Tommy MacDonald's 207 Woodworking Community • View topic - Finish for the base of a butcher block table

Pitt · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 11 2:33 pm

I’m building a wine table for a wedding present. The base is cherry with a birdseye maple drawer front. The top is side grain butcher block (cherry and maple) about 2 inches thick. The couple intends to use the top for cutting, so I assume a mineral oil and beeswax finish is best for the top.

Is Tried and True BLO/wax a bad choice for the top?
If I go with mineral oil & wax for the top, what should I use on the base to best match that finish?

Picture of the WIP attached. Thanks for any suggestions.

RaDioAcTivE · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 11 3:01 pm

From what I know mineral oil is your best option other then a specific, "butcher block finish" that's usually just a mineral oil with some sort of drying agent in it, sold by the various stores. Keep in mind that the mineral oil will have to be lightly applied every few months to the piece.

Linseed oil is not safe to use for food grade counters.

As far as matching I'd try the oil/wax combo myself but you're just going to have to experiment to see what works best.

My experience in this area is more on fine furniture and antiques so perhaps some of the other guys who've built similar pieces will speak up with their opinions that may be of more help to you. :mrgreen:

new york new york · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 11 3:44 pm

You can use this on the entire piece....

http://www.garrettwade.com/behlen-salad ... /99P27.01/

I'm sure Woodcraft has it as well, or Rockler

Pitt · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 11 8:28 pm

Thanks guys. My concern with the salad bowl finish is that it's a film finish - won't that chip if used as a cutting board?

I think the maintenance is addressable - if they want a butcher block top they need to maintain it. Would any satin finish match it ok?

snaslund · **Joined:** Tue Jul 01, 08 4:44 pm **Posts:** 324

Check out tried and true website but I am pretty sure they leave out the metallic driers that usuallymake blo toxic. My can is specifically labeled non toxic. Mineral oil would be the most common butcher block finish though.

Steve

RaDioAcTivE · **Posted:** Sun Jul 31, 11 5:24 pm

All Tried & True Wood Finishes comply with the inner most circle of product safety established by the FDA: "safe for food contact surfaces"

That's from their site. I still like the ease of mineral oil for a piece that's going to someone else who isn't in our trade or may not have access to our finishes. Mineral oil is the standard and it's available everywhere.

Pitt · **Posted:** Sun Jul 31, 11 5:53 pm

Thanks all. It will be a mineral oil/beeswax top and T&T bottom. Progress pic attached.

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