Hello,
I am making a sugar pine dining table for my cabin in the Sierras (elevation 5800 ft in a high snow area). There is a great difference between summer (low) and winter (high) humidity inside the cabin because the cabin remains unheated most of the time in the winter and the surrounding snowpack is deep and transmits a lot of moisture. What I want to do is finish the table in a way to provide maximum protection against changes in the moisture content of the wood so as to prevent warping, etc., especially the top. I don’t plan to join the boards of the top, and do plan to finish everything equally on all sides. All of the boards are surfaced 2×12 and currently have a moisture content of about 7%. I am not really looking for advice on construction for I think I have that figured out but how to best seal the wood, if “sealing” it is what I should be doing. I would like to begin with stain. I would prefer a natural finish and usually use oils, but am willing to try anything or any combination of things.
Thanks much
Replies
Bob,
You can stain it as desired. You said you usually use an oil finish. I would recommend you stay with that plan for this table. Since the space has little heat or humidity control, I would stick with a finish that doesn't have a surface build like a varnish, urethane or lacquer. If you were to use a varnish be sure it's a spar varnish and keep the coats thin. This will be a more flexible film than any other type.
The oils you use effectively act as your sealer.Which type do you like to use?
Peter Gedrys
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