Wood table has been sealed with about 1/4" of clear epoxy. Am wondering if the epoxy would just chip if I tried to shape the edge with a router.
2007-10-23 02:06:18 · 5 answers · asked by Tom W 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
-4'x4' square table
-unsightly epoxy edge because of weak dam
2007-10-23 02:51:23 · update #1
So just to add another detail...I am wanting to intentionally give a pretty thick epoxy surface a shape not so much the wood. From what I gather though this may not be a great idea risking a $40 router bit.
2007-10-23 04:31:55 · update #2
THANKS for all the replies!!!
2007-10-23 04:32:33 · update #3
Certainly the burning and chipping suggestions are possible; but that might be difficult to accomplish; depending on the shape of the table. Obviously free hand progressive routing to the flush edge of the table would be a challenge.
Given that you'll us NEW / Sharp / Proper bits; and that the router speed is in the 25,000 RPM range; It's possible you'll cause some melting no matter; or get a nice; clean cut you should likely polish or frame anyway.
I'm curious about the shape of the table and the method used to achieve 1/4 inch of epoxy. Did you frame the table with something acting as a DAM?
Steven Wolf
2007-10-23 02:24:28 · answer #1 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the epoxy was mixed and cured properly, it should be like a very dense plastic. With a high speed router, the cutting is more like filing, and the epoxy should not chip.
Do not rush or force the router through the material, until you get a feel for the speed necessary to make the cut without applying too much pushing force, but do not go so slow that you burn the epoxy.
If it gets too hot, it might melt, which would make a mess of the table and the router. Try a test cut on a small area to get the feel.
2007-10-23 02:22:00 · answer #2 · answered by JC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely, itwill chip and flake. the other challenge is that the epoxy will heat, melt, and adhere to your router bit! Goodbye Bit!!!
You need to sand the surface you are going to rout or shape, until you are at bare wood. If you are really careful, you can only sand the epoxy off the matrials being shaped! Feather the sanded edge into the rest of the epoxy finish. Shape the edge, then re epoxy the edge. You may have to do rhis in 5 or 6 coats, sanding between coats, and making sure the surface is very clean and dry!
This is really quite tricky. I usually recommend stripping the whole table. That way, after you are done shapeing, you refinish the table and get a uniform finish.
2007-10-23 04:23:54 · answer #3 · answered by Rawstuff 007 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to. If the table is square, use a straight board as a guide for your router. Don't take a lot off at one time, take it off in layers. This will help avoid chips. Remember that you will be removing the epoxy from the edge of the table so you will have to put something back on to protect the new edge you just put on. You can find an epoxy at Home Depot, Lowe's or one of those woodworking websites.
2007-10-23 03:06:03 · answer #4 · answered by Michael 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you cut away just a little at a time, you will be able to route the edge without chipping.
2007-10-23 02:11:52 · answer #5 · answered by dsgrieve 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,but just take off a little at a time.Make several passes.If you try to take off too much at a single pass it would probably tend to burn.
2007-10-23 02:14:29 · answer #6 · answered by peckerwud2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋