Shellacking objects into table top?

[Kylersk]

Not even sure if that's the right terminology. Anyways.. I thought it would be neat to make my own table top for my fish house. Use 3/4" or 1" oak plywood, and shellac a map w/burned edges and maybe a few fishing lures into the table top. Kind of like what you see in quite a few of the rustic Bars/Restaurants. I'm not really sure how this is done, so I figured I'd ask here.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Gissert]

Most of the bars you see are done with a clear casting resin.

You could probably get by with a clear gloss waterbased poly. I like PolyCrylic. Sand VERY lightly between coats with 220 grit sand paper. Be very careful with the sanding after the first couple coats. I have a reloading bench that I put about 20 coats of clear poly on. Very tough, and it holds up great.

[SteveWilson]

The pored on bar/countertop finish is best achieved with System Three MirrorCoat Epoxy. I belive Woodcraft carries it or try Tools Plus. West Systems probably makes something similar but you would have to ask them

[Jeremy airjer W]

If you want to put some lures in there I would reccomend the casting resin. Its available at all the home improvement or art supply stores. I'm sure the people in the paint department would be able to point you in the right direction. Do a google search for casting resin, or envirotex. I'm sure this is what you are looking for. Mix, poor, dry, done!

[upnorth]

You find a supplier for the same 2 part epoxy that is used for the thread finish on fishing rods. It is designed to go on thick and self levels. I do think that it would pretty expensive to use in large quantities, but I think you can buy in bulk too. One brand name is Flex Coat and if you think about it for a bit the stuff is pretty dang durable.