New Egg owner and building new table. Outdoor treatment?

MCLane

Hello all I was lucky enough to receive a LBGE for Christmas so now starting on the table. Oak frame and legs but going for one 8ft long with a solid sweet chestnut top. I live in the UK and the table although covered will live outside. Currently planing down the wood and cutting down to size. Any suggestions on weather proofing, oil or varnish? Stain or not to stain? Many thanks

stemc33

Welcome to the greatest forum on earth @MCLane‌. I just use the eggmates, but plan on getting a stainless table at some point. Somebody will probably chime in soon with the information your looking for. I think @nolaegghead‌ is pretty knowledgeable about wood protectants.

MCLane

Thanks for the welcome

UrbanForestTurnings

Welcome. So many choices and options. You need to figure out how much maintenance you are willing to do. What are your skill levels for applying a finish. How do you want the wood to look? Every application of treatment to a wood has its own pros and cons. And the environment the wood will be in. Direct sun? Covered when not in use? High moisture environment? Good luck. I'm sure you will do a great job with it. Post some pictures

MCLane

Great food for thought. The wood is pretty dry and seasoned. Currently drying out in barn. Table will be in sun part of the day, when we get the sun. Teak oil has been suggested but not as good a sealant for food spills etc

UrbanForestTurnings

You can't get oil from teak.

UrbanForestTurnings

When you say dry and seasoned . Do you know the moisture content? And if so is it stabilized?

Jeremiah

Sounds like an awesome table. Welcome to the forum!

henapple

Welcome. ...look into 3 coats of spar varnish.. varnish all 6 sides twice sanding in between coats. Install top and apply one final coat.

MCLane

UrbanForestTurnings said:

When you say dry and seasoned . Do you know the moisture content? And if so is it stabilized?

Can't say I do know the moisture content. Aged over 18 months old but stored outside under cover so in barn now to 'warm' up before I plane it. Still has the bark on!

MCLane

henapple said:

Welcome. ...look into 3 coats of spar varnish.. varnish all 6 sides twice sanding in between coats. Install top and apply one final coat.

Thanks

UrbanForestTurnings

MCLane said:

UrbanForestTurnings said:

When you say dry and seasoned . Do you know the moisture content? And if so is it stabilized?

Can't say I do know the moisture content. Aged over 18 months old but stored outside under cover so in barn now to 'warm' up before I plane it. Still has the bark on!
How thick is the slab. And did you seal the ends?

DaveRichardson

@McLane, There are some guys around here that are finishing masters, and @henapple is one of them.  Spar is what I hear from him soooo many times, that I think he sells it on the side!

As far as stain goes, if you have scrap pieces around, given them some sample stains and see what you think; its YOUR table after all!  You've gotta like it after you invest time into it!

Search around here on the Table Forum and look at what others have built and used for finishes; that'd be my recommendation!

UrbanForestTurnings

A natural edge top would look great. To keep the bark on better use some thin c.a glue. If the tree was cut in the winter you have a better chance of retaining the bark. Just remember. Your finish and or stain won't penatrate the c.a glue

UrbanForestTurnings

Natural edge cottonwood bowl. . Tree was removed February 2014 First turning March 2014 air dried. Ready for the finish sanding and finish. Might sit for a while. Have to be in the mood. Egg is coming first.lol

MCLane

Nice. Thanks for advice all. Pics coming as I progress

Jamielampert

I stained mine. I used min wax, color was gunstock then I used min wax helmsman spar poly. So far so good. I did one coat of stain and three coats of poly.

cortguitarman

Sikkens window and door stain. It's great stuff. Made for exterior window and door treatment.

DoubleEgger

I used spray cans of spar urethane. It's a lot easier to lay on consistently with spray.

Jamielampert

DoubleEgger said:

I used spray cans of spar urethane. It's a lot easier to lay on consistently with spray.

I think I am going to try that for my final coats

MCLane

Thanks guys. also going to add casters as well now

MCLane

Egg table finally taking shape

YukonRon

Sikkens. That is all.
They started out in a cave, painting coaches for European aristocracy. A Dutch company based in Sassenheim, a miserable place all year except both July and August, where they refer to those two months as "bad ice fishing" they have been in the coatings business over 400 years, they are heavy in marine, indoor and outdoor furniture and transportation coatings. Pricey, but you will likely never have to redo the table, and if so, it will be far less than anything else in the market, on a global basis.

MCLane

So not been on here for a while but here is the new table all finished. Just over 8ft long. Top made of Sweet Chestnut on top of an Oak frame

RollTideRob

Nice work. Looks good.

DaveRichardson

That, my friend, is BEAUTIFUL!  Excellent work with the live edges! 

MCLane

Thanks Dave. Tree was 130 years old

YukonRon

That is freakin' Cool! I love chestnut. That chunk of wood had to be hard to find. There is a certain type that blight had destroyed around here. Gorgeous natural patina with the wood. ENVY runs through me.

scottn83

what did you use for a finish on the top

MCLane

I used about 9 coats of yacht varnish.