| Project by timtan34c | posted 1869 days ago | 1388 views | 5 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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I completed this butcher block cabinet about 2 weeks ago, and got the inspiration from 2 sources – the wood whisperer (end grain cutting boards) and David Marks’ butcher block table featured in one of his DIY woodworks episodes.
The top is larger than David’s design; it’s about 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep – a nice size for a single person to work at, and just enough counter space. You are probably wondering why I would put a semi-gloss finish on the top? Well, my parents want it as a piece for a corner in the house, so I thought I would spend a little time practising my varnishing skills for a semi-gloss look.
I used 7 types of wood on it – purpleheart, black walnut, yellowheart, ash, mahoganey, jatoba, maple and cherry.
Flattening the top was a major pain!! I have a 22-44 performax drum sander, but still had to use router rails to slowly but surely flatten one side before drum sanding the other. Touched it up with a Lie-Nielsen 7 1/2 bevel up jointer plane. Planing end grain is difficult and abrasive on the plane blade.
The face frame is made of purpleheart (a major pain to plane, I might add), and the drawer fronts are made of ambrosia maple. Made a little effort to match the grain on the drawers + doors as well. The cabinet is finished with shellac (3 coats) via my Apollo HVLP spray unit, and rubbed out to a satin sheen with Howard’s feed n wax.
And yes, I did use casters – double locking ones – they put a strong brake on the wheel plus a lock on the swivel. They actually cost about $20 a piece from Linco Casters at Clairemont Mesa Blvd (next to the San Diego Rockler); They really do look a little utilitarian, but those were the best I could find in terms of durability and stability. Those red shop-grade ones at woodcraft were too tacky for my taste.
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13 comments so far
Woodshopfreak
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389 posts in 1910 days
#1 posted 1869 days ago
That looks really cool. I love the contrast.
-- Tyler, Illinois
gator9t9
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#2 posted 1869 days ago
I love this …oh yes great job …..thanks …
-- Mike in Bonney Lake " If you are real real real good your whole life, You 'll be buried in a curly maple coffin when you die."
Scott Bryan
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#3 posted 1869 days ago
Tim,
This is a very interesting cabinet. You have a lot of different species of wood in it that create a visual interest. This piece will be the focal point of the room without a doubt.
Thanks for the post.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
Doug S.
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295 posts in 1876 days
#4 posted 1869 days ago
Very nice! Couldn’t agree more on the PITA purpleheart. I have a LN 5-1/2 with the high angle frog. It’s the only one I own with a steep enough angle not to leave moon craters and even that needs cleanup from scrapers.
-- Use the fence Luke
motthunter
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#5 posted 1869 days ago
looks great. interesting use of multiple woods
-- making sawdust....
Bob A in NJ
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#6 posted 1869 days ago
Stunning project, lots of appeal. Kinda screams, come over, look at and touch me! Tons of visual interest, shapes,colors, contrasts! The PITA purpleheart and other woods are tough to machine, but, boy, do theyever “deliver” now that the poject is done. I’d like to make one, how much time did you invest? I think this is now my favorite project in the past several weeks. Well done sir! Oh yea, one more thing, enter it into a woodworking art show.
-- Bob A in NJ
BarryW
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1013 posts in 2074 days
#7 posted 1868 days ago
A visually amazing cabinet.
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
odie
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#8 posted 1868 days ago
WOW… What a beaut. That top would make most of us say uncle when it came time to flatten.
-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)
CharlieM1958
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#9 posted 1868 days ago
That will be a conversation piece for many years to come.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
jockmike2
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#10 posted 1868 days ago
Very unique cabinet, I like all the color. It makes a stunning visual contrast. mike
-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -
GaryK
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#11 posted 1868 days ago
That’s a great looking top on there!
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
John Gray
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#12 posted 1865 days ago
GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
Dan'um Style
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#13 posted 1745 days ago
I like it very much
welcome to lumberjocks
-- keeping myself entertained
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