Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Jan 29, 2006 07:38pm | #1

   The following is some info from a write up I did about building a true endgrain butcher block.  Most of the info is relevent to making an endgrain cutting board.

   There is a little engineering that needs to be considered when building an end grain butcher block. First, choose wood where the growth rings (viewed from the end) run as close to 90 degrees or parallel to one edge. Remember, the expansion/contraction is about double along the annular rings verses perpendicular to the rings. You've got to keep the grain running in the same direction as you glue up your strips. In other words, don't glue a flatsawn edge to a quartersawn edge.

   Next, the way butcher blocks are made is to glue up strips of wood like you were making a laminated type cutting board. These laminated panels are then run through a planer to flatten them and bring them to equal thickness. Then the panel is crosscut into strips of blocks equal to the thickness that you want the butcher block to be. These block strips are then glued together again keeping the grain running in the same directions.

   Not paying attention to the grain orientation will lead to the block cracking and/or joints being pulled apart.

   A type II adhesive will work just fine however, you need to be sure you do everything right to get good adhesion. Your glue faces should be flat and freshly cut. It they were cut more than a few days earlier, freshen them up with about three swipes with 320 sandpaper and block to keep the faces flat.

   Finally, as to the wood.  Mahogany is rather soft and white oak, while hard, tends to absorb stuff due to its large pores.  Maybe more important is that there is a large difference in their coefficients of expansion/contraction.  This will put a large strain on your joints and there could be problems down the road.

   Howie.........

   
   

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   Edited 1/30/2006 5:39 pm ET by HowardAcheson

1. 
   BKmountain | Jan 29, 2006 07:48pm | #2

   Thank you for that info.  I will be sure and keep all the grain parallel.  I hadn't thought about the two woods expanding at different rates so mabey I'll just use one or the other and not combine them. 

    

     thanks again, Brock