Thread: Timber for butchers block

Wandoo was commonly used for butchers blocks here in the west, so was Tuart. For a contrast you could use southern bluegum.

Originally Posted by nifty

Wandoo was commonly used for butchers blocks here in the west, so was Tuart. For a contrast you could use southern bluegum.

hah. I have some tuart. Heavy stuff. Should be dry after a couple of summers under the boat in the sun. Might be some bluegum there too. Some of Ignotti's stuff.

Thanks Nifty.

Originally Posted by Johncs

hah. I have some tuart. Heavy stuff. Should be dry after a couple of summers under the boat in the sun. Might be some bluegum there too. Some of Ignotti's stuff.

Thanks Nifty.

Oh dear.
The stress of two summers, it seems, has been a bit much for tw wood under the boat and it's full of short cracks through the entire thickness of the wood. No good for cutting board or home furniture I fear, but fine where appearance is less important.

I ran a piece over the jointer to see what it looks like, and cracks aside I quite like it. The jointer, however, found it quite a mouth full.

Old man Tuart is pretty hard on gear isnt he

Originally Posted by nifty

Old man Tuart is pretty hard on gear isnt he

It's the first time I've shown a piece of tuart to the jointer, and this bit is the first time I've used the full width of the machine.

The bluegum is too wide, I'll have to smooth a face in the thicknesser and then do the edge with the tablesaw or a router.

One of the preferred timbers for butchers blocks is rough barked apple (angophora floribunda) as it does not blunt knives like some other timbers. You may not have access to it as it it is not usually cut commercially.

Also it may not be decorative enough for a wedding present.

Regards
Paul