Wood slabs are available in various shapes, sizes, and wood species or types. Use slabs from hardwood such as walnut, birch, oak, etc. Not all wood species are suitable to build epoxy river tables. Some wood species contain too much oil while others are unstable. Contact local epoxy and wood slab suppliers in your area and ask for any recommendations on available wood species to use for these kinds of tables. It is important to select wood that is compatible with your epoxy project.
Once you have decided on a specific wood slab you will have to determine its moisture content. Avoiding this step will result in probable failure. This is due to changes in the form and size of the wood slab as it dries over time, even after the table is made. It may therefore bend, curl or warp and even tear away from the epoxy. The dryness of the slab is not a “thumb-suck” term or a phrase. It is a factor that needs to be measured as it refers to the percentage of water in the wood.
According to our experience and research, the moisture level in your wood slab needs to be between eight (8)% and twelve (12)%. Invest in a proper moisture meter to determine the moisture content of your wood slab. Our advice would be to buy the best one you can afford. Wood slabs with a high moisture content need to be dried in a kiln before the building process can start. This can take anywhere from three (3) to 12 (twelve) months, depending on the wood species. Canada and the US have many proper suppliers that can supply dry slabs directly to the client.
Comments