Butcher Block Work Countertops
Kitchen furniture can send you back a bit of money, especially if you are thinking of getting a style called the butcher block Countertops. The truth is, it’s not that difficult to come up with your own, and you can do so for half the price it would cost to buy one from the store.
Making your own butcher block will also ensure you of the quality of the piece, especially since it will be one of the most frequently used areas of your kitchen. Butcher block tables are similar in design, but you can differentiate and personalize it by your choice of the block surface.
First, you have to gather your materials. For the wood materials, you are going to need 4 pieces of 10-foot Douglas firewood, measuring 2 feet by 4 feet and preferably kiln dried. You will also need a hardwood piece that is one inch by two inches and measuring around 12 feet.
For preparing the wood, get hold of wood clamps, a table saw or a skill saw, measuring tape, a T-square, 0000-grade steel wool, and assorted sandpaper sheets that range from 100 to 200 grit. You will also need to buy mineral spirits, spar varnish, a varnish brush, and an Epoxy resin and hardener kit. Also make sure you have your safety gear ready for working with wood and chemicals, such as a respirator, latex gloves and safety glasses.
Now that you’re all geared up, you can start constructing your own butcher block table. Start with the Douglas firs, dividing the 10 foot pieces in parts measuring 30 inches each. These will be the legs of the table. These will make pairs to create cross-members that measure 60 inches, serving as the foundation of the work table.
Use the hardwood pieces for the work table surface. Going with the side grain, cut the hardwood into pieces measuring one inch by two inches. Lay the hardwood bands side by side. Doing this will certainly provide a sturdy working surface by positioning the most rigid parts of the wood correctly.
Next, clamp the table surface pieces together and binds them using the resin and hardener. Work in pairs, clamping and gluing two pieces at a time until you come up with a work surface measuring 24 inches by 60 inches. By working carefully, you will come up with a solid surface that will withstand years of rough use.
Give the resin and hardener enough time to be completely dry before applying the finish. Using the 10 grit sandpaper, sand the work surface thoroughly, removing all the leftover resin and hardener and guaranteeing a flat table top. Next, mix equal amounts of spar varnish and mineral spirits and apply it to the countertop. Allow it to completely dry to make sure your table top is water resistant. When dry, sand it lightly with the 220 grit sandpaper sheet.
Next, mix one part of mineral spirits to 3 parts of varnish, and coat the work surface with this solution. Again, allow to be thoroughly dry before sanding lightly with the 220 grit sandpaper sheet. As a final finish, apply a coat of pure spar varnish and rub with the steel wool for a smooth surface.
You now have a basic butcher block countertop to put in your kitchen. To personalize your block, you can research on designs and styles and apply them on your own.
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