I need ideas on finishing a living room table

[WoodChuckWoods]

I just about got my table finished and have no idea how or what im going to use to finish it. i have only worked with spray laquer and bee's wax. i dont want to use these. just wondering if anyone had any ideas about somthing low odor, easy to apply, and keeps a natural wood look?
the table is made out of Padduk, canarey, and tigerwood. any help would be appreciated.

 

[peter halle]

What is your desired result?  Glossy, satin, a film coating, natural feeling?  Also Paduak can have very visible pores.  Do you want a totally smooth finish, or can the pores be visible?

Peter

 

[durango]

I use HomesteadFinishingProducts.com.    Their user forum can provide a ton of advice, mostly geared to the newer waterborne products. 

 

[tiralie]

For tables, wipe on poly works well.
also, I know you don't want to get into wax, but I think the Sam Maloof  recipe is beautiful but needs yearly maintenance.

Here's a quote from Sam Maloof I picked up from another site.

"It is a mixture of one-third linseed oil, one-third raw tung oil, and one-third semigloss urethane varnish. I apply it generously and then rub it off completely so there isn't a wet spot left anywhere. I let it sit overnight and then add another coat. The process is repeated about 4 times. Then I make a batch of finish that is half linseed oil and half tung oil with some shredded beeswax mixed in. I put two coats of that finish on, and the chair's finished, ready to be used."

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I'm not familiar with those woods, so I'll keep my mouth shut  [eek] about which finish to use.  But here's a helpful tip...

If its the odor of the finish that bothers you (as opposed to toxicity issues), just put a drop of vanilla extract into a cup of the finish and stir.  The shop, and the piece, will smell like someone is baking cookies. ;D  A related tip, especially for casework, just before you deliver the piece to the customer, rub on a bit of lavender scented cabinetmaker's wax.  Female customers love it.  And if you are totally without scruples, as I am, use "baby oil" (scented paraffin oil) in your sanding slurry when glossing up a finish.  Women cannot resist.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

What is your desired result?  Glossy, satin, a film coating, natural feeling?  Also Paduak can have very visible pores.  Do you want a totally smooth finish, or can the pores be visible?

Peter

I'm am going for a natural feeling finish, sort of want it damp not super shiney. Does this make sense?

 

[MarkR]

I've started to use a hard wax oil, its very easy to apply just brush on and wipe off a couple of times. It gives as natural a finish as I've found yet, its hard wearing, Its mainly used as a floor finish, and easy to repair if you scratch it. I believe You have a similar product over there from tried and true original wood finish, but I've never used that so can't be sure. The HWO I'm using at present is Fiddes It seems to have more solids in than others, and can be bought in gloss, stain, or matt, I use satin. This is now my go to finish for all my furniture and cabinets.