Josephi Marsdon wrote:

snip

How many coats should I put on so the varnish doesn't
flake off?

It's like fairing out a boat.

When your arms feel like they are going to drop off, you're done.

Seriously, I'd put 3-4 coats of epoxy on first, totally encapsulating
the wood, followed by 4-6 coats of varnish.

The varnish protects the epoxy, the epoxy protects the wood.

Lew