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So, we decided to change out the 30 year old formica countertops in our kitchen.

To replace them I decided to make butcher block countertops using edge grain walnut. I started with 6' - 8' long, rough walnut boards that were 1.5" - 2.5" thick. First step was running all the boards through my planer, and my jointer. Then I ripped them at 2" widths on my table saw. Next step was turning the boards edge grain up and laminating them together with Titebond 3.

I did a lot of hand planing and some sanding to get everything level and smooth after the glue up.
For the finish I used 2 coats of Waterlox satin.

Gallery

Comments

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WOW….......excellent counters!!
 

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Nice job! I like how you handled the window sill.
 

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Beautiful wood and great looking counter top….great job.
 

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Great job, love walnut. Looks really nice
 

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great work!!!! i guess it feels much better now, than the formica!!
 

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Gorgeous! I recently built an island top (my first attempt)...I would love to take another crack at it, correcting my mistakes…I would hope the end result would look like this! Great work
 

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They look great. My wife and I have decided to do the same counter tops in our kitchen once I get the cabinets built. I do have one question though, was it hard to do the end grain glue ups and how did you do them?
 

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Thanks for the comments.
They look great. My wife and I have decided to do the same counter tops in our kitchen once I get the cabinets built. I do have one question though, was it hard to do the end grain glue ups and how did you do them?

- Jason Martin
The end grain glue ups were a bit tricky. The pieces tended to shift from the viscosity of the glue as I tightened the clamps. I was constantly trying to close gaps between the board ends by tapping them back in place with a mallet. I did unfortunately end up with a few thin gaps on a couple rows that I had to fill with wood filler or glue after the fact.
 

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Nice counter tops, excellent choice of finish.
 

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Thanks, I have made plenty of butcher block cutting boards but nothing any longer than 48" so the end to end has been worrying me. The only idea I have come up with was to dowel the ends together, that way they stay in align and stay tight.
 

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very nice counter top! Waterlox seems to be the best and most popular for this application.
 
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