How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Steampunk Doorknobs Have you ever given a piece of furniture a makeover only to find, you can’t find suitable doorknobs to finish off the look?   If this is you then this post could be the answer.  Not too long ago I bought some epoxy resin to put on the surface of a wine barrel table that I made. If you buy the resin in larger quantities, it works out so much cheaper, but you also have a lot of resin leftover. I was looking for ideas on how to use it when I can up with the idea for these doorknobs/ drawer pulls.  Steampunk doorknobs

How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs

Items needed for doorknobs.

**This post may contain affiliate links. Which means I earn a small commission on links used at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.** I had ordered some steampunk charms from China which were a lot smaller than I wanted when they arrived, but they would work perfectly for this project. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Find suitable moulds.

I knew I had some Silicone cake Molds in my cupboards that I had never used because I am a rubbish cook.  But for this project, they would be perfect.  If you are going to do this project the silicone moulds, come in many shapes and sizes so you can be more creative.  I try and make all my projects using mainly recycled materials, so I used nuts and bolts I had in my recycled tin.  The ones you use just need to be long enough to go halfway down into your mould with enough room left over to go through a cabinet door. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) Make bolt supports. To hold the bolts in place I used wooden chopsticks that I taped together and put the bolts in place and added more tape so that the bolts do not move. You don’t have to use chopsticks, pencils or whatever you have on hand will work. It is a good idea to have this set up ready before you mix the resin, so you have more time to work with the resin.  The head of the bolt should be at least a third of the way into the mould. This will allow for a thick layer of resin needed to withstand all the pulling when you open and close the cupboard and drawers. The add supports on each side of the chopstick to hold them in place while the resin sets. I just used the plastic containers my screws came in. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Add charms to the silicone moulds

Because this was a test run, I wanted to try and make some with steampunk charms and some with unicorn Spit Stain and glaze.  Place the gears randomly around the shape of the moulds.  For the Unicorn Spit ones, I just added a few drops of each colour. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Mix the Epoxy Resin

My epoxy resin is 2:1 ratio so I mixed a small batch of 200 ml resin and 100 ml hardener.  Not all epoxy resins are the same so follow the instructions on the product that you are using. Measuring and mixing the resin correctly is very important or the resin will not set, or it will have a sticky layer along the top that will never dry. While you are stirring make sure that you scrape the sides and the bottom of the containers.  I poured mine into separate containers and then mix them all together in another container. To be more accurate you can use an electronic scale.  How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) I poured my resin very slowly down the back of a plastic spoon so that the gears did not get washed away by the resin flowing in too fast. The unicorn spit in the mould was given a stir to move the colours around. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Add some colour pigment.

I thought the colour of the unicorn spit knobs was too plain, so I added a few drops of resin colour pigment. In hindsight, I did not mix it enough and the colours did not blend as well as I would have liked. So, mix the Unicorn Spit into the resin first and then add the colour pigment. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) Next, you can add the bolts to the resin supporting the chopsticks on the sides.  Double-check that the bolts are deep enough, and they are centred in the resin. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Removing the bubbles

Once the resin is poured, after a short while you will see lots of bubbles on the surface which will make it look white.  You need to remove theses bubbles, or your project will be spoilt.  For a project, this size you can just blow on the resin through a straw, your breath pops the bubbles but a creme brule torch works better. Just a couple of passes over the resin and the bubble were gone.  Be careful not to scorch the resin. The resin will look clear once all the bubbles are removed.   How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) Then you need to leave your project to dry, some resins I have used, take 12 hours I left mine for 24 hours. To remove the doorknobs from the mould you can just turn the mould inside out and they will pop out. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) If you zoom in on the image above, you will notice that the edges of the back were a bit rough.  To smooth mine out, I used sandpaper wrapped around a wooden block using 100grit to remove the bulk and 240grit to smooth it out. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) The doorknobs I made using the unicorn spit did not really work the way I had hoped they would.  There were lots of very fine holes in the top.  I am assuming that I did not mix it correctly.   But the steampunk knobs exceeded all my expectations and I loved them. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) There are so many uses for these knobs and here are just a few ideas.  The possibilities are endless as to what you can add to the resin. How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Ways to use the doorknobs.

They would make great hooks for a coat rack, great for hanging up your necklaces and many more. If you are looking for storage ideas for your jewellery, check out this Jewellery cupboard that I built using recycled materials.  Looking for unique jewellery storage ideas have a look at this vintage display box that I repurposed into a hidden jewellery box. How to make Epoxy resin doorknobs (steampunk) I fitted mine to my buffet unit so you can see how cool they look. I did have to shorten the bolt at the back of the door. How to make Epoxy resin doorknobs (steampunk) How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk) Custom made epoxy resin knobs If you are looking for any of the items used in this project, please consider using our links. By clicking on the links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Which helps us come up with new and exciting ideas to share with you. Please feel free to share or leave a comment we would love to hear your thoughts. How to make Epoxy resin doorknobs (steampunk)
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23 Comments

  • Reply
    Debra
    April 23, 2018 at 7:26 am

    Very cool way of making door knobs to suit your decor. I may just do this for my
    own home. Put sea shells on them for a bathroom to hang towels in them. Do you think using ice trays to make smaller ones for cadint doors and drawers would work?
    Kind regards,
    Debra

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      April 24, 2018 at 5:36 am

      Thank you, Debra, I think using icetrays might be hard to get the doorknob out if they are the hard plastic ones, not to sure if it will get stuck. I have heard of a release agent you can spray into the mold first but have also read that some release agents can make the resin go off color. I would advise if you are looking for smaller ones to use chocolate molds. At the bottom of this project, I have added some molds I believe will work.

  • Reply
    Sylvia | Grace for a Gypsy
    July 22, 2019 at 1:53 am

    Oh my gosh! I love love LOVE this! I need to try this, my head is spinning with all sorts of ideas!

  • Reply
    Dee | Grammy's Grid
    July 22, 2019 at 5:24 am

    Oh WOW! How unique! Pinned ♥

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      July 24, 2019 at 3:23 am

      Thank you so much, they have proved very popular and what you can add to them is endless.

  • Reply
    Marie
    July 22, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    As a furniture upcycler who is always on the hunt for interesting furniture knobs, your post just rocked my DIY world! Love these and appreciate the tutorial. This is so happening in my workshop! Pinned 🙂

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      July 24, 2019 at 3:22 am

      I have just finished some new one using bits and bobs I found around the house and my workshop. I will post it soon.

  • Reply
    Michelle
    July 23, 2019 at 4:55 pm

    I love, love, love the steampunk door knobs! Fantastic!

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      July 24, 2019 at 3:17 am

      Thank you so much, I have just made different ones using ping pong balls. I added bits and bobs I could find around the house to them to give people ideas. I will post that one soon.

  • Reply
    Lirtea
    July 24, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    Gran idea¡¡

  • Reply
    Sylvia | Grace for a Gypsy
    July 27, 2019 at 2:07 am

    Hi again Anita! Thanks for linking this post to the GATHERING OF FRIENDS LINK PARTY 3. I love this idea!

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    July 28, 2019 at 2:53 am

    Those steampunk knobs are so cool!

  • Reply
    Julie Briones
    July 29, 2019 at 12:01 am

    These are so cool looking! Love how you used them on a hanger… they would definitely make great dresser knobs, too! So glad to have you at Tuesday Turn About!

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      July 29, 2019 at 1:53 am

      Thank you so much, they can be used for so many things
      .

  • Reply
    Ann
    July 29, 2019 at 10:34 pm

    These are amazing and will be featured tomorrow night on my blog. Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s!

  • Reply
    Michele Michael
    July 30, 2019 at 10:18 am

    Thanks for posting at Funtastic Friday. I’m so digging these. I have some ideas up my sleeve.

  • Reply
    T'onna | Sew Crafty Crochet
    August 3, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    This is a really cool idea! I love these steam punk knobs! Thanks for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party!

  • Reply
    Kelly
    August 19, 2019 at 7:08 am

    How did you attach them to cabinet doors? Redoing my kitchen cabinets and this would be great.

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