DIY Network

Butcher Block Table: Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-506

The eye-catching pattern of contrasts and colors make this functional butcher-block table an elegant addition for any kitchen.

With the tabletop made and the base assembled, the final steps in the creation of the butcher-block table include detailing the tabletop, attaching the top to the base and applying a wood finish.

Materials:

Drum sander
Table router
Random-orbital sander
Cordless drill; screwdriver attachment
5/8-inch Forstner bit
Hand scraper
Salad-bowl wood finish
Figure-8 fasteners
Paint brushes
Rags
0000-grade steel wool

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when
working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions.

Tabletop -- Final Prep

• Use a scraper to remove any excess glue from the fully dried tabletop, then run the top piece through the drum sander to flatten the surfaces (figure A). This process may take a little while. To ensure full coverage, rotate the stock.

• After smoothing both surfaces at the drum sander, clean up the sides with trim-cuts at the table saw.

• Radius the edges of the tabletop at the table router using a 3/16-inch radius bit to soften all of the edges of the top (figure B).

• Smooth the end-grain, and remove any leftover saw-marks, using a random-orbital sander (figure C).

Attaching the Tabletop

The top will be attached to the base using three figure-8 metal fasteners along each side of the base, and two for each end (figure D). Although the tabletop is made by laminating many small blocks, it may still expand and contract along the width of the grain just as if it were a solid piece of wood. To avoid cupping or warping of the top piece, the figure-8 fasteners are used and will allow for wood movement while holding the top securely to the base.