Thread: Hardwood Timber Benchtops

Originally Posted by cantilever

My slick [and very small] new kitchen needs something to provide some contrast - so i want to have a recycled hardwood timber benchtop.

Any advice would be great - in particular what kind of finish should i use ? oil ? laquer ? reconstituted fish testicles ?

thanks all.

Go with reconstituted fish testicles but don't forget, post pics.

Go the hardest timber you can get your hands on in the colour your after and IMHO polyurethane. I used cabots Gelclear which is very easy to paint on if your not used to that sort of thing.

Canti,

Measure how many square metres you need, and call a few recycled timber places. Tell them what you're doing, and ask what they've got that's good. Sometimes they can be helpful. Other times you've just got to go down and have a look.

Most of the stuff I've seen at the recycle places is either old flooring or old oregon pine. The oregon is a bit soft, but I built an island for my kitchen about four years ago out of that and it's holding up well. Finished with a polyurethane, which has also held up well (can't remember the brand, but probably the cheapest one). We don't often chop directly on it, usually use a chopping board, and any dings just sort of add to the rustic feel.

Oregon is kind of light, so I stained it with some walnut stain, but you can buy several different colours, test it out on some offcuts, and use what you like.

If you decide to use old flooring, you can build the counter from ply or mdf to give some strength, and lay the flooring on top if that. Put an overhang on the edge and it should look allright.

Just beware of the nails in the recycled timber. Even if they say there are no nails, there will be. Once you've dressed it (cleaned off the top 1 or 2 mm of each side) let the timber sit at your place a week or two before staining, installing, and finishing. It may move a bit once the old finish and crud is gone.

Post pics when done please.

Regards,

Tex

Excellent advice all round here methinks.

We are hoping to be finised before christmas so i will be happy to show it off then !

Originally Posted by cantilever

We are hoping to be finised before christmas

And what - pray tell - do those cheeky little smilies infer ?

BTW canti,
If you are using poly make sure you seal underneath the benches as well as on top otherwise the moisture levels are different and you get warping. The best way to do this is just to paint it with a good acrylic paint (RE any old can you have lying around) but remember that the overhang on the top is visible so start the paint 100mm back.

Originally Posted by cantilever

And what - pray tell - do those cheeky little smilies infer ?

Ahhhh, indeed! The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Originally Posted by cantilever

My slick [and very small] new kitchen needs something to provide some contrast - so i want to have a recycled hardwood timber benchtop.

Any advice would be great - in particular what kind of finish should i use ? oil ? laquer ? reconstituted fish testicles ?

thanks all.

I make all timber kitchens & if the tops are not DK to max 10% they will shrink away from the wall. I know that there are woodies that say that is not so, but I make my kitchen to last for the life of the house. Made my first in 1980, it is still in service & in good order, & will be for 100 years.If you use good material they will last As for a finish I use Penetrol wood oil
Good luck
Charles