pecan table top

oldc6 · Post by **oldc6** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:05 pm

A buddy of mine had a question today. He is a trucker and has access to bags of pecans shells. He had a wild idea to make a table top out or these.
Idea is to mix them with glue and spread out for tabletop and then sand down........ I told him i had no experience with such a project. Throw it out on this board to see if anybody has ever done such a thing. It sounds like a project that would be over my head but, if anyone has experience let me know. Thanks

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:45 pm

seems like you could suspend them in acrylic, similar to how pen blanks are done.

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:45 pm

Could be done. There are epoxyies that cure with things imbedded in them. One is the type that cures and is used for pours over 1/8 inch. Then there are pours like envirotex lite which is for 1/8 inch or less. I believe the pour epoxy he needs is a casting epoxy. I poured one once. It cures rock hard and can then be worked but, of course, you must follow the instructions to the letter. I don't have the mix in the garage anymore but what he hopes to do is possible.

anmius · Post by **anmius** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:02 am

Sounds like those restaurant table tops that were solid plastic with things like menus and local items. Haven't seen them in years but I'm sure the plastic that was used is still available somewhere.

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:03 pm

Exactly the same thing. You just need the right epoxy for the depth of pour. It does take prep, like do you want to see all the way through? Then you pour the whole thing over a sheet of plexi...Or if it doesn't matter, then over something else. Just like making concrete pavers, create a form etc.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 3:11 pm

Here's a good starting point for information on clear acrylic casting resin -- http://alumilite.com/

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 3:18 pm

I actually have seen pecan shells used in a number of ways
One is there are ground and compressed and was used to make a product like MDF sheet stock.

Another is embed the shell in epoxy and when it dries grind the surface down flat and then top coat it. Depending on the density of pecan shells different looks can be achieved. Exact procedures determine the effect. Use your imagination.

Here is a few links to other ideas.
http://boingboing.net/2011/04/06/3d-pri ... h-woo.html
http://www.artmolds.com/pdf/awoodcasting1.pdf

Pecan shells also are used for mulch, cattle roughage, smoke flavoring for BarBQ