Slm220 Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 I was asked to build a extremely large Butcher Block Table( 90in x 48in ). I was wondering what species of wood I should use to keep the cost down while maintaining a durable table top. This table will be for a family with a lot of kids if that means anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Lots of factors to consider. Light or dark color? Are you planning on staining, painting, or going natural? What are the budget constraints? Do you have the tools to do a table that size? Welcome to the forums! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slm220 Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 I was planning on staining. As far as tools, I have the clamps and I will build a sled for my router to flatten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 28 minutes ago, Slm220 said: I was planning on staining. As far as tools, I have the clamps and I will build a sled for my router to flatten. What's the goal color? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slm220 Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 A mid dark red brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Ash stains well and is generally pretty cheap. Or just use cherry and skip the stain. I bet the extra cost in lumber will be offset by the saved labor time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 If you can pick a lumber and avoid the staining, you'd be better off. Repairs are much easier and the finishing process doesn't take nearly as long. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 An end grain slab that size will need to be pretty thick, or have a good support structure under it. Do you have any design plans that you can share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slm220 Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Sorry, no plans as of yet. The original goal was to be a 3 inch thick top. I'm flirting with the idea of using steel for the support structure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 If you haven't ever made a butcher block top do some smaller practice pieces first ! Practice flattening too ! You are looking at a fairly serious project. That size top at 2" or 3" thick is more than one man can muscle around . Dye will give you much better results than stain. Sprayed will be more uniform but it can be done by hand. Poplar might be more affordable depending on what part of the country you are in. Play with dying a sample before you commit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown craftsman Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 That's a very complicated build if your going end grain.Long grain with the cutting board look still going challenge a well outfitted shop. Makes me think your really pushing the limits of your ability since your asking about wood choice. Nothing wrong with that. Id skip he idea of staining and just go for Walnut. It will be the right color it easy to work and it's very stable if it's properly dried. Aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slm220 Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 To be honest I want to go with walnut. I'm just trying to make it more affordable for my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 This one is 74" x 42" from ikea for less than $300. I know, just saying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Nothing wrong with a steel undercarriage, so long as it is attached to allow seasonal wood movement, and has some support in the middle, not just around the edges. If I were doing this in end grain, I would start by making a flat work table large enough to support the entire top + the rails for a router sled. Could be temporary, but must be flat. I would also make the top in smaller sections, then glue up the sections to make the whole. I'd make things maybe 1/2" to 1" thicker than planned to accomodate the flattening process. This won't be cheap, but could be pretty awsome once it is done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrrhode04 Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 My first question to clear up what seems to be a confusing topic here is what grain orientation are you going to be using? Are you going to using long grain like a butcher block counter top or are you using end grain like a butchers chopping block? I made this island top out of edge grain white oak and dyed to look like walnut. I ended up using dye because none of the stains I tried even came close to looking like walnut. The dimensions are 36" x 48" x 1.5". Like you I would have rather used Walnut but the customer didn't have the money for that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slm220 Posted July 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 I am using long grain similar to a countertop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 May want to look at ,, Project Journals here on the forum and find..Kitchen Remodel / CounterTop Build.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown craftsman Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 A long grain top that's size is not nearly as bad as end grain. Good luck Aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Walnut will cost you a fortune. I second Mike's suggestion to use ash. Red oak would be another cheap option. They both take stain well and they're hard enough to be suitable for a table. Just beware that they both have large pores and will look terrible under a heavy film finish, especially if it's glossy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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