Best finish for work bench?

What about it?

I found this ikea gate leg table a while back, and it had substantial water damage to the laminate top. I bought an solid core door and planned on using it as a workbench. I had some old vinyl tiles which looked like shit and had some adhesive failure pretty quickly, so I removed them last night. How should I finish the top? On hand, I have Minwax poly, some rust oleum gloss enamel, several latex wall paints and a few Cabot stains. I don't mind getting something else but it's going to be used and likely repaired/replaced, so I don't really care that much. Ideally, it would be a repairable finish. I don't really want to take it down to the laminate veneer, but could. I initially went to vinyl tiles because they could take some damage and be replaceable. I'm living in an apartment without access to a work space, so the desk is going to be multiple use, and it would be nice if it looked good enough that it wasn't a total eye sore. Projects really run a wide range from small woodworking, metalworking and electronics projects. Other additions coming are adding a cantilevered light I hacked together and a outlet. I had considered adding some casters but I don't think the gates are strong enough as is.

My first workbench made from red oak, only question is can I attach a breadboard end now that’s it’s built?

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After I was all done I realized I wish I had an extra 3-4” on each end and was considering using a left over board to install an end peace using other dovetail or mortise and tenon joint. Not sure the best way to go about this. Still green with woodworking.

How do I make this cut?

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I am making a custom hand rail for my basement stairs. The rail doesn't quite align where I runs into the Newell post at the bottom of the stairs and needs a bit shaved off, as shown by the white line. A skilled woodworker friend of mine advised I use a block plane to accomplish this, as sanding or chiseling it would just round it off. Unfortunately, either I suck at planing or I am unable to get my blades sharp enough, because I can't seem to do more than hack chunks out of the test pieces I've done. This is solid walnut, about 1" thick. Any advice?

Needed a bookshelf. Made a bookshelf.

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Knotty alder, first piece of furniture made with handcut joinery.

Glue mystery

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Hi Folks - what has happened here? It’s not a big deal, but this headboard that I finished 6 months ago has a slight bump at a glue line. Just enough to feel with my nail. Not all the glue lines have squished out, just this one. I’m positive it wasn’t there where the piece was finished. Any idea, is it the weight plus the heat of summer somehow softening it? Just curious as to what the cause might be!

A real stain in the ass

What about it?

Sanded down this 1970s Hoosier desk and discovered the sides and top are veneer, while the edges are solid wood. Used an orbital sander followed by sandpaper with increasing levels of grit. Blew off, wiped down, let dry, used pre-stain conditioner, waited ~5min, applied stain, waited ~10min, wiped off excess. Veneer is staining beautifully, but I’ve never worked with wood that’s behaving like the corners. Blotchy in places and some crazy color variance. Sanded the middle panel all the way down again (on the top in the photo), and it looks even worse. I’m at a loss. I am using an oil-based stain. Would gel make a difference? Any other ideas?

My reading nook for the weekend, rural Washington state

My little slice of heaven!

Small hidden cabin

Created a little “Lego room” for my son, with a twinkling star ceiling!

Sunny beachfront driftwood shanty