Live Edge Redwood Tables...what finish to use?

I just today finished a coffee table and matching side table I made from a slab of redwood I got last week.
A few friends have recommended I apply epoxy resin for rock-solid protection. I already have 6 coats of polyurethane, and I like the natural look, rather than the thick, high-gloss look of epoxy.

However, I want whatever is best for the longevity of the table.

Any thoughts on what finish to use for good protection?

Poly and epoxy are both plastic. The Poly finish is very durable compared to lacquers and old school varnish. I like that you can do a wipe on poly and or abrade the finish to get a more natural look. The thick epoxy pour on is very durable(thick) and costly. Either way it can always be repaired or refinished.

I finished a big (like almost 4' x 8') madrone slab several years ago. It lives outside, so I finished it with epoxy, but found it difficult to get the perfect finish I was looking for.

It's held up pretty well. I have done some minor maintenance on it, but nothing major.

Anyways, I think your poly finish looks great and should be pretty durable. I'd just go with what you've got...

Btw, here's a couple of pictures...

Looks good.  polyurethane is fine, so long as the redwood was dry and all the oils cleaned off with acetone.  It's pretty notorious for repelling poly if its wet or oily at all. 

I have 2 slabs drying inside my office hallway since December.  Waiting for it to hit 15% before I get to table making.

Nice looking tables here  I've used poly and colored epoxy resin on a small project once and it seems to be holding up fine. But someone told me to give Spar Varnish a try. I haven't used it but its the same stuff used on sailing ships so it could be durable.

For indoor tables, poly is good b/c its hard and less likely to dent or scratch with regular use.  That said, I never really liked the look of poly - always seems kind of plasticy.  My go-to has been Waterlox for a long time.  https://www.waterlox.com/  Simple to apply - its a tung oil base with a phenolic resin so it absorbs and then hardens very nicely, especially with softer woods like redwood.

For indoor tables, poly is good b/c its hard and less likely to dent or scratch with regular use.  That said, I never really liked the look of poly - always seems kind of plasticy.  My go-to has been Waterlox for a long time.  https://www.waterlox.com/  Simple to apply - its a tung oil base with a phenolic resin so it absorbs and then hardens very nicely, especially with softer woods like redwood.

Thanks! Which product do you recommend? There are a bunch listed on their site.

Those tables look awesome!  I have some slabs of redwood to make into benches and didn't know what to do for finishing them.  Thanks for the tips!

I appreciate the preference for natural wood. I also find epoxy and wood can be beautiful, too, and epoxy adds some protection. As beautiful as those tables are, I do not see a shiny piece of furniture in my living space. I would take a natural finish over epoxy. That said ...

I do not make tables but I enjoy watching the videos on youtube from the guy that is Blacktail Studios. I think his name is Kevin. He makes wood and epoxy tables. He shares all of his knowledge about everything, including which brand of epoxy, how to use it, how to remove bubbles, how to buff it, how to do epoxy repairs … If you have an interest in using epoxy on your wood tables I suggest spending the time to watch his videos, read the descriptions for product list/links. I’ve worked with fiberglass/epoxy for years and I have learned some epoxy stuff from his videos.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6I0KzAD7uFTL1qzxyunkvA

Btw, here's a couple of pictures...

Amazing slab! Nice work!

As others commented, I like the natural look too. Here’s a credenza that has a danish oil finish. It’s appropriate because there’s no water or food placed on it. However, for our walnut dining table, I’ve used Minwax oil based polyurethane. I’ve used their products on many projects. It’s very durable and I highly recommend it. If you use the clear finish on all coats, and matte finish for final coat, it won’t look plasticky or glossy at all. I’ve used epoxy in other projects and I’ve seen it used on tables. I wouldn’t recommend it because scratches are visible and the epoxy may also develop a yellow tone over time.

Btw, here's a couple of pictures...

That's a nice piece. Where did you get it ?

For indoor tables, poly is good b/c its hard and less likely to dent or scratch with regular use.  That said, I never really liked the look of poly - always seems kind of plasticy.  My go-to has been Waterlox for a long time.  https://www.waterlox.com/  Simple to apply - its a tung oil base with a phenolic resin so it absorbs and then hardens very nicely, especially with softer woods like redwood.

Thanks! Which product do you recommend? There are a bunch listed on their site.

Cant go wrong with the orignal... I would not do the satin - it tends to look a little cloudy and makes me uncomfortable.  The high gloss finish is more of a final coat and is beautiful, but is high gloss and a thicker build up.  For me, three coats of original is money... just note the cure times... It can sometimes take 2 weeks to complete curing and off-gassing. 

Just tested my slabs. Reading 14-17%.

I’m almost there, a few more weeks and I start on my new conference room table.