Bottle Cap Table

[Cypher]

Hey guys,

I've used this site to build 1.5 mame machines (haven't finished the second yet)  and I figured who better to ask this question too.  I am now building a coffee table out of a few hundred beer caps.  The table is 3/4 birch plywood and the center has been routed down so that the caps are just under the top edge of the wood.  I want to encase them with some kind of resin to make a hard, clear table top.  I've heard that envirotex lite is a good solution.  Does anyone know anything about that stuff or have any other suggestions?  I basically want something that I can pour in that will create a hard clear top.  Any suggestions are welcome. 

Thanks

[sodapopinski]

my buddy used a grout with a sealant on his beer cap table. clear encasement would probably look better though.

[moriartyds]

Try a search on liquid fiberglass or fiberglass epoxy.

You can also read this thread: http://www.woodworking.com/dcforum/dcboard.pl?az=read_count&om=1723&forum=DCForumID7 where someone mentions this product:  http://www.shopmaninc.com/kk121.html

[spiffykyle]

Some of my fraternity brothers did this exact thing for their bar top. Be sure to glue the bottle caps down first so they don't move when you pour in the epoxy. That epoxy resin looks like a good choice, just make sure you mix it exactly as the directions say.

And make sure you get enough of it to fill in the top of the table. Their first try they didn't have enough and it made a clear mound in the middle of the bar top instead of a nice coating. Had to start all over, including collecting more bottle caps.

I have to say when it was done, I was amazed. That bar is still in the fraternity house after almost a decade of abuse.

[ScottS]

What you want is a pour-on, self-leveling 2-part epoxy finish. Woodcraft.com sells a product made by System3 called "Mirror Coat" that is exactly what you want. Envirotex is a similar product.

I'd be a bit cautious about buying a generic 2-part epoxy or fiberglass resin. Many of these seem to have a yellow or amber tint, which may not be what you want. They may also be thick enough that they won't self-level. Check with your local fiberglass shop (TAP Plastics, in my area) or boat builder supply (e.g. West Marine) as they often carry epoxy products. You might also google for "bar top finish" or something similar.

[Mattiekrome]

Wow, wish I had tried the epoxy when I made mine back in college.  I went with bathroom tub/tile caulk... IT SUCKED!  Sounds like epoxy is the way to go

[Rusty]

I'll second the Kleer Koat epoxy.  I found it while doing a bar top with a friend and it worked great.  Its also not terribly expensive (as far as epoxy goes).

[Cypher]

Hey guys, thanks for the input.  I'm almost to the point where I need to buy the stuff now and you all have given me a lot of great choices.  I thought I would post pictures of what I have so far.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/99514281@N00/sets/72157594526212169/     

There's also pictures of my finished (as finished as one can be ) arcade machine and my second tabletop arcade project underconstruction