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Butcher Block workbench top...

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mattc119

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
12
I really like the look of the beech wood. In 49"x 25" that would make for a great moveable work surface.
 

autopts

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,268
Guys,
I just recently moved. I left my particle bench top work bench in the rain for several nights. is this really going to cost me $350 to replace?
http://www.mcmaster.com/#butcher-block-workbench-tops/=cx7y12

What are the alternatives to replace it?

Kind regards,
Rick

I've probably had 50 Mapletop benches come my way. I always listed them on CL for $35-$50 depending on condition. The undersides are almost always nice. Put a WTB listing on CL for one.
 

Hammer1963

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Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
2,048
Location
Kentucky
If you have a Lumber Liquidators near you, look into the mix and match maple flooring and make your own top by cutting, clamping and finishing the top yourself. It's an economical way of making a 1 1/2" - 2' Thick top. I've done a couple and have been really pleased with the results.
 

acamato

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
67
Location
Long Island, NY
Lumber Liquidators also sells butcher black countertops (maple & cherry) in 8' & 12" lengths. They are on their website under "Molding & Acessories".
 

Jack Olsen

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Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
6,678
Location
Los Angeles
Yeah. McMaster-Carr is great -- but pricey. Drive to an Ikea or a Lumber Liquidators for new butcher block. Watch ebay for used.

If you just need a bench top though, there are much cheaper ways to do it. A used solid core door makes a great bench. If you've got a Habitat for Humanity store near you, they often have these at great prices.

Or just put on two layers of 3/4" plywood. If you want it extra pretty, get the cabinet grade stuff.
 

darkk

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Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Messages
3,361
Location
Willimantic, Ct.
Yeah. McMaster-Carr is great -- but pricey. Drive to an Ikea or a Lumber Liquidators for new butcher block. Watch ebay for used.

If you just need a bench top though, there are much cheaper ways to do it. A used solid core door makes a great bench. If you've got a Habitat for Humanity store near you, they often have these at great prices.

Or just put on two layers of 3/4" plywood. If you want it extra pretty, get the cabinet grade stuff.
I have a solid oak Confrence room door. 36"x84" it has a door knob hole in it but for free! who cares...
 

NAYLOR

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
187
If you just need a bench top though, there are much cheaper ways to do it. A used solid core door makes a great bench. If you've got a Habitat for Humanity store near you, they often have these at great prices.

I've built a lot of work benches with solid doors. Lowes sells them for about $50 a pop which isn't bad. I want to say the part number for the doors we use is 10805.
 

Homespun91

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
21
Location
Peoria, IL (more or less)
Check Craigslist, or your local bowling alley- for sections of alley lanes that have been torn out when they closed, or remodeled, or switched to synthetic.

I just trailered home sections of lanes from two different alleys today. The sections range from 13" to 30" wide, 12' -16' long, and 1" to 1 1/2" thick. Laminated hard maple. There are holes in a couple of sections where they were screwed down with lags, but I don't anticipate many problems working around them. Most of it was free, except for gas.

One of the alleys is replacing their pin pads...same stuff, but 42" x 42" squares, and about 3 1/2" thick from the looks. I'll grab some of these when I have the 18 yr. old son to help...builds his character. :) They weigh 225 lb. according to the manager. The pin pads are $25 apiece.
 
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RickP330

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Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Messages
831
Location
Middle Island, NY
Check Craigslist, or your local bowling alley- for sections of alley lanes that have been torn out when they closed, or remodeled, or switched to synthetic.

I had a bite from a wanted add. Turns out this guy had 8 sections from a bowling alley he sold a while ago, but had one left he couldn't sell, it has some damage. I figure I can get a good 6' x 3.5' top out of it. Here are the pics and it's $100.00. What do you think? Worth it? It is pine, isn't that a little soft? Maple tops this size are close to $375 when you add shipping.
Kind regards,
Rick
 

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RickP330

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Apr 12, 2007
Messages
831
Location
Middle Island, NY
I've built a lot of work benches with solid doors. Lowes sells them for about $50 a pop which isn't bad. I want to say the part number for the doors we use is 10805.

That is a great idea, but I would like something nicer then a door for the workbench.....
RP
 

Defender Chassis

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Joined
Dec 7, 2007
Messages
1,129
Location
Williamstown, WV
Where sir are you from? That place is 10mins from my house. Didn't think they were that widely known!

I am located in the Marietta, OH / Parkersburg, WV area. They used to sell butcherblock on ebay. I had them make me a 10' piece of hard maple 24" wide and I picked it up. I made a day trip out of it and stopped by Summit Motorsports in Tallmadge and TP Tools which was very close to Baird Bros.
 

ARAMP1

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
623
Location
Memphis, TN
I've always thought about getting some threaded rod and stacking 2x4s together, bolting them and sanding it flat to make a surface that I don't care about pounding on or scratching up.
 

PT Doc

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
3,197
I've always thought about getting some threaded rod and stacking 2x4s together, bolting them and sanding it flat to make a surface that I don't care about pounding on or scratching up.[/QUOTE

With enough bolts that would work out well. Would the studs need to be planed first? Cost would be reasonable. Threaded rod that would be 30" long would add to the cost. Weight would add up quickly.
 

sporty_drew

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 5, 2010
Messages
248
Location
Iowa
How deep of a bench do you guys have? I've seen alot of 24" tops and was thinking something a bit deeper would be better.
 

KEH

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
5,142
Rickp330,

That dosen't look like pine to me with the different colors. If it is pine, there is no way I would pay $100 for it. I would take the $100 and apply it to a maple top at your local lumber yard. The last time I paid any attention they weren't too high at Lowe's.

KEH
 
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