> I have done test projects both ways (with a sealer coat of epoxy
> and without). The only noticable differences were...

> 1. The un-sealed project had a lot more bubbles comming up under
> the glass. I was out there popping them every 15 minutes for hours,
> and I did miss some.

Applying the epoxy in falling temperatures will eliminate the outgassing that causes bubbles

> 2. The un-sealed project used more extra epoxy on the glassing
> step than the sealed project used on the sealer coat.

Since the glass provides a source for more epoxy for the wood to keep absorbing, it is understandable that the wood will absorb more epoxy. As a result you will need to add more epoxy to replace that which is absorbed. If you kept adding epoxy to the bare wood until it stop absorbing, you would end up applying similar amounts.

The fully absorbed wood will be heavier and stronger.