How to Make a Finished Butcher Block

Butcher blocks make good cutting surfaces.

Building a butcher block surface requires the use of nontoxic, surfaced and sanded strips of hardwood, such as maple, laminated together with nontoxic wood glue. Butcher block surfaces are extremely durable and are superior to other materials for food preparation. These wooden work tops can be resurfaced when scratches and cuts appear by simply planing and sanding them. Butcher block surfaces are typically inset into the main countertop to provide a long-lasting cutting surface.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-by-2-by-48-inch maple boards
• Power saw
• Nontoxic wood glue
• 48-inch bar clamps
• Cotton rags
• Glue scraper
• Jack plane
• Framing square
• Belt sander
• 120 grit sanding belt
• Mineral oil

Instructions

1. Cut the 3/4-by-2-inch maple boards to the desired length for the butcher block surface, using the power saw.

2. Apply the wood glue to one side of the 2-inch-wide surface of two maple boards and place them together with the glued surfaces facing each other. Repeat the gluing process for all of the boards needed to complete the surface of the butcher block.

3. Apply the 48-inch clamps perpendicular to the glued pieces, placing the clamps every 8 inches across the boards.

4. Turn over the glued and clamped butcher block surface and place a 48-inch clamp between each clamp previously installed. This alternating clamping process will prevent the boards from sliding and curving while the glue is drying.

5. Tighten all clamps until the glue stops squeezing out from between the maple boards and wipe off the excess glue from the bottom and top of the glued boards.

6. Allow the glue to dry overnight, then remove the clamps.

7. Use the glue scraper to remove any large pieces of dried glue from the surface.

8. Use a jack plane to smooth out the surface by sliding the jack plane across the grain (perpendicular to the glue joints).

9. Use the framing square to make sure the boards line up perfectly at both ends. Draw a line on each end of the butcher block perpendicular to the joints in the glued boards that is level with the shortest board.

10. Cut the ends of the butcher block using the power saw.

11. Sand along the grain (parallel to the glue joints) to smooth the surface using the belt sander.

12. Clean off the excess dust with a cotton rag.

13. Apply the mineral oil to the entire surface with a new cotton rag.

Tips & Warnings

• When planing the top, the jack plane will be more effective if the base of the plane is at an angle to the surface of the top. Place the plane at about 30 degrees to the butcher block surface with each stroke.

• Always wear protective safety equipment when using hand and power tools.

References

• Fine Woodworking: Smart, Stylish Cutting Boards
• ToolGirl: Board Stiff