Epoxy River Breakfast-Tray

We started by sorting them out and choosing the ones that would fit into our river table.

We purchased a slice of East Indian Rosewood (also known as Sheesham Wood).

All types of Rosewoods are strong and heavy. They come in many different hues, each in it's on unique way.

We cut it in the middle and trimmed the edges.

We measured the contained box of the table and bought 1 gallon of a 1:1 ratio Epoxy.

Most of the common Epoxies come in a 1:2 ratio, but we wanted to try something else.

From our experience, the 1:2 ratios cure slower but is easier to mix and cost effective.

We build a mixing head from a wire to be used with our drill, and we used it to stir and mix the two components together.

We built a mold, out of white acrylic sheet and placed it on a sliced wood. That wood used to be our workshop table.

We had to make sure the mold is completely sealed. Normally we use duct tape, but in this project we used black wallpaper because it can to cover more surface.

We poured a thin layer (about 1~1.5״) of Epoxy. The thin layer is to set the woods as we desire, and afterward to make the rocks looks as if they’re floating.

Since the wood is lighter than the Epoxy, we had to keep if from rising up. We used our hand weights for that. We covered them in Nylon wrap. 

When the Epoxy partly cured, we placed the marbles and stones into our "river". Then, we filled it to the top with the second layer.

We waited 24 hours for the Epoxy to cure completely. We had to use a hammer and a wedge to demold it.

The wallpaper gave it a nice water-looking touch at the bottom. However there were parts where it made the Epoxy difficult to cure. Overall we do not recommend using the wallpaper instead of a duct tape. Sure, it was easier to install, but much more difficult to sand and de-mold.

We sanded the Epoxy to make it smoother and level. When you sand Epoxy it loses it's transparency and becomes opaque.

To make it shine again we poured another thin layer of Epoxy on it (with a brush and our index finger in a glove)

Meanwhile, we built the legs of the table.

We used square Steel beams and welded it into a "C" shape.

We like the metallic look & feel and the way it matches the Epoxy and marbles, however it can easily be replaced with a strong wood.

Selfie time in the workshop!

Before assembling the table-top to the legs, this is an important step, like anything in the handmade work we re-measured everything because things might change.

When we were pleased we spray painted the legs black for a nice finish and to protect the steel from corrosion.

The finished product!

Breakfast in bed anyone?