Building Block

• 1). Size the butcher's block according to your needs. You may choose the length and width, but the thickness needs to be at least two inches to give the board stability.
  
  
• 2). Cut the strips from the wood one inch longer than the intended length of the butcher's block.
  
  
• 3). Setup the table saw's fence and proceed to rip cut the wood one-sixteenth inch wider than the butcher block's depth, remembering to combine the measurements from both types of wood so that you get the striped effect and a correctly sized butcher's block.
  
  
• 4). Lay the pieces out on your work table, gluing the strips of wood in alternating colors and then clamping them together to make them adhere. Use the glue sparingly and remove any excess that may appear after the clamps have been applied. Allow the waterproof wood glue to set according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  
• 5). Remove the clamps and proceed to use the table saw to cut the butcher's block to your ideal size.
  
  
• 6). Use the belt sander to smooth and level the butcher's block, then use the router to round over the edges of the block, making sure no sharp points remain.
  
  
• 7). Apply a coat of mineral oil to the butcher's block. Let it sit overnight and wipe away any remaining oil the next morning.