Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 11, 2005 10:05pm | #1

   Why not make it 'drop' into a frame of some type.. Then you could remove and take it to the 'shop' for sanding and finishing.. Just me...

   You would need two lifetimes to wear it out then!

1. 
   Quickstep | May 12, 2005 03:23am | #2

   I like the drop in frame idea, but I'm too far downt he road to work that inot the plan. Besides, the top is 3 ft wide by 5-1/2ft long. I'm not likely to be humping it on and off frequently.

1. 
   zorrosdens | May 12, 2005 03:45am | #3

   Pretty funny about humping that thing around, LOL!  I believe it would be good to seal the bottom as this will help "stabilize" the large piece of wood you're installing from any changing environments effecting it.      ~Z~

   Edited 5/11/2005 8:46 pm ET by zorro

2. 
   ring | May 12, 2005 09:38am | #4

   Seal it with the varnish.

   DR

3. 
   Gretchen | May 12, 2005 06:06pm | #5

   Is it going to be used as a cutting board or just as a counter top.  The walnut oil will go rancid. Use mineral oil.  I don't think you need to do anything to the bottom.

   Gretchen
4. 
   HowardAcheson | May 12, 2005 07:21pm | #6

   Rather than Walnut Oil I would use a mixture of mineral oil and paraffin. That's what most commercial butcher's blocks are treated with. It is a completely inert treatment and avoids the possilbity of the walnut oil becoming rancid.

   Heat the mineral oil in a double boiler or microwave and sort of shave in the paraffin. The percentage is not real critical. About 6-8 parts of mineral oil to one part paraffin works. Brush it on warm and let it set overnight. Do it again the next day and again if it will accept more. When it won't accept any more mixture, ligthly scrap off any residue and wipe briskly with a soft cloth to get a little luster. Repeat when the surface looks dry.

   You can either use varnish or the above treatment on the underside.

   Howie.........
1. 
   WillGeorge | May 17, 2005 09:30pm | #8

   paraffin works.. YA BET!

   I have seen hardwood floors about 100 years old that were polished with nothing but elbow grease and paraffin.. They were BEAUTIFUL.. It was a reform school I was in long ago...  LOL  True.. Gee I was just a stupid kid!

5. 
   JohnWW | May 13, 2005 12:42am | #7

   Oil offers very little resistance to the wood gaining and losing moisture, but it can't hurt to oil the bottom surface to keep the finish on the two sides even.  I would not varnish the bottom, that would cause the top and bottom to absorb moisture quite differently, leading to possible warpage. 

   If there is already a top on the base cabinet that will also affect moisture exchange since the sub-top will block air from reaching the underside of the butcher block which can cause warpage problems the same as an unbalanced finish. 

   If the top of the base cabinet is open, why not just screw four corner blocks to the underside of the new top to keep it in position, that would be far easier to do than gluing down the top with silicone and you could lift off the top in the future without a hassle.

   John W.