Safety Speed Cut Thermwood Corporation ECabinet Systems

Cabinetmaking

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Walnut butcher block island top.

5/3/18       
shawn fender  Member

I’m doing a kitchen, and the homeowner is interested in a walnut endgrain top for the island. The dimensions are around 66”x42”. It will have a drop in dual fuel range.

I plan to do the glue up in 3”x3” blocks, staggered and alternating grain, 1 1/2” thick, using west system for the open time. I then plan to seal the pores with epoxy, letting it wick in, and sanding the top layer back off, so that the surface will still take some oil. My thinking is this will help keep it stable in case liquids are left standing for any amount of time.

I know historically threaded rods were installed through many of the better butcher block tops. Are these necessary with today’s adhesives? We have come a long way since hide glue.

If my thinking is off in any way, or anyone has some advice to offer, please comment. I think this too would compliment the space beautifully. I just don’t want to be remaking it in a couple years.

5/3/18       #2: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
rich c.

My opinion, you'll have trouble with the 3x3 blocks. Harder to get good kiln dried thick stock, and likely more movement in the wood if it gets too close to the pith. I will not use steel to try and tame the rules of nature. After the wood swells in the summer a couple of times, the wood cells under the nuts and washers are crushed. Unless the customer loosens and tightens the nuts with seasonal change, they will become useless. That's why I provide a "lug wrench" to tighten bed bolts.

5/3/18       #3: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
Adam

3x3 are too big.

We use 8/4 material. Epoxy it together. Nothing else holds it together.

5/3/18       #4: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
shawn fender  Member

I definitely appreciate the comments. I’ll plan on downsizing it to 1 1/2” blocks.
I can see where the 3”’s would increase movement and kill stability. And 8/4” is a heck of a lot cheaper these days, so that’s another positive. 12/4 is around $10 a bd ft at my local place. It’s almost a sin to just chop that up into little pieces.

Thanks guys.

5/3/18       #5: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
Keith Newton

It sounds like you are planning to just cut little blocks that you try to corral some way.
If I were you, I would edge glue some 8/4, then cut them into short pieces the thickness of the top, then glue those together, either book matching, or mixing them up from opposite ends.

For this, I think you could use TB 3 and may get a better joint than epoxy.

As for the thin penetrating epoxy, I'm sold on the Smith CPES. It soaks in better than any other that I've tried, especially that which I've thinned down myself. When I use it, I'm already sanded at least to 150, then only go to 220 after it's dry. Then one coat of Minwax wipe on looks like about 8 or more coats of normal wipe on.

The above mentioned product is expensive, but for what it saves in the following schedule, it's worth it.

A couple of years ago, I had finished a table top veneered with fiddleback Sapele that I had first sealed with Smith's CPES, then followed with SWP pre-cat. I was away for a long weekend, then came home to find I'd had a roof leak two days earlier that left a big puddle on on the top. I was dumbstruck when I saw it, expecting to have to start over. But when I wiped it dry, I was laughing out loud when I could't even tell there was any evidence.

I'd soak / seal both sides, and make sure it is well supported underneath because all the short grain with that big cutout hanging on it will need all the help it can get.

5/3/18       #6: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
shawn fender  Member

Keith-

I definitely plan to glue up and cross cut as much as I can. I’m not ambitious enough to mess with the small blocks.

I was just reading up on the smith product, and that sounds like some good stuff. Perfect for what I’m looking for actually. They call out a schedule for sealing, sanding, and applying an oil finish. The homeowners are really looking for that oil rubbed look, and they plan to maintain it, but I feel much more comfortable knowing something has penetrated those end pores. I know how messy I can get when I cook.

I do quite a bit of restoration stuff as well, and can see using this product a lot in the future. I definitely appreciate it.

5/4/18       #7: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
Adam

Use epoxy as the glue.

5/4/18       #8: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
Leo G Member

West System will wick into the wood as long as you keep applying it.

5/7/18       #9: Walnut butcher block island top. ...
Cajun Craftsman Member

I think you're on the right track. Glue your boards up with some semblance of a pattern. TB III is the glue most cutting board makers use. It has a longer open time than TB II. I too have been using Smith's CPES for years. It is an excellent primer for all paints and varnishes. So much so, they have rebranded it as "Multi Wood Prime". It also stabilizes deteriorating bricks and concrete. Make sure you do all sides with the CPES to keep it balanced. West Systems does not penetrate like Smith's. Smith's also has 2 types of epoxy glues. The oily wood epoxy glue contradicts all you have ever heard about wiping down with solvents before gluing. Their glue actually uses the oils in the wood to its advantage. Steve Smith is one smart cookie. I can't say enough about their products.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Limtech Industries, Inc. Lamello