Advice on Radiata Semi Gloss Finish Please

[Redbog]

Hello Everyone,

I have a spinal operation coming up in 2 weeks,(A.C.D.F.), and plan to amuse myself for the 7 to 9 weeks off work, by making some boxes for my planes and a few other bits and pieces to live in. Plan to make the boxes similar to an old time school pencil case, ends, sides and bottom, concealed dowel and glued, with rebated hardwood lid sliding in routed grooves.
Because I'll be a bit feeble,and not up to heavy planing and wrestling with hardwoods, I'll using 19mm radiata, (ahem!), with redgum inserts, for the boxes. Not flash, but at least I'll be able to work the stuff, and it'll do the job.
Could anyone advise me of an easy to use, durable, finish for radiata, that doesn't involve heavy duty rubbing and polishing, and ends up with a nice semi gloss finish? Would tung oil be compatible with radiata?

Can't understand why we 60 year olds are falling apart, we've looked after our bodies so well!

Hope someone can advise me, cheers

Redbog

[jimbur]

You can take a great deal of time with radiata especially if staining is involved or, you can do it quickly. When I've knocked up bookshelves quickly I've just just used a semi-gloss polyurethane.
You mentioned pencil boxes - I still have one I made at school over 55 years ago and it still has the same finish, shellac brushed on.
Good luck with the op.