Most Stovebolters and many others use Minwax Brand Helmsman Spar Urethane. Clear. Or Epifanes or good old tung oil. It can not be said too many times that coating all 6 sides of the wood is very important. Some folks thin the first two coats so it soaks in. I don't know if that is good but it sounds good. Pine is the least expensive wood and as Carl says not what it used to be unless you find a good old boy with old trees who has a mill. These guys do exist.


Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn