The Cutting Board

[smokingd]

So I have always wanted a nice butcher block for attacking my meat. Thought while I am in school (apprentice carpenter) I am going to make one. Just thought I would share a quick pick of the almost done product with you.




The whole thing is 29"L-24"W-36"h Bottom shelf is 10" of the floor. All blonde wood is maple and the darker is walnut (wonder how that would taste, but is processed lumber so not going to try) I am putting a drawer in the upper piece. Pondering a knife block and paper towel holder too.

Thanks for looking

 

[fire it up]

Looking good Dennis, I hope you will post some pics when you are chopping into a nice hunk of soon to be smoked goodness.

 

[slanted88]

Attachment 21455 Man Damn!.....Ya got a fine piece there!

 

[irishteabear]

Nice job, Dennis. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished table being used.

 

[pineywoods]

That looks awesome don't forget to update as you go I wanna see it finished

 

[werdwolf]

That is nice looking. Will you be putting a finish on the cutting surface, and if so what?

 

[smokingd]

Sorry should have thought of that. I am finishing top with mineral oil heated with beeswax and the non-food touching parts just a nice clear coat

 

[countrysmoked]

Nice work I wish I had the skills to make something from wood that looks that good.

 

[scubadoo97]

Great looking butcher block island. Looks like maple.

The mineral oil and beeswax is what I use on my cutting boards. Seals them nicely and gives a nice satin feel that keeps liquid out.

 

[rivet]

BE-AH-OOOTIFUL! Paper towel holder a must, how about a knife sharpener too?

 

[rickw]

Real nice work.

 

[shooterrick]

nice very nice!

 

[carpetride]

Well I think it has all already been said but...nice job! A towel holder would look right at home on the end. A knife holder running along the back or one end would be pretty slick as well. Not that you really need any advice!

 

[lennyluminum]

looks really good!! I think just a cut out in the top to stick the knife into would work out nicely. maybe even a knife magnet on the wall you put this against. just mt thoughts nice work

 

[ncdodave]

Dennis,
I made lots of cutting boards and block when I was in H.S. We never used beeswax for part of the finish. just use lots of mineral oil and for the first month or 2 you'll need to add more mineral oil once a week, after that once a month for heavy use and once every 6 months for light use. If you use bees wax what ever you do use fresh unprocessed wax sold by a local bee keeper. the bees wax used for wood finishing has additives that are not suitable for human consumption. BTW bees wax is my favorite finish for wood.

 

[mballi3011]

I also have made many pieces of furniture along with cutting boards in fact one like yours we use as a center island in the kitchen. I use a Boo's Block on the top to protect the island top (maple also) and keep it looking good. it's looks like you have done quite a fine job there. I like the way you accented the table with the walnut, it's also a nice looking hardwood. I would use just mineral oil on your cutting surface for health safety issues. So congrats on a fine job dennis.
PS. I cut a slot in the top of mine (about 3/16") for knifes it give it a nice look.

 

[mrh]

Looks real nice. Might be a good 4-H project for my son to try in the near future!

 

[pops6927]

Great looking block top! You'll get years of use out of that! I've always used mineral oil as described above back when they were allowed in meatrooms (now it's all impervious planisan boards). We'd resand 'em down once every 6 months too with a belt sander to get the nicks and chops out of them from knives and cleavers (in the full butcher blocks, 4' deep) and once every couple years use a router with jigs to relevel the tops.

 

[davenh]

Great looking table! I like the butcher block

.


Another coating option for ya. I used 100% pure Tung Oil on my BB top and cutting boards. Makes a nice durable, food grade finish. Holds up great. I cut the first 3 coats 50% with a citrus solvent for good penetration, then 3 more coats of undiluted 100% Tung Oil.

Links to Oil and solvent.

http://www.realmilkpaint.com/oil.html

http://www.realmilkpaint.com/citrus.html

Surface after 5yrs, neither has been re-coated yet. The cutting board could use a new coat or two. Both were cut from the same slab.

 

[smokingd]

I got it home still a little rough sanded with 220 grit sand paper then progressed to 1000 grit


Drawer is 4.5 inch deep maple good oneside plywood with a walnut trim to hide plywood edge





Hand tooled the papertowel holder (kinda prouded of that one)



Room for stuff


Had to show you the paper towel





All that is left is the clear coat (non food surfaces) and mineral oil/beeswax