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I’m about to start work on a router table top using eastern hard maple. I’ll be laminating two inch strips together to make a 36″x24″x1″ top. Once the table top is constructed, what would be the best suited finish for it? I have almost exclusively sued tung oil varnish on all my projects. Is this finish suitable for a router table top?
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Replies
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I wouldn't recommend oil finish on your router table, as it will not provide the slipperiness you will be looking for, and could possibly impart into the pieces you are routing, which ccould be detrimental if you wish to finish the wood another way.
But that is neither here nor there since I would never recommend using solid wood for a table top which engineers have devoted time to designing perfectly flat. You will quickly notice decreased perfoemance if the table warps even a little.
j
*Have to agree with John on the use of solid wood for the top. For sure it is trouble. If you decide to go ahead a poly would be your best bet, both sides and edges.Bob
*I would agree with what Dano said earlier. He did say he put an oil finish on his top, but he also waxed the top. The wax provides the slippery surface that's needed.
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