woodwork question  

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the radius on a cross over is a problem I've come up against, an opaque top helps, or there is this guys solution which I like (see link).
So nice to work with good timber, this stuff also goes under the name of rose mahogany, its incredibly hard but machines better because of it I think, a cut edge barely burrs up, its like a razor. I think I will go buy the rest of it at that price and store it away.
http://lexstobiedesign.com/

cedar?
May be a bit soft for your table?
I've been working with cedar all morning. Not making anything noteworthy.
Bathroom shelves and a custom box for the coffee grinder.
Humidity has lifted in NY so i'm staining and sealing with tung oil.
Saman stain. My house is 90% cedar, so a recycled stack of decking has
come in handy. It does develop a nice patina over time but dents easily.
The Saman stains come in some great colors. And easy to mix custom
colors since i need to replicate the 50yr old cedar in the bathrooms.
I don't think it will look like a picnic table. But may suffer dents and bruises
from folding and storage.
Saman stain does work well on poplar.
http://www.dtep.com/saman.htm

Thanks.
I'm surprised to hear of a water-borne stain that doesn't raise the grain. I wonder who retails this locally ? Is this system (stain + clear finish) intended for exterior use ? Sounds good. . .
Australian rosewood/rose mahogany ? Wish it were available here. There are some interesting woods about; "Brazilian cherry" is hard and red, used for floors, and meranti is also hard and red, though darker -- sort of like a denser mahogany. This deck was photographed when the meranti was fairly fresh, and had just been "watered" :

Heath,
have you made the benches or stools that accompany your table ?
Is there a photo that shows the finished table ? I like the concept of side rails/aprons that capture (and slightly rise above ?) the top surface -- if I understand your design correctly.