I'm making a kitchen/dining table using a beech-veneered MDF board for the top, with pine for the base and to edge the board with. This is my first project. I'm wondering how best to finish it: my original plan was to make a solid top from edge-jointed beech planks, but that worked out too expensive to risk on a first project. With solid wood I would have wanted a finish that enhanced the wood as simply as possible - perhaps a tung oil or something? - but nothing too fancy that would have me nervous every time the table was used in case something got spilled on it. Now I'm using the veneered MDF, I kind of imagine that a varnish would be more practical, but I don't want the thing to look too "varnished" - I want it to look like natural wood with a light finish as much as possible. Any suggestions as to which way I should go? Many thanks John, London UK

I have a home office and want to waynescoat (not sure of the spelling) over a sprayed ceiling. My local supply stores do not carry the type of lumber that I think I need. I can find it in a paneling type product but do not want seams or the little strips used to cover the seams. I have a very limited woodworking tool chest. Any ideas? Thanks