byegge Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Hi there, I'm about to start a table about 36" round with some epoxy inlays and have a few questions. How deep do I need to route out for the epoxy, 1/8 in or is that not enough. Also was thinking about staining the wood because it's basically made from different scraps from the shop. Should I sand of the epoxy flat then stain. Will the epoxy take the stain color. Also what kind of epoxy should I get and dye as well. Thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 What inlay material are you using? Just filling with epoxy, or using epoxy as adhesive for other materials? For epoxy fills, 1/8" is probably good, assuming the surface is already at final dimension. Google 'inlace' to source a reliable filler for whatever color you want. If using epoxy as adhesive for other inlay materials, its a good idea to add some color that blends with the background material to disguise any gaps. A card sraper is your friend. Cured epoxy should not absorb wood stain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 59 minutes ago, byegge said: Hi there, I'm about to start a table about 36" round with some epoxy inlays and have a few questions. How deep do I need to route out for the epoxy, 1/8 in or is that not enough. Also was thinking about staining the wood because it's basically made from different scraps from the shop. Should I sand of the epoxy flat then stain. Will the epoxy take the stain color. Also what kind of epoxy should I get and dye as well. Thank you in advance. If you're going to stain, suggest a coat of shellac first to prevent blotching and doing it before epoxy. The epoxy will not take the stain. 1/8 is deep enough if that's all you want. I like West Systems epoxy. A bit more expensive but, it works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byegge Posted December 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 I will have to belt sand down the epoxy though, right. Won't this remove the stain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 I'm assuming that you'll want stain in the bottoms of your inlays? When you put the epoxy in, be sure the piece is completely level and don't over fill by much. A belt sander would not be my first choice for leveling the dried epoxy. A card scraper would leave a cleaner surface where the belt sander could leave some deep scratches as well as mar up all the adjacent areas, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 +1 on the card scraper followed by sanding with a ROS or by hand. I don't find epoxy that hard to sand and it scrapes well. I usually fill small knots after I have sanded through 120 grit to avoid the deep scratches mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Hi there, I'm about to start a table about 36" round with some epoxy inlays and have a few questions. How deep do I need to route out for the epoxy, 1/8 in or is that not enough. Also was thinking about staining the wood because it's basically made from different scraps from the shop. Should I sand of the epoxy flat then stain. Will the epoxy take the stain color. Also what kind of epoxy should I get and dye as well. Thank you in advance. I just did this the week before Christmas. It turned out awesome!!! Here is my advice (assuming you are just filling with epoxy): ⅛" is deep enough if your table is already to its final thickness. West System Epoxy is awesome but expensive. I used Art Resin on mine because it is made for Art so it comes out extremely clear and is food safe. I used mine on a pizza peel. If you want to tint use Transtint liquid dye. Level your epoxy with a card or cabinet scrapper then sand with a ROS up to 240 or 320 Stain after you apply epoxy and level or you will screw up your stain and cured epoxy won't absorb stain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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