Butcherblock countertop/tabletop solution for long, narrow run?

March 4, 2019 11:15 AM

I'm trying to figure out the best solution for a long, narrow run of tabletop. I want to cover an area approximately 88" long and 16" wide, that will be supported by bookcases and file cabinets for most, but not all, of the run.

I've looked at Ikea and Home Depot pre-fabricated butcherblock countertops, but the problem of cutting and transport still exists. I live in apartment and don't own a saw, or have an appropriate place to modify a 98" piece of wood. (I can get the Home Depot one shipped to the store, and then cut there, but apparently the cuts in-store are not particularly accurate. ).

If I need to, I can borrow a circular saw. Assuming I could set it up, could I cut a countertop like this with a regular circular saw?

Is there anything I'm missing? Any way to get a finished, cut piece of wood that I'm missing?

posted by mercredi to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

We just ordered some counters from the hardwood lumber company - worked out great for us. They have lots of options for counters, including butcher block style in a number of wood species and will build exactly the size you need (you'll need to request a quote if your size isn't standard, and I don't think it is). I'd guess ~600 + shipping for the size you need depending on what wood and finish you want?
posted by jeffch at 11:38 AM on March 4, 2019 [1 favorite]

Yes, a skill saw (assuming that's what you meant), or a table saw will cut that fine.

If you're using a hand-held skill saw, it will help to clamp a fence of some kind to the butcher block and run the saw along that.
posted by humboldt32 at 11:40 AM on March 4, 2019

Parquet floor tile comes in various patterns. 16 inches accommodates 4 inch blocks. There are also other kinds of flooring that give a wood look, but are man made material, easily cleaned. Both of these modalities would seat on 1/2 inch plywood cut to size. Home depot would cut your under plywood to size for you they have big long cut saws on site for this exact thing, no extra charge. You just have to have accurate measurements, as they say, measure twice, cut once. They also sell mouldings to finish the edges of whatever you are making. Tile is another option, back splash edge, one foot marble tiles, four inch edging.
posted by Oyéah at 12:12 PM on March 4, 2019

Cuts in Home Depot are done by an actual human who will be standing at the saw while you are there. You can talk to this person, and say, "Hi, I'm pretty short on cash and I can't screw this up, so if you don't mind making sure these two cuts are very close to accurate, I'd really appreciate it." Personally I've never had a HD cut be more than 1/8" off, and usually they're perfect. Just talk to them!

Just be sure that your measurements are accurate!
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:47 PM on March 4, 2019 [3 favorites]

If you know how to use a circular saw accurately, all you need is a chalkline, a tape measure, and the saw.

I've basically done this: I bought a single 12' maple butcher block slab from lumber liquidators rather than getting three pieces custom cut for me. I had been planning on just strapping it to the rental truck, but when I picked up the vehicle the posted dimensions turned out to be different from my measurements, so I brought the skillsaw etc. just in case. Which was lucky, because there was in fact no way this slab was going to fit. I don't think the guy in the warehouse believed me when I was like "I'll be back in a minute with an extension cord; can I just borrow an outlet for a few minutes?"

But I went ahead and used the truck bed as a sawhorse and just did the two basic cuts right there in the parking lot, NBD :).
posted by aspersioncast at 2:29 PM on March 4, 2019

Home Depot cuts are at least as accurate as you as a beginner are going to achieve with a circ saw, and probably a great deal more. And anyway, when people complain about them being inaccurate, it's generally because small errors add up over complex projects. For a single surface, I'd feel confident that they could get it close enough that sanding and/or caulk would make up any difference.
posted by teremala at 2:35 PM on March 4, 2019

I had a piece cut at Home Depot and they did it perfectly. I would trust them to get it right.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:42 PM on March 4, 2019

If the cut edge isn't going to be exposed I'd trust HD with this cut. At my local HD they have signs and the operator will say they don't guarantee the cut but IME that is a cover their ass statement. Any half way competent operator of a panel saw is going to be able to make this cut to within a 1/16th of an inch.

Or you can cut it with a skil saw no problem. I'm experienced and can cut a pretty straight line but I wouldn't cut such a large expensive piece of wood without a straight edge. With a straight edge this is very doable. A 1x6 MDF moulding makes a good one time straight edge. Use a clamp at each end to secure the straightedge so it doesn't move. Ideally you'd use a rip blade but a good quality combination blade will work too if a bit slower.

One word of caution: If the foot of the skilsaw is just a flat piece of aluminum make sure the foot can't get stuck in the curve of the edge of the straight edge. Some skil saws have a cast foot with a relatively thick edge and this is less of a problem. This is one of the reasons to use the MDF moulding rather than say a 2x4. Usually at least one edge of the MDF moulding is a perfect 90 with no chamfer/radius. You might be able to rent a saw guide at your HD.
posted by Mitheral at 7:35 PM on March 4, 2019