Have a tree diagram limb that needs bump off ? Do n’t just toss that Natalie Wood away ! Instead , use wood slice to create a solidifying of beautiful , one - of - a - variety DIY coaster ! These wooden coasters will quickly become a conversation piece at any gathering … while also protecting your furniture from weewee rings and spillway . Here ’s how to make a set of your own .
Sometimes the most beautiful DIYs are the simplest ones . Case in point ? Making a set of branch coasters from a decrease tree willallow the beauty of that Grant Wood to live on and tell apart the tale in its rings .
When you are out pruning and bring down back the garden , take a look at what you are about to throw in the wood chipper or firewood pile . Wood slices can be flex into many things , but my all - time favourite is these branch coasters that I made a few years back .
You want slices that are about 1/2″ thick.
I ’ve had my cedar tree coasters now for almost 4 yearsand have had plenitude of query on the practicality of them . I ’ve update this original article , with some FAQs at the goal of the DIY instructions . In forgetful ? I still love and use them daily !
This post will cover …
How to Make DIY Branch Coasters
It was a distressing day when the largest , previous tree on my street was hacked down and unceremoniously chucked into construction waste bins . The 50 ’ Western Red Cedarstill had a pot of good years bequeath but get in the way of developers ’ buck signs , and no amount of reasoning could sway them .
neighbor came to say goodbye , walk through the wreckage and gather a souvenir or two ; tears were drop . It ’s amazing the impact a tree diagram can have and the immensity of the signified of loss for one treated with so piffling deference .
I compile a few thick branches to sprain into lot of coasters that I also passed on to neighbours who think back their Kyd climbing those same limbs many , many years ago .
Even if you do n’t have as personal of a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree narration , you could still make these Ellen Price Wood - slash coaster . Next time you see a tree trimming gang at work , ask the rest home ’s owner if you may have a branch for a project — chances are , they will have no job present you with a branch or two .
The labor is simple but it will take some prison term to cut and sandpaper each while . The more time you spend getting them proper , the nicer the last product will be .
Materials
Make it
1 . Using the saw , shorten sections of ramification that are½ ” thick .
2 . Sand each section with sullen grit sandpaper , and then utilize a finer gumption to shine out the aerofoil . Do not sand the barque on the edges .
3 . cake the front , back , and sides withclear varnishand permit dry . Untreated wood can also look beautiful as it absorbs the drips and condensation from the glasses that baby-sit on it .
4 . They ’re as simple as that on the surface , but I ’ve gotten many questions about how to make these . I ’ve answer many of them in theFAQ section below .
While the Ellen Price Wood grain is beautiful on its own , you may feel like adding an extra special touch . Aninexpensive Ellen Price Wood burner , a number of time , and creativeness are all you involve to make designs such as these .
Seehow to make Grant Wood - burn coasters in this stake .
Another great pick is to call on them intoChristmas tree decoration . I made these ones and attend them up both inside and outdoors .
FAQ About These DIY Coasters
I dried the Sir Henry Wood easy in a nerveless , ironic room before cutting the coasters . dry out in a room that has confine wet and heat allows the woodwind to dry out slow and helps to prevent cracking . It take many months as I put them in the basement in the fall and pulled them out the following year . I test to see if the wood was ironic but cutting an conclusion section . Even with this process , a few cracked . I discarded those as I had plenitude more to work with . I ca n’t give an exact number of months to dry the wood for because it could take you more or less clip reckon on how plastered the wood is , how new it is , and the expanse that you dry it in . The good method is to dry it until it is dry when you cut into it . Test and if it needs more time , then impart it for recollective .
I usedVarathane exonerated satin varnish . The varnish was pronounce as clear , but it does have a honey colouration in the can . It made the final coasters see a lilliputian dark than the dry wood ( like wet wood ) , which I expected and like .
No . Perhaps a unlike form of wood could leak out sap . But I dried the wood good and have never seen one drop curtain of sap in 4 age of using them .
The bark stick around on due to the type of wood , Western Red Cedar . I was careful to not pull it off but it is somewhat tough . I did varnish the sides around the barque as well .
When sanded , they are smooth , so they wo n’t scratch anything , and they are varnished and ironical , so they do n’t stain . You certainly could put felt or little feet on them if you take , though .
Of course , you could keep and enjoy them for long time at home , as I have . However , if you have extras , these make a adorable gift ! Consider gift a set of these coaster along with a mug anda set of teaorartisan coffee .
More Garden Crafts to Try
DIY Coasters from Wood Slices
Equipment
Supplies
Instructions
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