Carve the pocket, then add color
Carve the pocket, then add epoxy that suits the material and the finished piece.
Cutting Board Epoxy Inlayby Frank Graffagnino
Bessey Clamp Racks with Epoxy Logoby Steve Moseley
Geode Slices (3 sizes)by Evan and KatelynStart with the job the epoxy has to do
Epoxy works best when it has a clear job. It can fill a carved line, add color to a shop fixture, or turn a CNC-cut base into layered wall art. The carving still has to leave a clean shape at the right depth, and the pour still needs careful preparation.
Choose the finished use first. That decision affects the wood, pocket depth, bit, resin, pigment, cure time, sanding plan, and final finish. The three projects below show different approaches without pretending that one setup fits every pour.
Real projects from the Easel gallery
Each project has a working preview and copy path. Open one to inspect the design, then adapt the size, material, tooling, and resin process for your own shop.
Cutting Board Epoxy Inlayby Frank GraffagninoA hard-maple board with a shallow state-outline pocket filled with dark epoxy. The maker recommends testing the carve in inexpensive stock and using a reliable center zero when rounded edges make corner zeroing difficult.
Bessey Clamp Racks with Epoxy Logoby Steve MoseleyWorkshop storage cut from Baltic birch plywood, with straight-bit logo pockets filled with tinted epoxy. The build covers sealing, pouring, assembly, and hanging the loaded racks securely.
Geode Slices (3 sizes)by Evan and KatelynThree CNC-cut plywood or MDF bases finished as colorful resin wall pieces. The shared Easel file provides the shapes; the makers recommend practicing the resin process on a smaller piece first.
Before you cut or pour
A narrow line can follow an on-path cut, while a wider inlay needs a pocket. Check the smallest detail against the bit diameter, and make a scrap test before carving the final stock.
Tint can move through open grain and plywood pores. Seal the surrounding surface when the build calls for it, keep glue surfaces clean, and follow the resin maker's instructions for compatible sealers and colorants.
Use the mixing ratio, working time, cure schedule, ventilation, gloves, eye protection, and temperature range specified by the resin manufacturer. Do not assume a cured project is suitable for food contact unless every resin, pigment, finish, and intended use is covered by current product documentation.
Plan how you will contain the pour and level the cured surface. Sanding can expose fresh epoxy dust, so use dust collection and the protective equipment recommended for the material, then apply a finish suited to where the project will live.
Start with a real community design, adapt the pocket or base for your material, and prepare the carve in Easel before you mix the epoxy.
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