What is the best way to join two pieces of maple butcherblock (27″ wide, 1.5″ thick) where the grain patterns are 90 degrees to each other? I also have to join a piece that is 45 degrees to the other piece (see attached).
How about either pocket hole screws or biscuits or perhaps some sort of drawbolt? The seam can show but I need to mate them up evenly with no gap.
Thanks,
Brian
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Replies
See if you can buy some of the drawbolts that are used to join pre-formed formica countertops. You'll need to rout out a T-shaped groove in each side of the joint.
Biscuits (for strength) teamed up with pocket screws (clamping action) might work, but the clamping action of pocket screws will not be as strong as drawbolts. If you do use pocket screws, make the pocket in the long grain so that the screw threads can grab better in the crossgrain of the mating piece.
There are alot of "draw tight" type connectors available for countertops.
Here's one from McFeelys,
View Image "FastCap" Flip Bolt Countertop Connecting Bolts
FSC-0020
Qty: 50 or more, $8.99
FastCap's Flip Bolt is the quick and easy way to connect countertops - no additional tools are required. Simply place the Flip Bolt into a recessed cutout in the countertops to be joined. Hand tighten the end nut, then push down the lever to tighten and secure in place. Sold as a pack of 10. 4-1/2" length.
Click here for the Flip Bolt Template.
Edited 3/13/2009 10:32 am ET by BUIC
Thats cool. I was still in the old "Dog Bone" mode thinking about that post..I gotta get some of them just for the heck of it.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Thanks for that. Just ordered some. I've got the same job to do....Steve
I'd mitre the joints and use drawbolts and epoxy.
For machining a router and guide
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I have done corners with premade counters of butcher block.
Used drawbolts, biscuits and glue. Other than the change in direction of the pattern the seam is still indiscernible after 4 years.
No cracking, separation at all.
biscuits!!Forgot that I made a spline for mine too
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Thought about a spline but opted for biscuits instead. One caution I have is check your countertop... Several butcher block counters I have installed were made up of finger jointed blocks, messy when the cut for the joint hits one of those finger jointed blocks.
The finger jointing made for some pretty big voids that had to be plugged and filled before glue up.
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