How to Make Wood Coasters: Tips and Jigs for Batching

[@dennismullens41]

I always appreciate the portion of your videos where you emphasize the sales potential and possible prices to strive towards. Thank you not only for your woodworking, but for your life views.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Happy to hear it helps!

[@celticwoodworking8706]

If I may suggest a feather board mounted vertically on your table saw fence for the down pressure. Also run all of your coasters through your drum sander before you cut them to final size. That instead of all that hand sanding, when you cut them to size all you interrupt is the edge and that you take of with your router. That may be determined by how long it takes you to change grits on the drum sander. Slainge!

[@peteyscott45]

I'm a small time hobbyist and mostly make cutting boards, and recently I had a realtor commission some coasters as closing gifts. This video is very helpful and I plan to incorporate a lot of these methods! I don't know why you don't have more subscribers here because between this and your great cutting board video you're one of the best at explaining things!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you so much!

[@RISENGRINDWORKSHOP]

Who doesn't love these exotic coasters and cutting boards. Bummer consumers won't pony up the money for a quality product - in my market I can't even sell these for profit after labor and materials. Great tips for people just looking to learn!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

For sure! Definitely a challenge to find the right customers.

[@gordoncouch1420]

Thanks for the video. Just a thought, but I made a batch of 30 coasters with various scraps and finished with lacquer. To get the lacquer into the wood, and not just a surface film, diluted the lacquer 1:1 with mineral spirits. Two benefits to doing this, 1; the mineral spirits gets absorbed by the wood pulling the lacquer with it and 2; the mineral spirits accelerates the curing (drying) time shortening the finishing time. Another advantage is the mineral spirits help reflow the lacquer to give a very smooth finish.

[@matthall2860]

Great idea to glue up two sets at once and the sanding jig 👍

[@Supr2baboy]

I just found your channel while looking for a coaster tutorial. This is an incredibly informative and easy to follow video, yet not overwhelming. I'm stationed in the PNW and just starting to look at woodworking for when I get out soon. I'll definitely keep coming back to your channel. Thanks so much and God bless.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Much appreciated! Woodworking is a blast and it’s such a great time with KZbin and Instagram to learn from others in the woodworking community. Best of luck!

[@0oOLOVERo0]

One thing that I really like in your channel, is the detailed description of your way of work,, I am learning a lot from you,, Big Thanks 🌹

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate that! I’m trying to no leave anything out.

[@lestercruz3500]

That jig you made for sanding is awesome. thanks for the great idea! Great Job and thanks for all the tips!

[@KayakFishingIoW]

I'm watching from Norfolk in the UK. Super impressive 1st second to last. Go with it ❤.

[@patricknoel2122]

Easy to follow, useful, and rather well put together

[@RhinoWorks]

dude, this is such an amazing tutorial, super detailed. 👏 i made a few cutting boards in the past but never thought about building coasters. i'll definitely give them a try soon. 😀✌😮

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate that! Yeah, coasters are fun project to change it up. Definitely a great way to maximize the wood too.

[@lindasherrell3335]

I’m one of your newest subscribers. Started watching on your router bowl video, then saw the cutting board video and this one. I love making things and wood is fascinating…especially all the different grains and colors. So beautiful! I still want to work with wood but, after watching these videos, I doubt if I have the dedication to do all the work involved, or the time left to learn to do it even a tenth as well as you do. All of which leaves me wanting to have access to the beauty but unable to be self-reliant. Checking your website, everything is sold out! Bummer!! On the other hand, if I had an idea of when you would be listing new items, it would give me time to piggybank some funds so I could buy one of your functional art piece cutting boards and that would be absolutely awesome. As far as your phenomenal coasters, I totally agree with you about the problem of pricing them for sale. They have a lot more time, effort and raw material value in them than a reasonable asking price would allow. So-o-o, how do I get on your gift list?

[@jamiegleave7620]

Watched a lot of coaster videos... this is the best one.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate it!

[@supertruckerrolling]

Doesn't matter how careful or how much experience I really don't recommend crosscutting with a fence

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Yeah, that was dodgy af

[@DannyGarrett-ts3ho]

Ditto for sure. Really bothered me seeing him do that cross cut.

[@TeamProsperity]

Great information and I agree with your points on selling. Could offer as a bonus gift with more expensive purchases

[@gardening-in-the-woods]

Great video, thanks. I love the look of your shop, shelves full of tools, clamps, scrap wood, sawdust on the floor etc. Not a staged video set like some of the others. I just made a batch of coasters and used Tung Oil for the finish, it takes a while to cure but I like the final look.

[@christopherjames8317]

I finished a large batch of coasters (non-glue ups) and was curious about finishing options outside of the traditional wax/oil. I’m leaning towards BLO because that’ll give the nice finish and help keep the color popping. As you said, there isn’t a ton of profit so I’m trying to cut my labor if I can. Helpful video! Thank you!

[@michaelbeliveau5095]

I often debate whether they are worth selling too. I typically will do small batches, for reasons you mentioned, with simple patterns or just one solid wood with something engraved. One main thing i do differently is i sand the full blank after planing, before slicing into individuals. It eliminates the need for a sanding jig. I can hit them quick for a couple seconds of final sanding if i get a mark from sliding on the saw, router, or sander table.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Definitely loads of options and variables for efficiency!

[@zukobuilds4469]

I’m always looking for scrap projects to help clean up the shop and these are a quick and simple way of doing so!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

For sure!

[@ehengle]

That is a pretty slick sanding jig - nicely done!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@morgancork]

Really enjoy your videos. Keep them coming. Great point about the extra work with less profit for the coasters.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it! Yeah, in some situations can totally see it making sense. Definitely loads of variables.

[@twisterinigo804]

The beauty of this coaster tells me to hit the sub button.. nice work there bro..

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@PatrickMoredock-d1h]

Great video. I make some of these and they turned out great.Thank you, P

[@rowland.woodworks]

I feel an extra connection to this channel because you’re clearly in the NW as well. 💪💪💪 Go Hawks! And if you love torturing yourself like I do, Go M’s! 😂

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Absolutely! The drought is about to be over! Sea Us Rise 😁

[@plaxhub]

Great video 👏 the sanding jig is brilliant 👍

[@rogertyler3237]

I Whent To Home Depot & Bought Me Some Tightbond 2 & Boy Dose It Work Cool. It's Interior & Exterior. All I Have Is A Drum Sander I Put On My Drill. & It Serves The Purpus For Me. I Just Cut One From A Peice Of Pine Timber But It's A Bit Off But Like You Said I'll Need To Do Alot Of Sanding.

[@kdinkc]

They're gorgeous!

[@ronnorris1504]

Great idea. Thanks for the video and sharing your ideas

[@appalachianmountaindesigns7713]

Great video Nick, always like your description in your videos. I'm binge watching all your videos. Lol Thanks for sharing. Chris-"Appalachian Mountain Designs "

[@SixEightWoodworks]

😆 Really appreciate it! Hope they help!

[@joeowoodshop9451]

Just subscribed. I've made a couple dozen sets of coasters in the past. Sold 'em all. Going to try a fancier batch soon like yours.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Awesome! They’re pretty fun

[@joeowoodshop9451]

@@SixEightWoodworks Yeah for sure.

[@mass112594]

Curious how much you sell your coasters for? Do you sell just the coasters or a holder for them as well? I’m getting ready to make some and sell.

[@danwilson17]

Love all of your videos, thanks for putting them out. I've made my share of both edge and end grain coasters, and I gotta say that I have yet to find a finish that I think works "great". I even did an experiment with a bunch of coasters that I made (all end grain) and used 11 different finishes, ranging from Danish oil to spar urethane. My problem with the film finishes is that I find glasses/bottles stick to them when they sweat, which can get exciting when they then fall back onto the table with a loud bang. I like the oil finishes better because that seems to happen less, but it doesn't seem to eliminate the problem and they also aren't as durable. I've recently used a mineral oil/beeswax combo that I made for my cutting boards, and that one seems to work fairly well. I think the next one I'm going to try is no finish at all, see how that works. I imagine it will make them rougher over time, but it might eliminate the sticking problem. Anyway, not sure why I felt the need to leave this comment, it might have something to do with the bourbon glass currently sitting on my coaster with a Danish oil finish.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

I hear you! Guess it really depends on the preference of the recipient. A trade off with each approach.

[@gregariouswoodworks1270]

From your experience what do customers prefer natural oil or poly type top coat?

[@dcope3420]

Micha 6:8 is my all time favorite verse. It was brought to my heart the sane day God moved our family to become compassion sponsors!!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Great words to live by!

[@canadiangemstones7636]

So many religious loonies with so many little codes to recognize each other... weird.

[@rodolfomoraes3348]

Parabéns Man!! É um espetáculo seus trabalhos!! Um abraço do Brasil!! 👏👏✌️💪😋

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you! 🙏

[@supertruckerrolling]

AWESOME video and great ideas as I just started getting into cutting boards

[@bryangonzales4883]

Thanks for the great video. Love watching them.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback and support!

[@billymacmakes]

Perfect timing! I have so many beautiful scraps after finishing my Tetris board build (check it out 😜) and now I know what I'll make with them!! Thanks!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Awesome!

[@brandone7183]

Great Video! Love all the Seattle Gear!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Got to represent the PNW!

[@robertbankhead8661]

Thanks for the vid, like your taste in mixing exotics. Also the finish.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

You bet! Thank you.

[@joannamartin1003]

Great tutorial and tips! New sub, can’t wait to see more.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate it!

[@fcschoenthal]

With today's wood prices, coasters are a great way to use up scraps. You can even match them to the cutting boards for a bundle sale. - Chris

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Absolutely! Great way to maximize all the wood.

[@minamonier1984]

YOUVE DONE A GREAT JOB THEY LOOKS AMAZING I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION HOW CAN I PROTECT WOOD COASTERS FROM WATER MARKS PLEASE WHAT KIND OF SEALING I CAN USE THANX IN ADVANCE

[@franciscoayala1062]

Really cool. Thanks. Awesome. They are a nice gift. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@kyleguadagno8233]

Awesome video, very detailed explanation thank you!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@davidstivelman578]

Love this video, but the cross cuts at 8:20 gave me so much anxiety! I cut three fingers off last year due to kickback using almost that exact same technique. Using just the rip fence for cross cuts is asking for trouble. Cross cuts should always be supported by the miter gauge or a sled and the work piece should never be in contact with the fence when making a cross cut. To set up the repeatable cut, attach a stop block to the fence that stops before the blade, so that you can set the length, but by the time the wood makes contact with the blade, it is no longer in contact with the fence. If the fence is out of square by a fraction of a degree or if you're pushing the wood anything other than perfectly straight forward, or even if the vibration of the saw moves the wood a fraction of a millimeter and your grip isn't /perfect/, it'll pull your hand right into the blade. It's not worth the three surgeries, six months of physical therapy, $5500 in medical bills, and a lifetime of significantly limited use of your right hand, trust me.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

So many lousy woodworkers on YT, going to be responsible for so much pain.

[@bradmcnamar5679]

Great video. I just discovered your channel and videos and am already learning a lot. I'm a novice woodworker at best. One quick question, You are not using side grain for these, right? It looks like you are using the face grain, but zi wanted to make sure I was seeing things correctly. Thanks and thanks for the inspiration...Brad

[@scottallen606]

That sanding jig is money!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Works great!

[@sshizas6986]

Nice work mate.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Much appreciated!

[@GETTR2024]

Great job and project!!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@renoholland7090]

Great tips, thank you.

[@derekdodson9982]

Nick, another great video. One thought might be to create a combo of your smaller boards + coasters in the same pattern. Love the craftsmanship.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Absolutely! Love the matching sets!

[@NoLumberLeftBehind]

Just noticed you are a Seahawks fan. Instant sub!

[@jegster1962]

Great coaster vid! Thanks!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@ramonkarin9171]

Hi there, love your work! I have a question about sanding glued colored wood. How to avoid that the sanding dust of the light colored wood mix up with a darker one and visa versa? In particular the endgrain. Sometimes they mix up and even blend. Thanks for your answer!

[@j316finewoodworking6]

Hey those are very nice. Not sure if you're up for a tip or not.. coasters are one of my biggest sellers. This is just something ya should try sometime. A lot of coasters if you make face or edge grain you get problems with glasses sweating...coasters sticking...and picking up with glass. I have found all of mine are end grain treated with mineral oil...never sticks. Give it a shot. Glue up a block of scraps and cut with a chop saw. Multiple sets at once. And an 80 dollar disk and belt sander combo says no hand sanding. May be more now but I figure ya know what I'm talking about. If ya want to take a look at my coasters let me know. Just a tip. Give it a shot. Be surprised.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Love it. Definitely loads of options and styles. For me, I prefer making them every once in a while as gifts. But totally a great seller for those who go that route. The demand is always super high.

[@tmo6517]

Beautiful!

[@haroldaubry8344]

Great tutorial!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@mcnationprod]

I have the same planer, how did you attach your dust collector to it?

[@brianarnold9076]

Those look awesome! I wanted to try a project for fun. What kind of wood is best for a cutting board and where do you get yours? I live in south fl not to many spots

[@li.creationssales8600]

What kind of blade are you using for the table saw? Thank you

[@rashidtayidi1423]

Beautiful, refined yet efficient builds! May I ask what brand and size drum sander you are using? Thank you.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks! I use the Supermax 19-38 drum sander

[@rashidtayidi1423]

@@SixEightWoodworks Thank you.

[@wizardwingman3654]

Great tutorial, subscribed. The only constructive criticism I have is: wouldn’t it be easier and more efficient to final sand the face surfaces prior to cutting the coasters to size?

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it. Some do that with success. I just get nicks and scratches throughout the routing steps, and like to be able to sand after routing and hand sanding the edges. Totally a preference.

[@ringeradi]

Thanks for a great video, I picked up a couple of useful tips. I agree that you won't get paid well for the time, but if you have fun and you recoup the material cost for scraps, it might be worth it. You can also bundle it with cutting boards. Did you go edge grain? I think a coaster would be a great face grain project. Thanks!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Absolutely. I took a few years off from doing them after that big film finish batch. But they are fun and a great use of small pieces. These were edge grain, but I’ve definitely done face grain as well.

[@zackevans152]

I'm an ex-Seattleite ... Go Sounders ... Go Dawgs ... Go Hawks ... Go Mariners (

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Yeah! Hoping the M’s end this 20 year drought!

[@zackevans152]

@@SixEightWoodworks Back when, I've literally been to 100's of M's games and the only fan benefit to them having dismal win-loss records is the fact that we could buy cheap tickets and e able to sit anywhere we wanted. Those games were in the old 44-million dollar King Dome. Again...good video on coasters.

[@lpprocrastinator7445]

What would you recommend when trying to polyurethane both sides at the same time?

[@markmyers9855]

Wow very Nice I Like I want to make a cutting board I bought Odie's could i soak in Mineral oil then put the Odie's

[@SixEightWoodworks]

With Odie’s you usually just want to use it alone. Maybe a second coat. The mineral oil doesn’t really dry or evaporate. The tung oil in Odie’s is going to give that penetration that lasts longer. With that said, you’re probably fine if you did mineral oil first. Just not necessary. The wood whisperer has a great video on food safe finishes and talking about penetration, etc.

[@markmyers9855]

@@SixEightWoodworks Thank you so much we learn from people like you because u put your All into the job.

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Damn, you sure work fast!! Thank you for sharing your talent, and creativity with us. I was looking at large rolls of pre-cut cork for the bottom of a coaster for my next big batch. Have you ever used them and if so, do you know how they held up? Thanks again!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks. I’ve thought about the cork, but haven’t used it yet.

[@watcherdude1330]

Adding cork would just hide the beauty of the wood and not show your hard work

[@wanderingchopstick]

is a drum sander better than a planer when it comes to smoothing it out to get it the same thickness?

[@kandiecandelaria3134]

Very nice

[@joehuinker7009]

Make 7/8 thick and then relax. Double the coasters in half the time and alot less waste from planing they end up book matched too. Your sanding belts can b cleaned by soaking overnight in mineral spirits leaving coiled up. Stiff bristle brush clean. Let dry

[@darrenpilsbury6801]

Great video How long did you leave between coats? And does that technique (buffing pad) work with all osmo hard wax oils?

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks. Usually you need to wait about 24 hrs between coats. I usually do the first coat at night, and do the second sometime the next day. I’m not sure about other Osmo oils, I’ve only worked with 3054.

[@darrenpilsbury6801]

Thanks for the advice ill give it a go

[@BadgerRobot]

You need a Sounders sticker on there too!

[@Inlegzwords]

Where did you get the parallel clamps, thanks.

[@cecilefrancis4778]

Coaster are beautiful, are they for sale? I would love to place an order for 12 please.

[@scottbionicnerf8727]

I think coasters, cutting boards, hot pot coasters, charcuterie boards that match are a good idea.

[@traviswolszon1476]

Can I use HT 4x4s cut to 5/8 thick? I’m just getting into woodworking so please forgive me if it’s a rookie move

[@banditva8040]

What is the black colored wood you use.

[@Баркас-м8й]

Молодец парень! ✌

[@BuildDadBuild]

Great video! Good info. Subbed FO SHO! Cheers

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@creuzy]

What size chamfer do you use? Thank you

[@rogertyler3237]

Do You Get Uneven Coasters? I Made One & It Turned uneven When I Cut It On My Miter Saw. So I Might Need To Get Me Some 60 Grit To Even It Out.

[@vw_mods_4711]

Great video, thanks for sharing I never knew you could get coloured wood 🪵 I thought they were died when I’ve seen them in shops 🤪 now I can see how much work goes into something like that. Now to try find some coloured wood in the UK 🇬🇧 have only ever seen pine 🤣🤣 love those colours.

[@thechileacademy4800]

Awesome! Are these face, end, or edge grain coasters?

[@SixEightWoodworks]

These are mostly edge grain; however face grain works great too.

[@chriswalters5936]

hey my friend i had to get a new tablet a while back so i had to subscribe again just to let u know my friend. chris

[@karengray5755]

I have a few birch wood 4” coasters that have bowed very slightly. What is the best way to flatten them? They are 1/2” thick.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Not much material to work with. Usually I’d say attach them to a sled and run them through the drum sander or planer with thin passes. But you might lose them in the process. Only other option would be to get them wet and then clamp them all together so they dry flat. It might not work, but that’s my only other idea.

[@gregariouswoodworks1270]

From your experience what do customers prefer natural oil or poly type top coat?

[@SixEightWoodworks]

It’s such a mix. Really is a toss up, so I’d recommend to go with whatever finish you feel good about with the variables. I’m really happy with the Osmo Polyx with two coats. But again, then it doesn’t absorb. My family who have regularly used the oiled ones for four years love them. The exotics have darkened and they don’t look the same as they started. So trade offs…

[@lindalowney1404]

Beautiful

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@dakotabooker712]

What size router bits are you using I’m new to routing

Trabalho espetacular parabéns 💯👍

[@diegocapurso8320]

Hello, excellent work, I follow you from Argentina. I wanted to see what is the thickness of the cup supports? Thanks.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks! The coasters are about 1/2” thick. The bumpers to make them anti skid are here: amzn.to/33QVM5i

[@davejackson5989]

Good video! Go Hawks!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Go Hawks!

[@AdamAnderson864]

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!! 💚💙

[@Alexander_j1997]

Dumb question. Which way are you cutting? As in if i have a plank of lumber wether its pine,maple,walnut etc. Are you laying them flat and cutting the 5/8 for the thickness? Then laying THAT piece on its side and cutting them thinner if you want them as accent pieces? Not sure if that makes sense. But anything you can tell me helps. Thank you!

[@prestonbain6670]

I just made a batch and sanded before cutting to size then just had to hit the edges.

[@rubaszarate4902]

You're the number one, where do you get that wood?

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you. I talk about all the buying options here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imHEZKCmo71oea8

[@rubaszarate4902]

@@SixEightWoodworks thank you so much,God bless you.

[@sharkby7e]

I want the 22/23” wide coasters

[@dennisnick4939]

I see your from my hometown. Go Hawks!!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Go Hawks!

[@shmiggz]

What Osmo oil did you use? I have not seen it in purple like that...

[@SixEightWoodworks]

It’s Omso Polyx 3054

[@shmiggz]

@@SixEightWoodworks thanks

[@ChristianCMC]

What is the final thickness of the coasters?

[@herbertherbomoore415]

How many coasters do you sell per month?