What To Do With Maple Butcher Block Table

[HiccaBurp]

I got this table from a client. It's 5' x 3' solid maple butcher block with heavy solid oak base. We don't need it in our kitchen.

How would you use it in your garage?
What would you do with the legs?

I would love to set it up as a workstation, but don't have the room in the garage. Thought about drop down table on a wall? I do need to build a bench and top.. the the length I need is 8'. Maybe 5' of oak and 3' of something else?

 

[bczygan]

I would either us the legs mounted off center, nearer the front edge of the top, with the back edge supported by a ledger mounted on the wall, or I would just throw them out and make a sturdy, heavy base for the top. If I already had a table with a cheap top, I'd use this as an upgrade top. Wall mounted fold down top is good. You'll need a support under the top near both ends that supports each and every board in the top (In other words, full width). 3' is pretty deep so a fold down top sounds like the best use unless you want to cut it narrower.

 

[justanengineer]

It looks nice enough, I bet you could get $100 or more for it pretty easily. I vote sell it, then use the cash to build something properly the size you need.

 

[HiccaBurp]

I would either us the legs mounted off center, nearer the front edge of the top, with the back edge supported by a ledger mounted on the wall, or I would just throw them out and make a sturdy, heavy base for the top. If I already had a table with a cheap top, I'd use this as an upgrade top. Wall mounted fold down top is good. You'll need a support under the top near both ends that supports each and every board in the top (In other words, full width). 3' is pretty deep so a fold down top sounds like the best use unless you want to cut it narrower.

The fold down top seems the most logical. I wanted to stay away from cutting it since it is a nice heavy top. I could cut it down and use it as the top of my rolling cabinet.. but seems like a waste.

 

[HiccaBurp]

It looks nice enough, I bet you could get $100 or more for it pretty easily. I vote sell it, then use the cash to build something properly the size you need.

Yeah, that crossed my mind. But I'd use the $100 on something else not as useful. Plus, I really like having a solid butcher block top. I might explore some plans for a rolling millwork bench and cut it down to 2'x5'. Just need to find a spot for it to sit out of the way when parking the cars in the garage.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

IMHO, if you can use it for a bench top, then do so, and let the other needed three feet, be made of metal. Put the legs up on CL for a bit, and if no bites, then firewood/scrap/handle material, etc.

If you don't want a split bench, don't want to sell the whole thing and are unsure about any other use, why not build a wooden tool cabinet and use it for the top.

Just some idea's, congrats.

 

[TimGrz]

I have a similar top, 72"x36". My Dad was the last manager to lock up the factory where Ford originally made the Model-A, then later Ford Tractors, in Highland Park Michigan. It is probably around 100 years old now. It was used as a work bench that took me forever to get the dozens of coats of paint off of it.

One person can just BARELY move it due to it's weight. But one person cannot set it up on sawhorses as you see here. This is old school hardwood that took a hundred years to grow.

In this picture is the "bottom." The original top side is well antiqued with scars of that 100 years in the factory. It's awesome and in my opinion much prettier than the smoother finished surface you see her.

Here I was using it for a computer desk. But not sure what I will be doing with it once I get into my new house.

I have a second one at my parents that is un-sanded that I am going to pick up next time I'm there.

I say, keep it.
/tg

 

[Keep]

Looks like a sheet of old bowling alley.

I would lose the oak stand, grab some 1.5 galvanized pipe for feet. A fold down bench is not really an option, I bet that thing weighs a ton!

You could easily make 75-100 for it selling it, whatever you do, don't just trash/burn it that would be a huge waste of a great chunk of wood.

 

[reinhardt]

mail it to me. it is just about perfect for my work bench.

ben

(pm me for address to mail it to.)

 

[5lima30]

Get some cabinet bases from Habitat etc and mount the top on the cabinet bases for a nice work station. Take the legs and post them for sale on Craigs List. YMMV.

 

[TheGunCollector]

I would use it as a top for my Snap-on box.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Maple butcher block makes a great work surface. If you cut it down to a 30" depth, it would weigh 87 pounds (assuming it's 1-3/4" thick), which isn't prohibitive for a fold down table. I've posted pictures of mine before, but these will show you one way to approach it.

 

[qdvuu]

Your idea of making a split bench is good and with this approach you can mount the heavy stuff, like a vise and/or grinder on the fixed part.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

You could get a lot more than 100 for it if it's solid stock. More like 300 or 400 and that's still half the new cost.
I'd Craigs it at 400 with the legs.

 

[KEH]

That's too valuable as a piece of antique furniture to cut up or use as a work bench. Try getting an antique store to value it for you and maybe sell it for you.

KEH

 

[mrbreezeet1]

when parking the cars in the garage.

That's your problem.
Thanks
Tony

 

[Frank The Plumber]

You could most likely get 125 each for the oak legs and go back the next day and see a 300 each tag on them at an antique or restorations store.
More if they are rift cut and double these numbers if they are old growth white oak.
And more again if rift white oak old growth. I could tell how old the tree is by just a scratch into some of the wood, if it smells like perfumed roses it's old growth white oak.