I have been experimenting with my sourdough starter hydration and found that keeping it at around eighty percent hydration gives the best results for an open crumb structure. You asked about the feeding schedule so here is what works for me. I feed it once every twelve hours when it is at room temperature and use a mix of bread flour and whole wheat. The key is to watch for the peak rise time rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. When it doubles in about four to five hours you know it is active enough to use. For the baking itself I preheat my Dutch oven for a full hour at five hundred degrees and then drop the temperature when I put the loaf in. The steam from the covered pot creates a nice crust. I have been getting consistently good results with this method over the past few months. Let me know if you want more details on the scoring technique or the bulk fermentation timing.

I also tried a cold retard in the refrigerator for about fourteen hours and that deepened the flavor noticeably. The dough was easier to score when it was cold straight from the fridge. I baked it straight from cold without bringing it to room temperature and got a good oven spring.

One thing I learned is that the hydration level affects how sticky the dough is. At eighty percent you need to use wet hands for the stretch and folds but the result is worth the extra effort. The crumb is more irregular and airy compared to a lower hydration dough.
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For finishing the oak shelf I would recommend using an oil-based polyurethane since it will get regular use with books and other items. You will want to sand up to at least two hundred twenty grit before applying the first coat. Make sure to wipe off the dust with a tack cloth between each sanding stage. I usually apply three thin coats with a foam brush and lightly sand with three hundred twenty grit between coats. The drying time is about six hours between coats but I wait overnight to be safe. One good tip is to thin the first coat with about ten percent mineral spirits so it penetrates better into the wood grain. The final result should have a smooth satin finish that highlights the oak grain nicely. Let me know if you need help figuring out how much polyurethane to buy for the shelf dimensions you described.

I also recommend using a natural bristle brush for the final coat if you want an even smoother finish. Foam brushes work well for the first coats but a bristle brush lays down a slightly thicker layer that self-levels better. Make sure to stir the polyurethane gently rather than shaking it to avoid introducing bubbles.

One more thing about the sanding between coats. I use a sanding block to keep the pressure even and I always sand in the direction of the grain. Wipe with a tack cloth and then wait about fifteen minutes before applying the next coat. This gives any dust particles time to settle out of the air in the room.