How To Make Wood Discs

Accept a tree limb that needs removing? Don't only toss that wood away! Instead, use forest slices to create a set up of beautiful, i-of-a-kind DIY coasters! These wooden coasters will apace become a chat piece at whatsoever gathering…while as well protecting your furniture from h2o rings and spills. Here'due south how to make a gear up of your ain.

Sometimes the most beautiful DIYs are the simplest ones. Case in point? Making a set of co-operative coasters from a fallen tree volition allow the beauty of that forest to alive on and tell the story in its rings.

When you are out pruning and cutting back the garden, take a look at what yous are about to throw in the forest chipper or firewood pile. Wood slices can be turned into many things, but my all-fourth dimension favorite is these branch coasters that I made dorsum in 2012.

I've had my cedar coasters now for most 4 years and take had plenty of questions on the practicality of them. I've updated this original article, with some FAQs at the end of the DIY instructions. In short? I all the same beloved and employ them daily!

DIY Co-operative Coasters

Information technology was a sad day when the largest, oldest tree on my street was hacked down and unceremoniously chucked into construction waste bins. The 50' Western Red Cedar all the same had a lot of good years left, but got in the way of developers' dollar signs and no amount of reasoning could sway them.

Neighbors came to say good day, walking through the wreckage, collecting a memento or two; tears were shed. It'south amazing the touch a tree can take and the immensity of the sense of loss for one treated with and so little respect.

I collected a few thick branches to plow into sets of coasters that I will laissez passer on to neighbors who remember their kids climbing those same limbs many, many years ago.

Fifty-fifty if you don't have equally personal of a tree story, you can still make these wood slice coasters. Next fourth dimension you lot see a tree trimming crew at work, inquire the home's owner if yous tin have a branch for a project—chances are, they volition have no problem gifting y'all with a branch or two.

The project is simple just it will have some fourth dimension to cut and sand each slice. The more time y'all spend getting them right, the nicer the last product will be.

Materials:

Straight branches that are no smaller than 3.5" in diameter
Hand saw
Sandpaper
Clear Varnish

Brand it!

1. Using the saw, cut sections of branches that are ½" thick.

2. Sand each section with heavy dust sandpaper, so use a finer grit to smooth out the surface. Practice not sand the bawl on the edges.

three. Coat front, back, and sides with clear varnish and let dry. Untreated wood can besides look cute every bit it absorbs the drips and condensation from the glasses that sit on information technology.

Optional: Add Designs with Wood Called-for

While the wood grain is beautiful on its ain, you may feel similar adding an actress special affect. An cheap wood burner, a flake of time, and inventiveness are all you demand to create designs such as these.

See how to make wood-burned coasters in this post.

FAQ About These DIY Coasters

Equally I mentioned in a higher place, I've gotten a lot of questions about these wooden coasters since creating this project years ago. I did my best to answer the most frequently asked ones here, but if you have ane that'southward not addressed, please get out information technology in the comments below!

How do you dry the wood? How do you keep them from cracking?

I dried the woods slowly in a cool, dry out room earlier cut the coasters. Drying in a room that has express wet and heat allows the woods to dry slowly and helps to prevent groovy. It took many months as I put them in the basement in the autumn and pulled them out the following year. I tested to see if the wood was dry merely cutting an finish section. Even with this process, a few croaky. I discarded those as I had plenty more to work with.

I can't give an exact number of months to dry the wood for because it could take yous more or less fourth dimension depending on how moisture the forest is, how fresh it is, and the expanse that you lot dry it in. The best method is to dry out information technology until it is dry when y'all cut into it. Examination and if it needs more than time, so leave information technology for longer.

What varnish/stain did you use?

I used Varathane clear satin varnish. The varnish was labeled as clear, but it does have a dearest color in the tin can. It made the final coasters expect a little darker than the dry forest (like wet wood), which I expected and like.

Don't they leak sap?

No. Possibly a different kind of forest could leak sap. Simply I dried the forest thoroughly and accept never seen one drop of sap in 4 years of using them.

How did y'all keep the bark on the outer edges?

The bark stayed on due to the blazon of wood, Western Red Cedar. I was conscientious to not pull it off just it is pretty sturdy. I did varnish the sides around the bawl as well.

Did you lot gum felt or anything to keep the coaster from marking the furniture?

When sanded they are shine so won't scratch anything, and they are varnished and dry then they don't stain. You certainly could put felt or piddling feet on them if you lot choose, though.

What can I do with these wooden coasters?

Of course, you tin keep and savor them for years at home, equally I have. However, if you accept extras, these make a lovely gift! Consider gifting a set of these coasters along with a mug and a set of tea or artisan java.

Any more advice?

There are plenty more ideas and tips in the comments department. Have a read over information technology and delight chime in if you lot have whatever advice to share!

More Garden Crafts to Try:

DIY Beaded Suncatcher Mobile
Rosemary Pressed Herb Candles
Crafting with Air Plants and Wire
Creative Upcycling with DIY Magnets

DIY Coasters from Wood Slices

Learn how to brand your own stunning DIY coasters from forest slices. If you have a fallen tree, this is the best way to preserve and enjoy the grain for years to come!

hand saw

branches should exist directly and at least 3.5" in diameter
sandpaper heavy dust + fine grit
articulate varnish optional, just recommended

Slice branches into one/two" thick pieces with the handsaw. Try to keep the slices equally even and direct equally possible.
Sand each wood piece downwardly using the heavy dust paper first, and so the fine grit to smooth it out. Don't sand the bark.
Wipe make clean, then coat the front, back, and sides with a clear varnish. This is optional, but tin can prolong the life of the wooden coaster.

Source: https://gardentherapy.ca/natural-branch-coasters/

Posted by: cortezfacces1985.blogspot.com