or, how I spent my Q20 vacation.

No one loves more than me to pore over nautical charts. Such incredible detail, artwork, and colorful masterpieces! Since we live (mostly) in an E world, I tend to review my laminated charts or E charts/software. Since Casco Bay is home base for me, I decided to find a way to display a chart of the area, and took on the challenge of epoxy tabletop finish. An ugly dark brown coffee table was a suitable choice. Here is the step-by-step eezy-peezy project:

1. Fill in any divots, especially the flat top, with dry-patch, dry, then sand.

2. Paint table color of choice. We used basic white, spray paint.

3.Determine area of chart you want displayed, then trim to include 3" around all edges.

           

 

4. Apply adhesive, carefully position chart (Lat/Long lines parallel to table edges), then flatten with laminate roller.

 

5. Allow to dry, then trim edges.

 

6. Cover any undersides of table that may be exposed to drips, then apply warmed, thoroughly-mixed epoxy, per directions.

 

7. Allow to cure, and Bob's your uncle!

              

 

Remember to save unused portions of chart to make coasters, clock face, mirror frame, key chain, etc, using the same epoxy method.

 

Not only do you love to pore over charts, you obviously also love to pour over charts. Very nice job!

What can be better than poring over poured over charts? 

 

Gary,

Nice job!  You've given me some ideas as I'm running out of wall space.

Any tricks to keeping the edges clean and relatively neat as you poured over the edge of the chart /table?

In case anyone else was wondering...

https://www.google.com/search?q=bob's+your+uncle+meaning&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS835US835&oq=bobs+y&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i10i457j0l3j0i10.8482j0j7&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

Very nice job!

 

 

 

6 hours ago, David M said:

Any tricks to keeping the edges clean and relatively neat as you poured over the edge of the chart /table?

On these tabletop projects, expect the edges to be coated. In fact, in the early stages, I'd recommend coating the edges with a foam brush. After ~1/2h, when the goo has started to set, take your foam brush and sweep excess (bottom edge) goo to the underside of the table. Another option would be to add molding around the edges to create a tray table, where the epoxy would remain on the top, and, effectively, create a waterproof reservoir (think backyard ice rink project)

Gary...you clever sausage, you...!  ?

9 hours ago, Pintail said:

...you clever sausage, you...!  ?

I'm hesitant to look up the meaning in the British slang dictionary!

 

Well, Gary, I think you'll find that not much is there, except for rather <silly> or lame interpretations -- in <my> experience, it is a rather charming, even affectionate address, meaning "Oh, you clever thing"!  It is an amusing one, quite common back when I was a schoolboy (that's a long time ago) and always seems to arouse mirth when heard by Americans (that's you lot!) -- I do use it at work sometimes...

At the end of the trip I bought the charts for my Norway paddle, intending to use them for wall paper, but I have never figured out how to do that. Any ideas?

Of course now they have been rolled up for many years and would have to be flattened. 

Liz

2 hours ago, eneumeier said:

...... charts ............... to use them for wall paper, but I have never figured out how to do that. Any ideas?

Liz

https://www.remodelaholic.com/diy-nautical-map-wallpaper/

 

 

thanks. I'll look into it. Likely would require 2 people for the installation.