1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Builder's Studio
  4. Osborne Builder's Studio: DIY Walnut Drink Coasters

Osborne Builder's Studio: DIY Walnut Drink Coasters

Builder's StudioAll VideosHow To

In this video we show you how to build a set of DIY walnut wood coasters with decorative inlays! This project is great for beginner to professional woodworkers and can make a great gift. Follow along and check out the links below to build your own!

Assembly Instructions

Overall Dimensions: 4” x 4” x ½”

What we used:

Other Items Needed:

  • Planer

  • Sander

  • Table/Miter Saw

  • Router/Router Table

  • Painter’s Tape

  • Wood Glue

  • Chisel/Razor Blade

  • Polyurethane Finish

Instructions:

Step 1 - Plane the lumber

Plane Osborne’s 4x1 True Stock Lumber (Part #34841) to a final thickness of roughly ½”. Sand to 150 grit.

Step 2 - Cut lumber

Cut the lumber to a 4” length, making it a perfect square.

Step 3 - Add round overs

Add a round over to the top and bottom edges of the coasters to soften the look.

Step 4 - Route the channels

When installing the inlay strips and creating the channels, choose a router bit that is the same width as the inlay strips. Set the depth of the router table to 1/32”. Cut the channels.

Step 5 - Cut the inlay strips

Use a chisel or a razor blade to cut the Western Diamond Inlay Strips (Part #893186) to the correct length. Measure and cut the shorter pieces of the inlay strip.

Tip: Use a high grit sand paper to lightly sand the inlay strip edges if it is not fitting properly in the channel.

Step 6 - Place inlay strips in channels

Add a little bit of glue to the channel and place the inlay strips making sure they seat properly.

Step 7 - Remove excess glue

Remove excess glue from the surface. Add weight to the tops of the coasters and allow them to dry.

Step 8 - Start creating coaster base

For the coaster base, plane the wood to be slightly thinner than the coasters. Cut the bottom of the coaster base to be ⅛” larger than the coasters.

Step 9 - Cut lumber to size

Cut two mitered corners from Osborne’s 4x1 True Stock Lumber. This will retain the coasters inside the stand.

Step 10 - Secure the mitered corners

Place and align the mitered corners on painter’s tape. Add glue to both miters. Fold them together with the painter’s tape to create a secure seam.

Step 11 - Sand coasters

Sand coasters to 220 grit while the glue dries.

Step 12 - Add glue and clamp

Assemble the stand by applying wood glue to the bottom corners of the side pieces. Use a band clamp to keep pressure.

Step 13 - Dust and finish

Remove the dust from the coasters and apply a polyurethane finish.

Tip: If you are using a water based polyurethane, be sure to sand the surface lightly before applying the final coat.
videobuilderbuildsomethingbeautifulbuild a tablebuild something beautifulhow to build a tablehow to build pedestal tableBuilder's Studiopedestalmetal pedestalspedestal kitstable pedestalpedestal tablepedestal basemetal table pedestalhow to attach a top to a pedestal

© All rights reserved, Osborne Wood Products, Inc