Forest 2 Home community members, Kyle and Brian Lagarto, have made some incredible projects utilizing the F2H shop lumber! While we have previously shared their epoxy resin and woodworking work across the @shopf2h Instagram account, we reached out to Kyle to ask him to tell us his woodworking journey and more about how he established his woodworking business. This is what he shared:
The start with woodworking
My name is Kyle Lagarto and I am the owner of Straight Edge Woodworks. With about eight years of experience in the construction industry, working with tools and being hands on is second nature to me, although it wasn’t until my house purchase in January 2020 that I was introduced to woodworking. When my fiancé and I purchased our house, we wanted to add our personality throughout- starting with a desk, followed by a small console table, and eventually making raised dog feeders for our two dogs. I started making the feeders for friends and family, I was regularly being told that I should start a business and sell them. The idea to start a business stuck in the back of my mind, but with an upcoming wedding and the rise of COVID-19, the idea sat on the back burner.
Incorporating epoxy resin into woodworking projects
One day, while shopping at a local woodworking store, we found an epoxy resin starter kit that my wife really wanted to try. With “happy wife, happy life” in mind, I purchased the kit and decided coasters would be the perfect small project to test the epoxy resin kit on. The coasters were a hit, taking on several variations. We started making them for friends and family, and then expanded our epoxy resin skillset to charcuterie boards.
Made with Forest 2 Home Walnut wood.
Father and son collaborating in the workshop
Simultaneously, my father, Brian, was planning his retirement. As part of his impending retirement, he had decided that he was interested in taking woodworking classes in pursuit of a new hobby. He always had an interest, but never had the time between work and family before. We started talking about the products I was making and soon the idea hatched of starting our own woodworking business. Not only would this allow me to help him to learn woodworking skills, but he would be able to educate me on the fundamentals of running a business. This was a win/win situation for both of us, with the additional advantage of father and son working alongside one another.
We decided to focus our efforts on epoxy resin and wood combinations, as well as exotic wood boards. As we got the business going and we were working on our materials sourcing, I was concerned about where we would be able to find reliable, quality wood for our products-I came across Forest 2 Home in my search. I reached out to Forest 2 Home looking to purchase some Walnut stock to use for our coaster sets. From day one, they have been nothing but kind and supportive of our company. Being a small business, it is extremely nice to have a wood supplier like Forest 2 Home to trust when you need quality wood for your projects at a very competitive price.
For my woodworking projects, I get a lot of inspiration through day-to-day life and paying attention to what types of wood products that people need and/or want. This drives which lumber we decide to purchase and, inevitably, the types of products that we offer.
Tips and tricks to epoxy resin and wood projects
Epoxy resin and wood process
My step by step process for completing epoxy resin and wood coasters and charcuterie boards includes:
- Build your form
- Prep your wood
- Mix and pour your epoxy allowing it to cure for 2-3 days
- Deform and plane to flatness/desired thickness
- Sand forever…literally… we want the product as smooth as possible
- Finish with mineral oil and wax
Practice patience with epoxy resin and woodworking
Be patient, while waiting for the epoxy to get to the semi-gel stage of curing. You need to babysit it so you can catch the small-time frame in which you can add swirls and designs to the epoxy. Take your time, nothing is a race. Sanding is the most important part of getting a glossy finish on the epoxy.
Think outside the box
Be different with your wood choice and epoxy colors. There are tons of different designs that can be thought of to make your project differ from others.
Made with Forest 2 Home Walnut hardwood.
Learn woodworking tips from experts
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Watch YouTube videos on how to sand your projects…I have WAY too many hours on YouTube learning the step-by-step process.
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Follow other woodworkers on Instagram that are interested in the same types of projects you do and collaborate with them. Open up Instagram and all you see is wood/epoxy resin projects.
When the sawdust is flying in the workshop and product is being hand-made, there is no better feeling; it is our motivation to keep moving forward!
To find Kyle and Brian’s incredible projects, visit their business page, @straightedgewoodworks508 on Instagram.
Have questions for Kyle and Brian? Leave them in the comments below or email marketing@forest2home.com. As you share your Forest 2 Home project photos on social media, be sure to use #BuiltWithF2H so we can see and share your work! It will also enter you into our Project of the Month running! Happy Woodworking!
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