Building a butcher block.?
Question:If I were to try to build my own butcher block, what kind of wood should I use?
Answers:
Hard maple. Any butcher block I've seen is maple. The reason is it is a tight grain. Oak would NOT be a good option, it is open grained and food would get into the surface and be hard to clean.
A Hardwood is best, OAK works well. At a length, width you pre determine 2 x 4 Oak is acceptable. Each plank should be planed to allow a tight Butt fit.
You can Just glue, or drill all the way through with an extended bit, allowing bolting. Clamp well with wood clamps, allow to set, remove all the clamps, sand the top at least, smooth, then seal and finish. If it's to be used; the issue will arise with clear coats and food coming in contact. If not sealed; the issue is leaching of food fluids into the grain of the wood. If it's more a decorative piece those issues may not matter.
Steven Wolf
Any hardwood with a really tight grain, Maple or Beech would be my choices.
My father-in-law built me a butcher block out of old hockey stick handles. He sanded out all the lettering/paint and then laminated/glued them together and then cut the final piece to size. It lasted for years!
my choice would be hard maple...finished with a few coats of mineral oil rubbed in.
Just in case you tire of this idea, Ikea sells butcher block cheap, it's not the greatest but may be suitable, they offer a few different kinds of wood it's really really cheap, and you can finish it however you want.
Hi, My friend works at a local sawmill.People are always asking him to bring them home a piece of white solid oak...They say this makes the best butcher block/cutting boards..They just put clear poly on them and they turn out beautiful.
White solid Oak
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