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Butcher Block stand. Anyone ever done one?

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WayBeau

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So this one is for those on here that like to work with wood. I was given a slab of a cutting board which is WAY too big to use in the kitchen (20W x 30L x 1 7/8 thick). One side of it has the corners rounded and there is a juice 'trough' carved into it which follows the shape of the 'u' created by the rounded corners. I hate to let it waste away in my workshop and it's not fitting well into our future kitchen remodel, so I decided that I'd make a stand for it to sit on so I could use it for processing my deer. I was also given (at a different time by a different person) two 2x4s with heavy casters on them. I thought about incorporating those into my build so that I could easily move the finished product without giving myself a hernia. After looking at the casters a little closer this afternoon, I realized that I need to get at least two that have the ability to be locked so that the stand can be stabilized while working, so those are the first two items on my list for Lowe's. Since I want this thing to be as sturdy as possible, I'm going to make the legs out of 4x4s. That's where you seasoned wood workers come in.

How would you attach the 4x4s to both the rolling 2x4s and the butcher slab? I'm more worried about the slab since I want to do as little damage as possible to it. My initial thought on attaching to the 2x4s was to simply counter-sink some lag bolts up through the board and into the bottom of the 4x4, but I'm not sure if there might be a better way to slay that beast. Attaching the slab to everything is the real mystery that's plaguing me right now. So I'd love to hear some suggestions on how you'd go about accomplishing that part of the project.

The final bit of advice I'd like is how to finish/seal the slab. I am going to simply sand and polyurethane everything else, but I'm not sure I should put poly on a surface which will be coming into contact with food. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what works best for treating a cutting board type surface?

I'll post up some pics as I get the process going. I want to get my materials all together first so I can just knock it out.
 
#3 ·
First item....the only thing you use to treat a wood cutting board is food grade mineral oil, available at restaurant supply or, and this is not a joke, mineral oil is available at most pharmacies as a laxative. Wipe it on heavy, let the wood drink it up, wipe off the excess.

As far as the project goes I love to build stuff as much as the next guy. For what you want to do I would get/build a pair of saw horses, lay a 4' by 4' piece of 3/4 plywood on the horses and screw it to the horses with 4 screws and now put your cutting board on you new table. This will be a very solid work surface. When things need to be stored, back out the 4 screws and it all can be leaned against a wall taking up very little space.
 
#4 ·
I wouldn't use a wood cutting board to process deer. Wood can and will soak up blood and other matter and will breed bacteria. That's exactly why meat shops never use wood anymore. I would be very cautious of using wood.

A simple plastic cutting board on your counter top would be a much better choice...and much less headache.

What about cutting down the wood board so it fits in your kitchen?
 
#5 ·
dblungem said:
I wouldn't use a wood cutting board to process deer. Wood can and will soak up blood and other matter and will breed bacteria. That's exactly why meat shops never use wood anymore. I would be very cautious of using wood.

A simple plastic cutting board on your counter top would be a much better choice...and much less headache.

What about cutting down the wood board so it fits in your kitchen?
Click to expand...
It has actually been proven that wood naturally kills bacteria but regulation were put into effect before and that is why meatshops have to use plastic. Talked to one of the meat inspectors when I was working in a slaughterhouse
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
mattgirard said:
Also forgot to mention I would build a table and just set the cutting board on top if your worried about it sliding just lay a damp cloth under the cutting board.
Click to expand...
This is what I basically planned to do, but have the cutting board act as the table-top. Though now I'm thinking I might make a sort of 'frame' that the board would fit inside to make cleaning easier by simply removing the cutting board to wash it.
 
#8 ·
Not true anymore, almost any finish can be used. You are referring to the finishes of old that used heavy metals and other toxic chemicals to cure the finish, but these items have since been outlawed in current finishes.

But you want an oil finish of some kind. A finish that lays on lop will be cut and chipped and abraded off and into your food. While it may be of no physical harm its not something that sounds appetizing.

iluvgear1 said:
First item....the only thing you use to treat a wood cutting board is food grade mineral oil, available at restaurant supply or, and this is not a joke, mineral oil is available at most pharmacies as a laxative. Wipe it on heavy, let the wood drink it up, wipe off the excess.

As far as the project goes I love to build stuff as much as the next guy. For what you want to do I would get/build a pair of saw horses, lay a 4' by 4' piece of 3/4 plywood on the horses and screw it to the horses with 4 screws and now put your cutting board on you new table. This will be a very solid work surface. When things need to be stored, back out the 4 screws and it all can be leaned against a wall taking up very little space.
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
madarchery said:
Not true anymore, almost any finish can be used. You are referring to the finishes of old that used heavy metals and other toxic chemicals to cure the finish, but these items have since been outlawed in current finishes.

But you want an oil finish of some kind. A finish that lays on lop will be cut and chipped and abraded off and into your food. While it may be of no physical harm its not something that sounds appetizing.
Click to expand...
I saw an actual Butcher Block finish in Lowe's this past weekend. I almost bought it, but figured I'd wait to see what I could learn about what works best before buying anything. I am leaning towards an oil of some sort, though I've heard that certain waxes work well too.
 
#10 ·
mattgirard said:
It has actually been proven that wood naturally kills bacteria but regulation were put into effect before and that is why meatshops have to use plastic. Talked to one of the meat inspectors when I was working in a slaughterhouse
Click to expand...
This also my understanding too. I think if you research this they have found that wood is far healthier material to be using. If my recollection is correct (and it often isn't) scientists\researchers think the reason why wood is better is that it also soaks up the anti bacterial agents used to clean it allowing it to retain the anti bacterial properties longer killing the bacteria more effectively. Plastic cutting boards trap the materials in the knife cuts and it builds up along with the bacteria getting worse over time.

As far as finishing it goes mineral oil is also my understanding. Definitely NOT polyurethane.

Connecting it to a base I'm not sure I understand about the 2x4's or the casters nor is it clear as to how the 4x4's fit into the mix. Maybe you could make a sketch as to how you think you'll do it and we could offer some suggestions. In similar situations what I've done is put the casters on a frame that hinges down when I want to role the unit but when it is stationary the legs are wood to floor. this makes it a lot more stable than brakes on a caster.
 

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Discussion starter · #11 ·
So, the 4x4s will be the legs of the table. The 2x4s have casters on them already and I'd like to incorporate them into the build. I've attached a VERY simple sketch of what I'm thinking. I'm not really sure how to attach the cutting board to the rolling base.

I like the idea of the casters being able to be lifted out of the way so the legs are firmly on the floor. Can you elaborate as to how you go about doing that?
 
#12 ·
As bow-bender showed in his pic, you could make the casters on a hinge. For attaching the top, I'd drill and dowel it into the upper frame, but not glue the dowels into the cutting board. That way you can lift off the cutting board to clean or store it. You could use dowels to lock the casters in their lowered position as well.
 
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#13 ·
Sorry, yes here is a little more of what I was thinking and the suggestions ElkHunter42 had too...
 

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