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7 DIY Butcher Block Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
Ed Malaker
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Butcher block is a fantastic project for any woodworker. It requires precision to create a durable surface that you can cut and chop on that’s also attractive. If this sounds interesting to you, keep reading as we provide you with several plans that you can start building today. For each one, we list what the completed project looks like, how difficult it is to complete, and what materials you’ll need.
The MyOutdoorPlans Butcher Block Table is easy to create, and it’s a great place to start for anybody looking to gain experience building a project. All the steps are simple to follow, and you won’t need many expensive tools to complete it. Most people can finish it in just a few days.
The Maker Grey Butcher Block Counter Top is an easy-to-build project that uses a purchased butcher block to create a countertop. The plan walks you through the steps of finishing the butcher block with stain, wood conditioner, sealer, and more. It also walks you through installing it in the kitchen to create a countertop.
The Instructables Butcher Block Kitchen Island is a plan that uses a recycled butcher block to create a new island for the workshop or home. It has a durable butcher block top for working and two shelf areas underneath for storing supplies. It’s also surprisingly light, and you can move it around without it tipping over. Thick wood does need cutting, and some of the screws go in at an angle, which can be difficult for inexperienced woodworkers.
The Tyler Garner Butcher Block uses a purchased butcher block to create an L desk. Even though you don’t need to build the butcher block, you will need to cut and finish the wood and attach it to a homemade metal frame, so it’s a great project with plenty to learn, and the instructions are easy to follow.
The Barkwood Butcher Block is an advanced project that walks you through the process of creating a butcher block from scratch. It requires multiple cuts and plenty of patience, but the directions are clear and easy to follow, so even if you don’t feel ready for an advanced project, there is a good chance that you can complete it if you take your time.
Instructables does a good job of producing projects that are easy to follow, and this butcher block table is no exception. The instructions walk you through building the butcher block from scratch and then through the steps of using it to create a table.
The Nicholas Lusk Butcher Block Countertop is an advanced project in which you build a butcher block countertop from scratch out of several pieces of lumber. You then go through the process of turning the butcher block into a countertop.
What Is a Butcher Block?
A butcher block is a board created out of many thin boards to create a surface that is extremely durable and attractive. Butchers use this type of surface as a cutting board, and its popularity in that field led to its name.
What Project Should I Begin With?
If you are an inexperienced woodworker, we highly recommend starting with the first plan to gain experience before moving on. Building a butcher block can be challenging because it requires several small pieces of wood to have the proper measurements so they can fit together to create the surface. However, even many moderately difficult projects use a purchased or recycled butcher block, so you can still get the appearance of a butcher block without the big job of creating one yourself.
Once you have enough experience to tackle creating a butcher block from scratch, the project can be quite rewarding, and you can use it on a project that uses a recycled one.
Summary
There are many projects that you can build that use a butcher block for its extreme durability and attractive appearance. While a butcher block makes a fantastic cutting board, you can also use it as a desktop countertop or any surface that gets plenty of use. Building one from scratch will give you the experience that you need to tackle more complicated projects.
Featured Image Credit: Igor Palamarchuk, Pixabay
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Ed Malaker
Ed Malaker is an experienced writer who has brought his knowledge to a wide range of blogs, including home improvement, guitars, computer programming, tools, fitness, and pets. If you don't catch him writing, you can usually find Ed working in the garden or taking on DIY projects around the house. Ed’s also a talented musician, spending time composing music for independent films or helping people fix their guitars.
Ed Malaker
