Another reader question: dominoes on the table
David Stahl gave me permission to reprint and (hopefully) answer his question here:
I like to play games, pariticularly dominoes – Block Style of course.
I had an initial idea to make a table like this one. I wanted to expand the edges so they could have chip racks, and I’m still not sure what to do about cup holders. So I got the great idea that I’d make a top with a clear coat of laquer over “stuff” I’d shellac inside – like pictures perhaps (if you’ve ever been at some cheesy bar that has all kinds of old pictures sealed in the bartop or table you’ll know what I mean).
So I’m looking for a good, strong, clear sealant. You can see a blog post about it here. I’ve found Kleer Koat which is an epoxy and pretty strong. I also found this table which uses this stuff.
My requirements are that it stay clear for as long as possible (no yellowing), strong enough to handle some “gentle” slamming of dominoes (which usually have a metal ‘lump’ so that they spin), spilled drinks, etc…
Throughout your course of woodworking, have you found or used anything similar?
You’ve done your homework on this, so I can only add my personal experience with a few finishes.
* Shellac is too soft. You might manage it if you use natural (not blonde) shellac that’s freshly mixed, but even then, I think you’d dent it with your dominoes. Also, it will yellow, and spilled alcohol damages shellac finishes.
* I have experimented with exactly the goop you link to above, and it’s tough stuff. You’ll probably dent it and scuff it, but not break it. It’s also not difficult to refinish if it gets too beat up. You can lay your trinkets down directly under it before you apply it. I do not believe that it will yellow.
* Water-based varnishes, like Minwax Polycrylic, are too soft and don’t build well.
* Behlen’s Rock Hard Tabletop Varnish might work, although I suspect you’ll have trouble getting it to build to the thickness you want. It’s a classic varnish, and is extremely yellow-orange tinted, but the tint should not change over time. This will affect the appearance of stuff underneath it. But it will harden up as much as you could want. I’m likely going to use this over shellac for my dining room table.
* If it were me, I’d get a sheet of thick glass, and use the epoxy stuff underneath it to fuse it to the table & buffer it underneath. You won’t have much effect on a 3/8 sheet of glass when you slam a domino into it, if it’s well supported underneath with something conformant.
Good luck with the table!
(You might want to subscribe or follow me on Twitter so you don’t miss new articles)
