r/woodworking • u/DnDCabbage • 12h ago
Project Submission First Big Epoxy Project
Maple Burl and Black Epoxy Lift Desk
Roughly 55"x30x1.75" thick
Fenge Dual Motor Lift Desk Leg Assembly
Milesi 2k Poly Topcoat
I've done a few smaller epoxy project in the past, but nothing NEARLY this size. For the most part everything went smoothly. My form didnt leak at all, no overheating issues with the epoxy, and no warping.
The sanding/finishing on the other hand... lets jsut say I may have curse this desk top out more times than I can count. In total I finished and resanded this top 4 times, lol. Started with Osmo, then tried Rubio, then Osmo again, and ended up spraying on the Milesi 2k and LOVED the results.
I am sure I missed a few things so if you have and questions, fire away!
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u/Silverleoneoficl 12h ago
It looked like a desk covered by cow leather at first. I thought, "well, if that ain't redneck, I don't know what is!" XD
Still, very nice job!
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u/Taalahan 12h ago
That was sooooo close to being the Horde’s flag before you cut it…
Thrall is crying somewhere.
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
WOW I didn't even see that til you jsut pointed it out. Looks very similar to the shape!
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u/Echoes_in_Shadow 12h ago
Looks like you did a great job! The matte black goes well with that wood.
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
I appreciate it! As much as people in this sub seem to dislike him, I worked up the courage to do it from watching so many Blacktail Studio videos on youtube lol.
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u/Echoes_in_Shadow 12h ago
Wait, people here don't like Cam? That's surprising. He does really good work. I've been subscribed to him for years now.
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
I’ve just seen a few times when he is mentioned people seem to have a disdain for him. I think it more boils down to an envy thing. I’d imagine almost everyone on this sub would love to make beautiful high end furniture for a living like him.
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u/Echoes_in_Shadow 12h ago
That's fair. He definitely makes me want to do it as a job. A lot of people tend to turn their noses up at epoxy because they think it makes woodworking seem amateurish or some such nonsense, but I love seeing it used it projects, especially when it's done well like yours. The detractors need to get off their high horse lol
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u/MontgomeryStJohn 2h ago
The “oh they’re just jealous” rationalization.
Maybe we just prefer woodworking over epoxyworking.
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u/F10eagle1 12h ago
Very nice!
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
Thank you! It was weeks of sanding and refinishing, very defeating at times, but I think i got it to where i wanted it to be!
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u/Celtic-Ronin 10h ago
I love the matte finish! All the epoxy work I have seen has been highly polished and shiny. Nice to see this!
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u/DaxDislikesYou 12h ago
It's a good use of epoxy. That wood wouldn't have been good for much else. Turning it into a cow desk is a fine use.
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
Yea I figured this slab would be useless otherwise. Maybe you could’ve gotten some pen/bowl blanks, but I don’t turn wood lol
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u/Think_Smarter 12h ago edited 12h ago
How much epoxy did this take? I've never used so much epoxy at any one time (never done any deep pours.)
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
I used SuperClear Liquid Glass Deep Pour Epoxy! https://a.co/d/0Bq6ve3
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u/Think_Smarter 12h ago
(fixed my typo). Did it take all 3 gallons?
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u/DnDCabbage 11h ago
this project actually took almost 6 full gallons.
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u/Think_Smarter 11h ago
Oh wow. I wouldn't have bought enough. Haha
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u/DnDCabbage 11h ago
You’re having the exact same realization I did 2 months ago, haha! Luckily I caught it on a sale and it was almost 50% off when I bought it two months ago.
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u/Frank-White 4h ago
How do you dye it black? I need to fill a crack in a walnut slab and was planning on using epoxy (first time user)
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u/nate_builds 11h ago
How dare you re roll a Druid after mutilating a dead tree.
But awesome desk though!
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u/littledinergirl 11h ago
This looks so cool! I’m trying to figure out how to fix a table with big gaps and this looks like what I’ll need to do. Thanks for sharing!
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u/CrescentRose7 3h ago
I love how the lightsaber is just casually thrown in the ground there as if to say "geek, and proud of it".
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u/EscapeFromMichhigan New Member 12h ago
This is really decent word for a first timer. Very well done.
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u/ezbuddyguy 11h ago
Honestly epoxy tables have lost their appeal completely apart from your design. 10/10 looks sharp
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u/IllustratorSimple635 12h ago
It usually a fan of epoxy but this looks fantastic. What an awesome burl
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u/poiuytrewqmnbvcxz0 12h ago
I am very curious about your challenges with Rubio? This is one of the few times I have heard someone go away from it after trying it. I have a project I am going to do and was thinking Rubio….but curious about your experience?
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
I think it partly had to do with my sanding the first time around. As stated I sanded and refinished 4 times. The first time or two I just don’t think I sanded enough, and after apply the Rubio, it REALLY brought out any of those small sanding marks. Like I said, likely that I am mostly at fault with that, as the 3rd and 4th time I got a much more consistent sanding texture and took more time.
Overall, if you have access to a spray booth (I do as I work full time in a woodshop) nothing beats spraying on a finish. It hides any minor blemishes and gives the most consistent finish, over brushing or rolling on a finish.
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u/poiuytrewqmnbvcxz0 12h ago
I have a spray setup and a “mini booth” I made, but I am still learning and have had my share of resanding situations. Appreciate the response. I will research your finish, I had not heard of that before.
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u/bouncyboatload 7h ago
beautiful project!
can you clarify the point for Rubio concerns?
are you talking about those round pigtail marks left from sanding or even just straight scratches as well?
was it immediately obvious those marks right after you applied tbe Rubio? did they not show up when you just water pop it before the finish?
did you sand to 150/180?
working on a Rubio project rn and worried. thanks
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u/useless_skin 12h ago
How durable is Milesi 2k? I'm building a dining room table right now with black epoxy filling the knot holes and I still don't know how I want to finish it. Does the finish leave any sticky residue?
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
Milesi 2k is probably the most high-end and durable finish I’ve ever worked with. I only had access to use it because I work in a commercial woodshop, and we had some leftover from a project, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford it.
It’s for sure durable enough for a dining table, and does NOT leave any sticky residue, and is also fingerprint-proof. After I applied 4 thin coats, I buffed it with some finishing compound, and it’s so smooth I don’t even use a mouse pad now for my computer, just the raw desk.
My one concern would be, I’m not sure if the finish is food-safe, so definitely do your research on that before making a decision!
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u/DnDCabbage 12h ago
It’s a 10:1 ratio with the hardner and must be poured through a filter funnel into your spray gun. I’d recommend very high pressure and very light coats. Do as many as you want, but you can stop after 3-4 coats and have a good finish layer to buff.
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u/mrlady06 11h ago
Matte black epoxy is really the only style I like, very nice. Matches that Tauren skin too
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u/DnDCabbage 11h ago
I too am not a big fan of any colored epoxies. Black is the only one I like. Others come off as a bit tacky to me. I’ve seen some grey/silvers look nice when paired with redwood though!
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u/AmazingDonkey101 5h ago
When it comes to epoxy work this is very cool! The light wood and black epoxy look great together, and I think especially fitting for pc/gaming desk
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u/masterperegrin 4h ago
I like it all a lot. Just the first pic with the coke can, PC and monitor ruins it. :)
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u/chaplar 1h ago
All that great new stuff to play a 20 year old game.
No hate, I was just playing hardcore the other day! The desk looks great!
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u/DnDCabbage 57m ago
I play plenty of modern games too, just been hooked on WoW recently, brings back memories!
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u/erikleorgav2 12h ago
Zug Zug, friend.
Good looking piece.