Woodworking - Reusable Mold For Charcuterie River Boards

I make a lot of charcuterie boards (serving boards) with resin rivers because they make great gifts. The worst part is building molds because they typically can’t be re-used. And, I’m a systems/processes guy, so I’m always asking if there’s a way to create a system that will simply things and speed stuff up.
So, this is my first experiment with using a flexible rubber epoxy to create a reusable mold for charcuterie boards. Definitely learned a couple of things that will make the next one better but, bottom line...it works! I’ve already made a couple of boards since recording this video and the process is much faster.
Thanks for liking, commenting and subscribing!
Materials Used:
// Mesquite wood
// Pourable Plastic Epoxy Resin (river)
// Enduro Flex Polyurethane Casting Rubber (mold)
// TotalBoat 1:1 Epoxy Resin (topcoat)

[@sonoffergus2023]

Wow. You nailed it! What a great idea!

[@aaronjanssen6183]

So was the fluid thick enough that your insert board "floated" on top to leave the gap, or did you let it cure first and then do a second pour with the insert in?

[@derekdodson9982]

Well done! Trying to reuse melamine or plywood molds is a pain. Good solution. Question. I'm curious why start with 80 grit after the boards come off the planer. Doesn't your planer leave the surface smooth enough to skip a grit or two? Thanks.

[@CASWoodcraft]

I need to change the blades out. I have a couple of small nicks in the blade that leave a very small ridge. The 80 grit makes quick work of it.

[@MrBowlbug]

Nice job, great idea. But I would like to know how you finished the sides of your board so nicely.

[@Mikecloudo999]

Have you considered making a coffee table or dining table size mold? That's the only thing in my mind for past 2 days. Quite stuck with the decision coz I have never seen anyone make that big mould and that makes me think there must be some cons I can't foresee.

[@CASWoodcraft]

it would be pretty expensive as the mold material isn’t cheap. you would have to make several tables from the mold to justify the expense

[@loveandlight7659]

So if you were to do a kitchen table, what could you use as a mold then

[@pascaldelefosse5425]

Good idea and nice result!! Well done 👍👍👍

[@FennahMakes]

Wow that’s a great reusable mold!! Think I am going to make one myself! Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@CASWoodcraft]

I’ve since discovered that pourable rubber makes for a better mold material. It’s a little more flexible and less reliant on the mold release spray. I use this: www.amazon.com/Smooth-Silicone-Making-OOMOO-30/dp/B004BNF3TK/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=pourable+rubber&qid=1609080595&sr=8-5

[@Originaldrocks361]

Just saved this video! Great idea

[@CASWoodcraft]

I’ve since discovered that pourable rubber makes for a better mold material. It’s a little more flexible and less reliant on the mold release spray. I use this: www.amazon.com/Smooth-Silicone-Making-OOMOO-30/dp/B004BNF3TK/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=pourable+rubber&qid=1609080595&sr=8-5

[@thomasherlihy8670]

Great result! What is the material that you used for the topcoat? And has the mold been working well since you finished this video? We’re you able to reuse the melamine boards for more than one board in the past? Thanks!

[@richardbaynes3862]

So it's 15 months later, are you still having good luck with the Smooth-On molds? Thanks

[@CASWoodcraft]

No. I found that this particular brand of rubber got too hard over time. I’ve started using another brand now: www.amazon.com/Smooth-Silicone-Making-OOMOO-30/dp/B07P89QZJ1/ref=sr_1_11?crid=1S6TBETCX79WD&keywords=Liquid+rubber&qid=1642263089&sprefix=liquid+rubbe%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-11

[@lumanation2032]

you took that plank all the way to 1000 grit just to pour epoxy on?

[@CASWoodcraft]

Yes I did. It was one of my first river boards, so I was overzealous. However, I have found that sanding to a very high grit can be useful as it doesn’t give the epoxy much to stick to and therefore allows for easy removal of the excess epoxy that comes over the river channel. But these days I mostly just spray some lacquer on the parts I don’t want to allow epoxy to penetrate.

[@ookiee1]

Where did you get your rubber from and how much did it take to do yours? Thanks!

[@CASWoodcraft]

I found it on Amazon. Took one container. the product name is in the video description.

[@Popsjcb]

Would you provide a link to the material that you used for the flexible mound? Very helpful video and beautiful end product!

[@CASWoodcraft]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VSHVMVG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@billrobinson8939]

Page not found on Amazon!

[@robertgarza5327]

Do you make any money with the wood?

[@CASWoodcraft]

I’ve gotten to the point where I’m making a very small profit each month. Between ad revenue on KZbin, sales in my Etsy shop, and the fact that I shouldn’t need to buy any expensive equipment this next year, I think I’ll turn a profit in 2021. Couldn’t live on it, of course, but that was never the goal for me.

[@tjerkheringa937]

No facemask? No repirator? No ventilation and no gloves? Liquid epoxy resins in their uncured state are mostly classed as irritant to the eyes and skin, as well as toxic to aquatic organisms.[54] Solid epoxy resins are generally safer than liquid epoxy resins, and many are classified non-hazardous materials. One particular risk associated with epoxy resins is sensitization. The risk has been shown to be more pronounced in epoxy resins containing low molecular weight epoxy diluents.[55] Exposure to epoxy resins can, over time, induce an allergic reaction. Sensitization generally occurs due to repeated exposure (e.g. through poor working hygiene or lack of protective equipment) over a long period of time. Allergic reaction sometimes occurs at a time which is delayed several days from the exposure. Allergic reaction is often visible in the form of dermatitis, particularly in areas where the exposure has been highest (commonly hands and forearms). Epoxy use is a main source of occupational asthma among users of plastics.[56] Safe disposal also needs considering but usually involves deliberate curing to produce solid rather than liquid waste.[57]