My latest "butcher" job...

[Maury Morneault]

Hey all,

Thought you might enjoy some pics of a recent "butcher" job I just completed. Actually, it was commissioned by a chef in Atlanta. The entire thing was his brain child, I just made it a reality for him.

The entire piece is constructed of solid maple. The pins are 1/2" walnut dowels. The top is 36" high, measures 24"x18"x4" and is constructed of 104 individual 2"x2" blocks assembled in a staggered pattern. In addition to the monster top, the client requested (and received) a knife rack, towel rack, storage drawer, lower storage shelf and heavy duty locking casters. This thing is built like a tank. And as you can imagine, it weighs a ton!

http://www.mjmwoodworks.com/images/DSCN23274.JPG

http://www.mjmwoodworks.com/images/DSCN2325.JPG

http://www.mjmwoodworks.com/images/DSCN23172.JPG

http://www.mjmwoodworks.com/images/DSCN2318.JPG

As always, any feedback is welcome. Enjoy and thanks for looking.

Maury

[Dave Ray]

Maury, great project, when you build you truly build to last a life time. I am sure your client loves it.

[Alex Shanku]

Very nice!!!

How do you prevent the glue lines between the end grain blocks from opening up with the seasonal changes?

I have tried a few end grain cutting boards and they all ended up splitting along the glue lines.....

[Matt Day]

Very nice! How thick is the top? It appears to be about 3"?

[Jameel Abraham]

Awesome. End grain maple is so luxurious.

[Dennis Peacock]

Very nice Maury.!!! Great work and very well done.

Alex,

I've made several endgrain boards and none of them have came apart yet.

[Brent Dowell]

Love the look of the wide endgrain pieces. Very nicely done.

[Jesse Thornton]

Looks fantastic, Maury!
Great timing too, as it gives me some good ideas to ponder for a similar project I have coming up. I really like the way you built the knife rack.
What did you use for a finish?
Thanks for posting.

[Gail O'Rourke]

This a great piece, perfect for any kitchen, but even better for a chef. Great Work!

[Cary Swoveland]

Impressive design and craftsmanship, Maury (my brother's first name as well). Well done.

Cary

[Bruce Page]

Nice work! That looks like a fun project.

[Ben Grunow]

That is a beauty! It will look even better in about 20 years when there is some contour to the top from all of the cutting.

There is a butcher shop near me with a 3' square block where one side is about 6" lower than the other.

What glue did you use for the blocks?

Ben

[John Keane]

Well done. Beautiful piece.

[Jim Becker]

Maury, that's really excellent work!

[Maury Morneault]

Thank you all for the compliments. It's very much appreciated.


Very nice!!!

How do you prevent the glue lines between the end grain blocks from opening up with the seasonal changes?

I have tried a few end grain cutting boards and they all ended up splitting along the glue lines.....
I've never had a problem with glue joints parting, especially long grain joints. Just make sure your glue is fresh and your stock is dry, flat, square and you use good clamping pressure.


Very nice! How thick is the top? It appears to be about 3"?
The top is 4" thick. The legs are 3"x3"


What did you use for a finish?
3 coats of GF Salad Bowl finish.


What glue did you use for the blocks?
For the top I used Titebond III, everything else got Titebond II.

Thanks again,
Maury

[Don Bullock]

Maury, you certainly did butcher that project -- it's too beautiful to be used. Great workmanship!!

[Nancy Laird]

I certainly wouldn't take a knife to that top! Really nice!!

Nancy

[Zahid Naqvi]

When I read the title I thought I'd see some mangled project that you are trying to salvage :eek:

Nicely done, I could use one of these things around my house.

[Jeffrey Makiel]

Maury...that looks great! I'd be proud to prepare a nice cheesteak sandwich on it!

-Jeff :)

[Jerry Strojny]

Wow, what a beautiful piece.

Looks great. I've always wanted to try to do butcherblock project....this one may have inspired me enough to actually follow through. I love it. Especially the walnut plugs.

[Larry Crim]

Maury that is a great job really like the top, would be interested in knowing how you tackled the beading around the top.
Larry

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Wow, that's fantastic work. Having been a chef, I can appreciate the block...wish I had one just like it here!

[Maury Morneault]

I certainly wouldn't take a knife to that top! Really nice!!
Unfortunately Nancy, it's already been compromised.:(


Maury that is a great job really like the top, would be interested in knowing how you tackled the beading around the top.
I'm assuming your talking about the groove in the top? BTW, I've always known, and referrd to this feature as a "blood edge". My friends in the culinary business have informed me that the correct terminology is a "liquid groove". Who knew? :rolleyes: Anyway, it's pretty easy to do. First I decided how wide and how far off the edge I wanted the groove. In this case, it was 1/2" wide and 1/2" from the edge. Then I made a template out of MDF and carpet taped it to the top. Finally, I loaded a 1/2" core box bit in my router and followed the template around the top.

[ROY DICK]

Maury,

That is outstanding. My compliments to the craftsman. Excellent detail.

Roy

[Bill Huber]

Maury, that is one really nice block, now I would just hate to see someone use it, it to nice looking.

[Jim C Bradley]

Hi,
This is beautiful! I'm sure glad my wife hasn't seen these photos.
Enjoy,
Jim

[Chris Barton]

That's a great piece and a wonderful project! I may need to add this to my to do list!

[Larry Crim]

thanks maury I understand, I thought it was a raised bead my comp has a cheap monitor and it looked as though it was raised.
thanks again and sweet job.
Larry


Unfortunately Nancy, it's already been compromised.:(


I'm assuming your talking about the groove in the top? BTW, I've always known, and referrd to this feature as a "blood edge". My friends in the culinary business have informed me that the correct terminology is a "liquid groove". Who knew? :rolleyes: Anyway, it's pretty easy to do. First I decided how wide and how far off the edge I wanted the groove. In this case, it was 1/2" wide and 1/2" from the edge. Then I made a template out of MDF and carpet taped it to the top. Finally, I loaded a 1/2" core box bit in my router and followed the template around the top.