New top for old table

[Timmymacca]

I saw this table in the local hard rubbish and thought it looked too nice to go to landfill. It's approximately 900mm square, with extension pieces that slide out at each end about 300mm long. The top and extensions are some sort of ply, the legs and rails are solid timber. I think it's spent some time in the sun, the ply is stuffed and the finish was flaking off the legs.

I started giving the legs and rails a light sand to remove the finish. I would like to make a solid timber top and extensions to replace ply pieces.

Does anyone have an opinion on what the timber is in the legs/rails and what sort of finish would be appropriate for it?

Thanks, Macca

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/y7epa3eq.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/3ygumy6u.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/ahutesad.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/y3umusev.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/02/e5e3y5e3.jpg

[tdrumnut]

The legs may be Silky Oak

[Timmymacca]

Thanks tdrumnut.

In terms of making a new top from planks, would the best option be to make a single top and then cut the extensions off each end or cut first and then make the main top and the extensions separately?