Newbie Guidance

check out this on the butcher block if you haven’t already.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1344664476/bclid1344578261/bctid1344569467

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1344664476/bclid1344578261/bctid1344594037

Welcome Josh! After reading your post, you have come to the right place for the help you are looking for. A great group of woodworkers willing to help. Take some photo’s as you go along and keep us informed as to your progress on the log home. Have fun and work safe.

-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota

First let me say welcome to LJ,
This is my .02 here so others may say different. Not to long ago I priced a job with a 6” think Butcher block end grain top. The price I got for the top was $2000.00 for a 72”x30” top. So then I started thinking what it would take to make the top my self and make some of the 2k for my self to sell it to the customer. Well I figured how many blocks would be in the top (2×2 squares) and figured how much wood I would need. And let me tell you. For what I was getting the wood for and what they were selling it for I was not going to make anything. I had about 1800.00 in just material for that top.

If you ask me this would be the best way to make one. Go the the http://thewoodwhisperer.com/ Look for episode 7 in his videos and just do the same steps but on a bigger scale.

Remember Oak has a tendinitises to turn black when it gets wet. So if your Butcher block top oil wears off and you get it wet you may see it turn on you.

Here is a website with different tops made with different woods http://www.blocktop.net/page2.html

Good Luck
Justin

Welcome to LJ’s, End grain is hardest, looks great, but edge grain works fine

-- Pretzel L8agn

The hardest part is getting started!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Congratulations Josh. Who did your log package? There are about 20 log home builders here in the Bitterroot Valley, not all of which are handcrafted log home manufacturers of course.

-- Hutch, Montana

Welcome to Lumber Jocks. I might add that I think I would use Hard Maple for the block. Oak smells bad and will turn black with age. It is also what we use to tan leather so it is full of tannin. On the other hand we all know what maple syrup tastes like.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Welcome, welcome! I’m voting for the end grain. I remember reading or being told (can’t remember that part) that oak wasn’t good for butcher blocks or cutting board surfaces. I’m probably wrong.

Make sure to send us pictures!!!

~DB

-- Happy Ripping!!!