Any woodworkers here?

[epwc]

Making a dining table for my daughter’s flat. Sycamore top, walnut legs. The only finish I’ve found to resist water rings is PU lacquer, but this wood is being a right bastard.

Sycamore is very pale, every slight over run or brush mark is visible because of the increased depth of lacquer. This is using water based lacquer, I chose this because it doesn’t get absorbed into the timber the same way as a solvent based finish so doesn’t yellow the wood.

Any ideas on a clear non ring finish that won’t yellow the wood?

[Sandstorm]

Table cloth?

[epwc]

Why didn’t I think of that?

[Blackmac]

Making a dining table for my daughter’s flat. Sycamore top, walnut legs. The only finish I’ve found to resist water rings is PU lacquer, but this wood is being a right bastard.

Sycamore is very pale, every slight over run or brush mark is visible because of the increased depth of lacquer. This is using water based lacquer, I chose this because it doesn’t get absorbed into the timber the same way as a solvent based finish so doesn’t yellow the wood.

Any ideas on a clear non ring finish that won’t yellow the wood?

I'm not sure you will find anything that will fully resist water rings that doesn't give a really artificial finish. Just hope she will appreciate it enough to take proper care of it.

[Lobby]

Table cloth?

You can also put a waterproof heat resistant table protector under the table cloth to fully protect the wood

[epwc]

My mother in law has a cherry dining table that she took ages choosing, never seen the light of day, got one of those table protectors and the tablecloth.

[epwc]

Just hope she will appreciate it enough to take proper care of it.

Problem is us! We've always been very casual in our usage of furniture, never used coasters or anything so that's what the kids are used to.

To be fair I've never really thought about whether they appreciate it, I hope they do, all their bedroom furniture (including beds) at home was done by me and the missus

[Sinkers]

Got off-cuts laying around? Make her some coasters and maybe even placemat type things.
Might be more likely to use them if they’re special made by you.

[Tichtheid]

An oil finish might work - walnut oil dries pretty well, it will colour the wood, but there isn't a finish I can think of that won't colour it in some way.

[fishfoodie]

How about putting a tempered glass top on the table ?

You can admire the wood, & keep it protected.

[TB63]

Look on Blacktail Studio for some of the finishes he uses...

[Sandstorm]

Just hope she will appreciate it enough to take proper care of it.

Problem is us! We've always been very casual in our usage of furniture, never used coasters or anything so that's what the kids are used to.

To be fair I've never really thought about whether they appreciate it, I hope they do, all their bedroom furniture (including beds) at home was done by me and the missus

Just pop around every December 1st with your DeWalt and give the top a quick sanding, ready for Christmas and another year of Millennial abuse.

[Blackmac]

Just hope she will appreciate it enough to take proper care of it.

Problem is us! We've always been very casual in our usage of furniture, never used coasters or anything so that's what the kids are used to.

To be fair I've never really thought about whether they appreciate it, I hope they do, all their bedroom furniture (including beds) at home was done by me and the missus

We are the same. We try, but are not overly careful as I generally think it is less hassle just giving stuff a refurb every few years rather than being paranoid about it.
I can knock together outdoor stuff like benches, tables, gazebos etc, but I've never had the finesse to do any of the stuff you are doing. I'm hoping that will change over the winter as I'm going to attempt to build an oak staircase.

[epwc]

I'm hoping that will change over the winter as I'm going to attempt to build an oak staircase.

Thats a proper project!

Be more expensive to source but there is Scottish elm about that has great colour and grain:

https://www.scottishwood.co.uk/scottish-hardwoods

Even native oak will have better grain than imported timber, basically cos we're shit at growing timber

The sycamore was English, only about 75% of it was usable for a smart table top, not like your imported stuff.

Will look at Blacktail, don't like glass on a wooden table. Wood is supposed to age.

[TB63]

My ex's 500 Yr old yew tree fell down in the storms a while back, made sure she got the trunk slabbed and is under cover for last 2 years, going to make a few riven edge tables out of it next year.. first attempt at resin pouring so might be fun/disaster...

[epwc]

I bought some resin a few years ago never got round to doing it, let us know how you get on

[mat the expat]

Can't help too much but I'm looking forward to building my new workbench soon

Have a huge garage - almost quadruple inside that is my new Mancave

[epwc]

Are you going to have holes in your workbench? Very useful

[Tichtheid]

At the risk of teaching egg-sucking, if I were to build another workbench I'd use ideas from this video

[epwc]

Excellent video, don’t think that was about when I built mine

[Yeeb]

If I won the lottery I’d get a full on workshop made and recreate some of these Dusty Lumber videos on Facebook. When the joint slots together and held firm by the slightly offset dowel in hole , it’s just so satisfying to watch.

Same also the Japanese kiguni / bukkake / whatever it’s called no nails techniques with those fancy mortises and blocks to hold it all in place.

[Blackmac]

At the risk of teaching egg-sucking, if I were to build another workbench I'd use ideas from this video

Jesus. That is so good I would be afraid to use it. Mine is knocked up from 6 x 2's and 8 x 2's. Have a chop say, vice and drawers made out of old Chinese takeaways.

[TB63]

Your missus must walk funny..

[mat the expat]

Are you going to have holes in your workbench? Very useful

Most likely - the top is Bonded Bamboo - very tough. I've started to dabble on r/workbenches to get ideas