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Project Overview:
This project requires basic woodworking skills and access to woodworking machines. Woodworking machines have sharp cutting edges and are NOT forgiving. You should be properly trained in the use of these machines.
A step-by-step PDF document is attached to guide you through the process of making this project.
This project details the steps involved in making an end grain butcher block counter top. The finished size of the counter top
26 1/2” wide and 37 ½” long. It is intended as a counter top for a kitchen island.
Producing flat and square board surfaces with parallel edges is the key to a successful project. The production process is time consuming and involves the repetition of many steps including:
glue-ups (glue provides the bond between all the joints. There are no mechanical fasteners).
flattening the boards
creating parallel surfaces.
The wood used in this project is hard maple, its grain is tight enough to limit the absorption of fluid, but not so tight that it will affect the stability of the product itself and cause cracks. Use hard maple that is knot free.
The hard maple end grain butcher block is much gentler on the knife’s cutting edge because, instead of grinding against the wood fibers, the blade will actually “squeeze” between them, thus wearing out much slower. For the same reason, the top itself wears out at a slower rate than a conventional edge-grain cutting board and does not show cut marks like an edge-grain cutting board.
After an initial seasoning with mineral oil, adding occasional applications will ensure a long life for the top.
Materials Needed:
Approximately 30 linear feet of hard maple. 2” thick and 6” to 8” wide.
Titebond 3 glue
150 grit sandpaper
Mineral oil
Tools & Equipment Needed:
8” jointer
Hand plane (preferably a low angle jointer plane).
16” flat bed drum sander (3” or 4” belt sander is an alternative).
Table saw with a cross cut sled and a very sharp blade.
Bar clamps of various lengths.
Gluing jigs.
This project requires basic woodworking skills and access to woodworking machines. Woodworking machines have sharp cutting edges and are NOT forgiving. You should be properly trained in the use of these machines.
A step-by-step PDF document is attached to guide you through the process of making this project.
This project details the steps involved in making an end grain butcher block counter top. The finished size of the counter top
26 1/2” wide and 37 ½” long. It is intended as a counter top for a kitchen island.
Producing flat and square board surfaces with parallel edges is the key to a successful project. The production process is time consuming and involves the repetition of many steps including:
glue-ups (glue provides the bond between all the joints. There are no mechanical fasteners).
flattening the boards
creating parallel surfaces.
The wood used in this project is hard maple, its grain is tight enough to limit the absorption of fluid, but not so tight that it will affect the stability of the product itself and cause cracks. Use hard maple that is knot free.
The hard maple end grain butcher block is much gentler on the knife’s cutting edge because, instead of grinding against the wood fibers, the blade will actually “squeeze” between them, thus wearing out much slower. For the same reason, the top itself wears out at a slower rate than a conventional edge-grain cutting board and does not show cut marks like an edge-grain cutting board.
After an initial seasoning with mineral oil, adding occasional applications will ensure a long life for the top.
Materials Needed:
Approximately 30 linear feet of hard maple. 2” thick and 6” to 8” wide.
Titebond 3 glue
150 grit sandpaper
Mineral oil
Tools & Equipment Needed:
8” jointer
Hand plane (preferably a low angle jointer plane).
16” flat bed drum sander (3” or 4” belt sander is an alternative).
Table saw with a cross cut sled and a very sharp blade.
Bar clamps of various lengths.
Gluing jigs.
One easy suggestion--Mix a little beeswax with the mineral oil and heat until melted. Then pour on the wood and let it soak in as you described. The wax gives a lot more protection than plain oil.
Beautiful job!!
I’ve never been so envious of anyone in my life
What a fantastic job
Nice tools as well
1) wood is NOT impervious to liquids, therefore it can and will absorb fluids from whatever you cut on it. Cut marks will absorb even more
2) the degree of penetration of fluids is predicated on the grain of the wood. select VERY tight grained/fine grained maple. Birch might also work, but not near as nice in terms of color
3) use ONLY end grain UP, as Willie stated. Using it flat will disappoint rather quickly
4) do a Good... NO, Great job of glue up. (see my remarks re: knife marks)
5) NEVER let liquids lay on the wood. Always wipe up ASAP
6) Although I Never used oil when I was a meatcutter, mineral oil appears to work well, and there are other options. MAKE SURE WHATEVER YOU USE IS FOOD GRADE!
7) If the top starts to develop cracks or you have a knife mark that is deep, consider getting the top Sanded in a large drum sander by a Pro.... worth the money.
8) Wood can NEVER be sterilized. Do NOT use bleach or other sterilents, they will taint your top. As will aromatic products like Onions, Garlic, etc....
9) Wood is no longer approved for food prep, as in a meat shop, but literally THOUSANDS are still in use. BUT EVERY DAY they get scrubbed clean, dryed, then SANDED with a scraping brush! in 18months, I took off over 4 inches of a 3x4ft Maple block (end grain) that we used Every day in a Grocery store
10) Build it as per Willies instructions, take special care of it, and enjoy it for YEARS. I have seen properly cared for Butcher Blocks that are well over 100 years old and still in use! (although there is not much remaining of them) A well made, and cared for Block is a thing of beauty, and a perfect addition to ANY kitchen! If you can find dark/ight contrasting wood, even better.
Hope I didn't offend anyone with my comments.
Thanks for adding more details. Well worth it.
Happy New Year.
Willie
Happy New Year to you!
I used those cutting boards but never built one.
I sure do appreciate how a well built one can add to the beauty of a kitchen!
keep up the good work
I advise anyone I give a cutting board to wipe it down once a month with mineral oil (not hot) and once a year treat it with hot mineral oil. It's not perfect but it works extremely well in my opinion for wooden cutting boards / butcher blocks.
This butcher block top is made from 2" thick wood, so each square foot is actually 2 board feet. The top is a little less than 13 square feet, that would be 26 board feet. (top size 26 1/2" x 37").
Bottom line, there is about $100 of hard maple in the finished product. Add another 10% in waste.
(or well insured...?)
I use my butcher block top every day and cut on it directly for everything but meat, fish or poultry. For these items I use a plastic cutting board that I place on top of the butcher block.
Because this is made with the end grain of the wood exposed, the knife cuts are barely visable. Like I said, I have used mine every day for the last 3 years and it looks better now with the patina of daily use. The one pictured is the fourth one I made. I made it especially for Instructables. I will most likely build a stand of some sort to put it on once I finish the next dozen projects I have on my "to do" list.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions.
Willie