Looking for a Source for Butcher Block Bench Top

[Pontiac787]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a preferred source of quality butcher block tops? I’m looking for actual maple or similar hardwood 5’ long by either 24” or 30” wide for a workbench that I’m building.

Global Industrial has an option for $200 shipped that looks like a good candidate.

60” x 24” Maple Top

 

[WildBill]

I got one at Home Depot on sale but I think Global is cheaper when they are not on sale.

 

[jack stand]

"Lumber liquidators" (the flooring place) has them as well.

 

[niget2002]

Ikea

Look what I've found at IKEA

IKEA Search puts the extensive IKEA range at user’s fingertips.

www.ikea.com

 

[Shiftless]

Be careful… some of them are veneer. You obviously don’t want that for a workbench.

 

[astrohip]

I've got a couple of workbenches I've built in my shop, and they have plywood tops. They look nice, but not Butcher Block Top nice. Seeing this thread makes me want to top them with BB.

Question: Best way to attach them? I simply countersunk some screws for the plywood. But I'm thinking BB deserves something better/nicer?

 

[Metal-Marc]

Check for used bowling alley wood on marketplace.

 

[LopezBart]

I've got a couple of workbenches I've built in my shop, and they have plywood tops. They look nice, but not Butcher Block Top nice. Seeing this thread makes me want to top them with BB.

Question: Best way to attach them? I simply countersunk some screws for the plywood. But I'm thinking BB deserves something better/nicer?

I screwed the ones we put in our Airstream up from underneath; works like a charm.

 

[pcmeiners]

If you plan to do any severe work on it such as pounding, 1 3/4 inches will not suffice

 

[Brent T]

I ordered mine from Uline. Don't remember the price, but I shopped around and they were pretty competitive and delivered quickly.

 

[Sumboodie]

My Dad made one for his garage shop bench around 1993. Just 2"x2"x8ft pieces glued and screwed together. It's still there. Been sanded down and polyurethaned 2 or 3 times over the years.
May be a cheaper option.

It's on some 1960s steel hospital cabinets he got from a neighbor who did demo work.

Strong enough to hold up to 2 broken vises. Cheater bars to the point the garage wall was about to lift up (bench screwed to the wall)

 

[jbfsr]

Grizzly tool has them.

 

[nadogail]

Have you considered building your own from Hardwood scraps?

 

[ybnormal]

I saw a stack of about 40-50 at the local Habitat for Humanity a few months ago. big beefy things, less than $300. check there

 

[jack stand]

Although not as pretty, tempered Masonite with contact cement over common 2x8 or 10's makes a nice inexpensive and replaceable surface.
I know, not what you asked.

 

[WisJim]

Currently at Menards, 1.5" thick birch, 25" wide by 6 feet long is $219, on sale for $179, less 11% rebate comes to $159.31. I haven't looked at the quality of it for a few years. They show it in 25" or 36" wide, and 4, 6, or 8 feet long. They also show oak, 24" wide by 1 3/8" thick, 5 foot is $129.99 less 11% at the moment. That may give you more ideas on what a good price might be if Menards are not an option.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I've got a couple of workbenches I've built in my shop, and they have plywood tops. They look nice, but not Butcher Block Top nice. Seeing this thread makes me want to top them with BB.

Question: Best way to attach them? I simply countersunk some screws for the plywood. But I'm thinking BB deserves something better/nicer?

Try 3M. I use this 3M product. I like it and it works

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/dual-lock-reclosable-fasteners-us/

 

[johnre]

There are two local hardwood shops near me that sell them. While they not be priced as low as online web stores, the shipping costs are what matter here - such a large, heavy piece is going to cost you a lot for shipping.

 

[SBAG]

Grizzly. Various sizes, thicknesses, and wood flavors. I just got a 10 ft long maple version, 2 1/4” thick. 24” wide one for around $640 plus shipping. But they have them a lot cheaper at thinner dimensions (mostly 1 1/2”).

 

[skeer]

A local bowling alley being demo'd?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Have you considered building your own from Hardwood scraps?

Just need some glue and pipe clamps. Take your time clamping it together and I would think you could get it straight enough with sanding for a work bench top.

 

[Bucko]

I needed some that were 12' long so Lowes and Home depot were not gonna work. The shipping from most places made it a deal killer. I found them from floor and decor for a good price and they were 1-1/2" thick and 24" wide. They had them in several species with samples in the store.

 

[Innovate1]

I picked up a couple from Lowes about 8 months ago on sale. They were deeply discounted although I never figured out why. Maybe switching to a different supplier because they still carry them (or at least did last I knew). If you aren't in a hurry you can find some deals.

 

[jetmechabq]

try looking at floor and decor.

Butcher Block Countertops | Floor & Decor

Upgrade your kitchen with a butcher block countertop. Floor & Decor has a wide selection of top quality wood butcher block countertops. Great options at affordable prices. Order today!

www.flooranddecor.com

 

[Packard V8]

A bit late to be coming in pedantic, but butcher block is made for a cutting surface and for resisting wear. It's thick blocks laminated with end grain up to the working surface.



You can use a butcher block as a cutting board but not vice versa. Cutting boards are not as thick so they will crack if used improperly. These are made for slicing, dicing, chopping, and julienning rather than chopping meat.

The reason you can use a butcher block as a cutting board is that butcher blocks are made to be thick and durable. You need butcher blocks to be able to withstand the butchering of meat while the use of cutting boards is pretty universal.

What has been described to this point is laminated hardwood, long grain up, a la bowling alley or cutting board. There is a difference.

jack vines

 

[Pontiac787]

I think I’ll go with the Global industrial. It’s Boos Maple Butcher Block and not much more than the offering at Lowes that doesn’t even specify the type of wood it’s made of.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Many years ago, I surprised my wife with a 450 pound chopping block. I found it on Craigslist a minute after the seller posted it. The block was expensive. It came from a famous local kitchen when the chef changed from hanging meat to box meat. The meat product was easier to control and theft was reduced.

 

[WildBill]

Not what OP is looking for but maybe a good deal for someone who is interested in this subject. $129 for a couple more hours and I show free shipping. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-7...ustable-height-workbench-G7200AS-US/206497844

 

[tool_scrounge]

Ikea

Look what I've found at IKEA

IKEA Search puts the extensive IKEA range at user’s fingertips.

www.ikea.com

I have bought them in the past. Be sure to check it is not warped.

 

[Blackwolfe]

The one you referenced from Global appears to be a good product and with the the sale price I doubt you good make one for much less. Boo's has a good reputation and their products look great as well. If I were in need of one, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one at that price.

One of the workbench I have has threaded inserts on the bottom of the top surface. Bolts thru holes in the frame from underneath making a strong connection. Down side of the threaded inserts is that at some point the top of the bench gets worn or damaged and you want to flip it over to use the bottom side, you need to deal with the threaded inserts or the holes left by the inserts if you remove them.

 

[billconner]

I've done two kitchens with the butcher block from lumber liquidators - one maple and one walnut. Very pleased. Might not be suitable for your work bench needs.