Butcher Block Counter Top

View · by **engnerdan** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 8:39 am

Does anybody know where to get sections of butcher block counter top for reasonable prices? Finished or unfinished does not mater. I am looking to replace the top on my reloading bench, as my choice of materials is not strong enough and is flexing.

Old bowling ally would work too if I could find that.

-Dan

View · by **JoeH** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:13 am

Two sheets of 3/4" plywood, glued and screwed. (channeling 1911fan).

View · by **mrp** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:52 am

engnerdan wrote:Does anybody know where to get sections of butcher block counter top for reasonable prices? Finished or unfinished does not mater. I am looking to replace the top on my reloading bench, as my choice of materials is not strong enough and is flexing.

Old bowling ally would work too if I could find that.

-Dan

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/m ... 31415.html

View · by **timwarner** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:59 am

2 sheets of 3/4" plywood works fine for me, worse case throw a 3/8" 316ss top on it.
Then you wouldn't have to run the bolts all the way through for your presses, just drill and tap the steel.

View · by **Shipyard** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:06 am

A solid wood door wales the best Damn bench. Craigs list is your friend.

View · by **Stradawhovious** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:11 am

I used a 3/4" sheet of HDF, sealed it and braced the hell out of it with 2x4s.

Works great.

View · by **jdege** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:54 am

engnerdan wrote:Does anybody know where to get sections of butcher block counter top for reasonable prices? Finished or unfinished does not mater. I am looking to replace the top on my reloading bench, as my choice of materials is not strong enough and is flexing.

Old bowling ally would work too if I could find that.

-Dan

Ikea sells counter top in oak, birch, and beech:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/10472/

I'd pick the beech. Birch is too soft, and oak has open pores.

Alternatively, try gluing up three layers of 3/4" MDF, and then top with a sacrificial layer of 1/4" hardboard.

View · by **engnerdan** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:23 pm

jdege wrote:Ikea sells counter top in oak, birch, and beech:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/10472/

I'd pick the beech. Birch is too soft, and oak has open pores.

Alternatively, try gluing up three layers of 3/4" MDF, and then top with a sacrificial layer of 1/4" hardboard.

Oh why can they not have the damn thing in something 72" long or longer. I currently have 2 pieces if 3/4 mdf gorialla glued together and painted. The SOB flexes. The base framework does not go edge to edge but I really did not want to build a new base but maybe that is what I should do.

The bowling alley is tempting as I would like one piece for the top of my tool box and one for my reloading bench.

-Dan

View · by **farmerj** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:51 pm

96" isn't long enough?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10146525/

you can always route in some connection pockets and put two of them together with counter clamps.

View · by **JoeH** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:14 pm

Brado should show his bench. You could park a truck on it.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk

View · by **westhope** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:26 pm

Glue & screw two 2x4's (or even 2x6's) on edge under where your press mounts.

Maybe another 3/4 inch plywood under your mdf (glued) with the above braces. You don't need to stiffen your whole top. Only the portion under your press and then anchor that part of the bench to the wall or floor.

I assume you are anchoring your table to the wall or floor. Put a brace in the back of the top so you can anchor the top into the wall.

I'm forming obsolete rifle cases on my press with the above bracing and my table top is 2 layers of 1/2 inch USB with 1/4 tempered masonite (glued) on a metal $60 Menard's work bench and it is very stiff. I do anchor it to the wall studs directly behind where the press is on the bench.

View · by **engnerdan** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 3:29 pm

farmerj wrote:96" isn't long enough?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10146525/

you can always route in some connection pockets and put two of them together with counter clamps.

That link says 49.5"

View · by **DanM** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:09 pm

engnerdan wrote:
farmerj wrote:96" isn't long enough?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10146525/

you can always route in some connection pockets and put two of them together with counter clamps.

That link says 49.5"

The size selector displays 49 5/8", but it is a drop-down menu with a 96 7/8" length choice that you can select. 8-)

View · by **engnerdan** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:27 pm

DanM wrote:
engnerdan wrote:
farmerj wrote:96" isn't long enough?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10146525/

you can always route in some connection pockets and put two of them together with counter clamps.

That link says 49.5"

The size selector displays 49 5/8", but it is a drop-down menu with a 96 7/8" length choice that you can select.

That is interesting I got nothing like that here. Both on my phone and my computer. Must be some compatibility problem with my computer. I will swing by Ikea tomorrow. But I think the bowling alley may be a better value and I am waiting for a reply on that one.

To the previous question, no my bench is not attached to the wall but I was planning on making an attempt this weekend. If I did that then all I would need is a leg down to the floor which is not problem. Then I would not end up wasting the money on a really cool new top to my bench. More money for bullets.

-Dan

View · by **farmerj** on Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:38 pm

$59 for a 96" countertop. Pretty cheap to me.

what's it gonna cost from bowling alley. Last operator I talked to, they put in laminates years ago and haven't had the maintenance issues of sanding / lacquer finishing