End Grain Coasters

In my efforts to clean up some of my scrap wood in the workshop, as well as my efforts to protect my coffee table from moisture rings, I made these handsome end grain coasters from various bits of scrap!

Step 1: Glue!

I used a waterproof wood glue to secure all of my scrap pieces together, in a pattern that I thought would look nice. I clamped it evenly and strongly and then left it to dry for about 4 hours.

Step 2: Reference Edge

I used an electric planer to flatten one side of my blank, so that it would lie flat against the fence of my mitre saw.

Step 3: True Up the Blank

I chopped of the very end of the blank so that the piece was perfectly square on the end.

Step 4: Cut the Coasters

I clamped a stop block to my fence so that the coasters would be the same thickness. I then cut out as many coasters as I wanted using the mitre saw.

Step 5: Finishing

I sanded all the coasters up to 240 grit, and then gave them all a couple of coats of boiled linseed oil.

Step 6: Felt Pads

I cut some squares out of a sheet of self adhesive felt, and stuck this on to the bottom of the coasters to stop them from scratching anything they are placed on.

Step 7: Done!

I now have a lovely set of coasters instead of a pile of scrap.

Thank you very much for reading!

-Shaun

Comments

[chrisagnew]

How well does the glue hold up?

[bobjacksonjr]

I just sanded the 2x4's and then used the ordinary Elmer's Wood glue to connect the scrap 2x4's then I cut the boards into 1/2 inch slices. Then while using a stationary belt sander several of the slices got away from me and landed on the concrete floor. None of the glued pieces came apart.

Bob

[ShaunM11]

It holds up really well so far!

[bobjacksonjr]

I love these things, but I only had ordinary 2x4's to play with and they looked rather boring. Then I cut them at a 45 degree angle instead of 90 degrees and the results were much better (or stranger) and for just pine that is definitely better.

[ShaunM11]

Thank you so much! I'd love to see a picture of what you made! :D

[bobjacksonjr]

This is two 2x4s glued together and then cut. One row (on the top) at 90 degrees the bottom row cut at 45 degrees. All cuts are 1/2 inch deep into the wood. The 45 degree row (bottom) shows the vertically stretched effect on the grain and is now 4.25 inches wide. The 90 degree cut is still 3 inches wide. If all was squared up first, glued and then plained it could make an interesting table top or even a complete box. The ends also leave a 45 degree angle making them easier to join (glue) together.
Staining these end pieces was impossible until I just gave up and used the Minwax 'natural 209' penetrating stain.
Bob

[ShaunM11]

Wow, those look great, I love that grain direction! Thanks for sharing :)

[bobjacksonjr]

I know about the 'be nice' thing but I have spent (wasted) a GD hour trying to get a reply and a picture sent. Now what??????
Bob

[bobjacksonjr]

This is two 2x4s glued together and then cut. One row (on the top) at 90 degrees the bottom row cut at 45 degrees. All cuts are 1/2 inch deep into the wood. The 45 degree row (bottom) shows the vertically stretched effect on the grain and is now 4.25 inches wide. The 90 degree cut is still 3 inches wide. If all was squared up first, glued and then plained it could make an interesting table top or even a complete box. The ends also leave a 45 degree angle making them easier to join (glue) together.
Staining these end pieces was impossible until I just gave up and used the Minwax 'natural 209' penetrating stain.
Bob

[DylanD581]

Cool coasters. I like the wood look. This would be fun to try with scrap wood.

[ShaunM11]

Thank you very much! :)

[BrandX01]

An excellent idea and outcome.

[ShaunM11]

Thank you!!

[JeffTR66]

How wide are your scrap pieces? Look about 2 inches?

[ShaunM11]

After measuring, they are 2 3/4 inches :)

[JeffTR66]

Cool - thank you. Great idea!

[ShaunM11]

Thanks very much!

[bobaleta]

Absolutely beats throwing everything into a kindling pile. Gotta do this! Thanks!

[ShaunM11]

Thanks!! If you make some, I'd love to see them!

[RCMadMatt]

So simple yet so cool and elegant! Nice work!