Soapy

The article by Reed Hansuld in Canadian Woodworking was a good reference. Soap flakes, water and a mixer borrowed from the kitchen is all that's required. The benefits of soap finish: it's likely the most environmental finish available; and it doesn't yellow the wood over time like an oil finish.

My soap froth was a little more concentrated than Reed's. I threw a couple handfuls of flakes into about a 1/4" of water, Reed uses one handful. I came to a nice finish after 2 coats, Reed says he normally does four minimum. With the amount of sanding between coats and soap dust I was happy with two coats.

I sanded between each coat, 220 on the first, 320 on the second, then buffed all surfaces with a white 3m pad.

The table top after a couple coats:

Making table top clips:

All clips mortised and installed. The four outside visible clips were mortised to give a snug fit. For the others underneath the top, I sped things up with a pattern and template cutter on the plunge router.