River Table NZ — How to Make an Epoxy River Table (2026)

The epoxy river table is the showpiece of resin art. A live-edge timber slab with a crystal-clear (or coloured) resin river flowing through the centre. Here's how to make one.

What You Need

• Live-edge timber slab — Split or with a natural gap. Macrocarpa, rimu, and swamp kauri are popular NZ choices
• Deep pour casting resin — Crystal clear or tinted. You'll need litres, not millilitres
• Mould/form — Melamine board sealed with silicone or release tape
• Pigments — If you want a coloured river (blue, turquoise, green are popular)
• Sanding supplies — 80 through 3000 grit for a glass finish
• Router/planer — To flatten the finished piece
• Legs — Hairpin, steel, or timber

Step-by-Step Process

1. Prepare the Timber

• Dry your slab to 8-12% moisture content
• Remove loose bark and clean the edges
• Seal any knots or cracks with thin resin first (seal coat)
• Sand to 120 grit

2. Build the Mould

• Use melamine board (resin won't stick to it)
• Seal all edges with silicone or use release tape
• Make it 5-10mm taller than your slab
• Level the mould — this is critical

3. Pour the Resin

• Mix your deep pour resin according to instructions
• Add pigments if desired
• Pour in layers if deeper than your resin's maximum pour depth
• Use a heat gun to pop surface bubbles
• Wait 24-72 hours between pours

4. Demould and Flatten

• Remove the mould after full cure (usually 72+ hours for the final pour)
• Run through a planer or use a router sled to flatten both sides

5. Sand and Finish

• Start at 80 grit, work up to 400 for timber
• For resin: continue to 800, 1500, 3000 grit for a mirror finish
• Apply a clear coating resin flood coat for ultimate gloss
• Or use oil/varnish for a more natural timber look

Our Recommended Products

• Ultra Deep Pour Resin — Up to 13cm per pour
• Crystal Clear Casting Resin — Classic water-clear finish
• Mica powders & pigments — Ocean blue, emerald, pearl white
• Release tape — For easy mould building
• Sandpaper packs — Full grit range

Shop River Table Supplies at Action Outdoors

Browse: Resin Art NZ. Call 09 820 8023.