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Finishing a Router Table - pebbles - 08-15-2018
I built a router table and I am considering putting a protective finish on the outside. If i do I was thinking of sealing it with a coat of shellac and then a couple of coats of poly. What do you kind and knowledgeable posters think I should do?
RE: Finishing a Router Table - Phil Thien - 08-15-2018
I'd hit it with a couple of rattle cans of spray shellac and call it a day.
Sounds like you will be mostly finishing vertical surfaces, so I don't think anything sturdier than shellac would be required.
And rattle cans because I always have 1-2 hanging around.
RE: Finishing a Router Table - EdL - 08-15-2018
I put formica on mine......
RE: Finishing a Router Table - packerguy® - 08-15-2018
(08-15-2018, 06:32 PM)pebbles Wrote: I built a router table and I am considering putting a protective finish on the outside. If i do I was thinking of sealing it with a coat of shellac and then a couple of coats of poly. What do you kind and knowledgeable posters think I should do?
I wouldn't use a film finish if you're talking about the table surface. In the past on one, and my workbench I did about 5 coats of paste wax only. Big fan of that cause it reduces friction on the surface and is easy to refresh once a year when I do my cast iron surfaces.
For the base, whatever you want to do is OK. I agree with just the rattle cans of shellac cause its quick and easy. But I've used shop stuff as practice for finishes in the past. I found Arm-R-Seal to be awesome only cause I used it on some shop stuff. If I wouldn't have tried it there, I likely wouldn't have ever tried it.
RE: Finishing a Router Table - fredhargis - 08-16-2018
You're talking about the cabinet?
RE: Finishing a Router Table - pebbles - 08-16-2018
Yes I am talking about the cabinet the top will have a type of formica. Sorry I did not specify.
RE: Finishing a Router Table - fredhargis - 08-17-2018
Then what you want to do would be just fine. So would paint, or pretty much anything else. I didn't finish the cabinet on mine, and it's still in very good shape (plywood cabinet, solid wood may be different) after 15 years.
RE: Finishing a Router Table - handi - 08-18-2018
For just the cabinet, why bother with shellac and poly?
Either/or would be fine, both may be overkill, but it’s your shop so you get to do what you want.
I am building an updated version of my Folding Router Table for episodes 1&2 of Woodcademy season 2. I used whiteboard for the top surface (1/8” hardboard coated with melamine) 5/8” press board in the center and 1/2” baltic birch ply for the bottom. The Folding Stand is made from 2x8s so I just did swipe on poly for the wood edgeband and the exposed ply face. Spray cans will be easier for a cabinet.
The original lasted 6+ years so I have been happy with it.
RE: Finishing a Router Table - Willyou - 09-13-2018
I put plastic laminate on the top. I just mixed together left over paint for the cabinet. Cheap and easy to make it easier to clean off the dust.