum plate while tilting it to form a crooked stream and then inlaying the stream into wood.

[@jacobkamphus205]

I want to see version two. Take the first table, slice it up, throw it in a new mold, and pour resin over it. 10/10

[@brendanrobertson5966]

The opalescent result looks good. If you can find some storage space for the 'failed pour' tables, it could be a 'limited stock' item when you fill a storage bin.

[@markjohns4651]

That table turned out so much better looking than I thought it would. At the start of the video I thought there was no way this was going to look good, granted I never saw the one you got the idea from. Keep up the great videos.

[@thundakat80]

First things first......the portrait on the wall is awesome.....now back to the video

[@JessNV]

At least the bad resin wasn’t used on a high-end client project. Small blessing for sure.

[@davidnelson9775]

Interesting concept. Best part was using the bandsaw to flatten the top.

[@wpewingman5135]

True art takes patience and time.

[@jayillest9981]

Right when he said, “get the sledge hammers” and the guy goes YES! And took off running Had me dying 😂

[@markdull362]

That looks awesome. Might be interesting to embed some ARGB LED light strips underneath rocks for lighting effect.

[@CreativeHobbys-rt1il]

"we even have some rocks left over, maybe we have ourselves a little party." lol i couldn't breath after that joke!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Sometimes it goes bad. We live to learn and learn to live. Can't wait to see more videos soon my friends. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friends fab On. Weld On. Keep Making. God bless.

[@DavidVArt]

“It’s weird but it’s mine” should be the next shirt.

[@Data-Saver]

As someone who has done a lot of large scale epoxy projects I have 1 bit of advise (This is specific to what your doing in this video, not for all resin project just this 1 type) (Ignoring the non cure part coz that was out of your control) Clamp the wood down with a lot of clamps take your time with this part, making sure it's level. Add the epoxy rocks. Only add 1 quarter of the total resin you need, pop the bubbles like normal, then later check on it while it's still soft. Any new bubbles pop as many large one as I can it with something pointy (cocktail stick or a bbq screwer depending on size) Once it's set add the next quarter and repeat over and over. Keep the surface dust freel with cheap plastic wrap, it's just a precaution I personally do (Without it touching the resin, of course) But even better buy a vacuum chamber and de gas the resin before adding it VERY SLOWLY to not make new bubbles (I will admit they aren't cheap, but with the amount of resin/epoxy projects you do it's a well worth investment) Hope this helps or inspires some new ideas for your future projects.

[@TatsuChi]

couple of questions 1. could you use spray sealer in place of the quick resin 2. would pouring a thin-ish layer of resin first and letting it part set before putting in the rocks and then topping up worked better?

[@DonnyRP]

It’s amazing how good you are at this stuff. But then how bad you are at the same time 😂😂😂😂. Great work.

[@perry1559]

Where I was working before I retire, I used a couple different 2 part epoxies. The tech support rep told me that the catalyst has a such shorter shelf life than the enamel.

[@esaedvik]

The end result looks magical!

[@Jiiu27]

I Love John's Videos 💗

[@brandonhoffman4712]

What would be cooler? Actual rocks! Maybe a couple geodes, or some fossils

[@richs5422]

It’s like terrazzo, but with epoxy. Very cool.

[@ElectricRose9001]

It's like clear terrazzo, or opal. Very neat~

[@severalbees5115]

my guesses on what caused the pour failure are either that it wasn't mixed properly (I've seen those streaks form in that case,) the wrong ratio was used, or that there was moisture that got trapped in it. moisture in the wood or mold, or even in the epoxy itself would probably vaporize from the heat and form those big pockets. I don't know if epoxy resins can trap moisture, but I work with 3D printers a little, and I know that whenever you use certain plastics like Nylon, for example, you have to dry them out before use.

[@johnnyv303]

Some LED lights underneath would make it even more 🔥🔥🔥

[@GoldmansGarage]

Love screaming donkey. His stuff is amazing

[@MCsCreations]

It really turned out beautiful, John! Fantastic work! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@napsolo3453]

As Portuguese the final product kinda looked like Portuguese pavement, give it a look, it consists in dark blue and white rocks cut to shape by hand, doing something like it in Epoxy could look really nice.

[@jasonswayden9802]

When you throw something you must exclaim “YEET”

[@user-qh7ul4rq6w]

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.

[@ProfessionalByNoMeans]

Love my mini split. Didnt go with MRCOOL, but a definite game changer.

[@michaeltorres877]

Sure is a game changer. Purchased one from Costco last year and it's been amazing.

[@laurastrause3293]

Turned out great. I might watch a few more of these to try my hand at one. !!! Great inspiration.

[@5THRTB]

Great project! Not sure of my favorite denim but wondering what a corduroy table would look like lol

[@TheOneCleanHippy]

I feel like working with epoxy like this resuilts in so much microplastics going into the nearby environment.

[@jakesacco264]

the best part is when you made a material that doesn't take fall damage

[@adam_loooong1735]

swinging a sledgehammer axe as hard as you can at something sitting one inch above the concrete is THE definition of getting squirrely

[@telefrag93551]

Really cool result! I love when your videos build things. The test ones are cool but the build vids are better. This was a great combination of both!

[@DJELPSS]

Next level: Death Star trench waterfall table

[@camerongrimes715]

Love the way this one turned out, great job!

[@dennisstolwijk7906]

I cracked up over that Ron Swanson poster saying 'I know more than you' way harder than is healthy for me :D

[@bestfamily4489]

Turn one of these slabs into a wall mounted marble run. Copper tubing with slats for wood section and clear acrylic tubing for epoxy sections.

[@paulrobinson5833]

Aren't we done with thus epoxy and live edge fad? Brutal.

[@RangeWoodworking]

That was actually kind of cool!

[@washellwash1802]

You might even say it was... mr cool!

[@helimech0]

The flattening bit in the cnc looks a lot like the wagner safety planer. I used one when I use to build guitars.

[@AB-nu5we]

An even better use of old 'epoxy rocks' is filling in the voids in the local landfill. Ha ha.

[@jonathanray83]

I Love That Steelers sign+!!! HEEEATTHHH

[@kaylaremsen-mezzacappa9099]

sounds like the lego sound in the lego games when something is broken XD

[@johnprestonii871]

Honestly I love the good successful builds but there is something very entertaining about the fails also. Kinda makes people like myself feel better about failing at a project

[@andrewclarkehomeimprovement]

"should go fairly smooth" Kiss of death for any project.

[@timbrelypearsley3888]

I love that you celebrate the bark strip :)

[@user-rr1lu5nu3v]

There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.

[@hesswoodwork]

My guess is that the epoxy ratio was not correct or it was not mixed throughly. The temperature and degassing would not have made some of it cure and some of it still be liquid. I also do not think shelf life would affect it that much. I've used TotalBoat epoxy that was years old with no problems.

[@p.b.2286]

"Avoiding my duties as an adult" needs to be on a T-shirt 😂

[@evanhoover2447]

The word for that look is opalescent. The other word for it is SICK!

[@blandon9748]

I have learned so much from your mistakes, thank you! I have been doing epoxy tables for more than two years, and have avoided many major mistakes by watching your videos. Unfortunately, I have been able to invent some monumental blunders all on my own. The real talent in making epoxy mistakes is the ability to fix that which you have screwed up. And you have helped immeasurably with that process. Again, Thank you!

[@UnholiestJedi]

Live & learn. all of us must and you do it in such an entertaining way. Great vid!

[@SANFRAN]

John, how cold was the room when it was curing? Hotter cures faster, cold takes longer or not at all. I aim to have it around 75. If it's really cool, it can still cure, but can take a lot longer. I normally work with polyurethane, so I'm not sure about your total boat resin. Also how old is it? If it's around 6-12 months, it SHOULD be okay. But again, every case is different and resin can be a bitch.

[@John_Malecki]

We keep the room under 70. The longer it takes the less bubbles we get so we prefer cold.

[@SANFRAN]

@@John_Malecki Gotcha, Hmm... I did have a case where I degassed too long and it started to cure faster than normal. I also did get those booger whisps when over degassing too. It would be amazing if you built a huge pressure pot and it will solve a lot of bubble problems. If anyone could do it, you have the resources and space. Maybe not for full slabs, but the smaller end tables Degass - pulls bubbles out Pressure pot - pushes them to microscopic (not able to see w/ naked eye)

[@JohnPreston-xr4ih]

Right on really cool and your a Steelers fan!!!!!

[@amym8768]

Epoxy tables, the official tables of the Armageddon.

[@RJSDZNS]

That turned out stupid awesome!! I love your stuff John! Love your channel!!