DIY Wood Plank Counter Tops

Choose the wood planks that you want for the countertop. Ensure that the planks lay flat on a surface and each one is the same thickness.

Lay out the wood planks to fit the general shape of your countertop.

Pick up one wood plank and run a line of food safe epoxy or wood glue along the one long narrow side. Spread the glue with a brush to cover the entire length.

Place the side with the glue against the next board in line.

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have all the boards glued together.

Clamp the boards together and allow the glue to dry according to label directions. To prevent the bar clamps from indenting the wood, place a thin scrap piece of wood between the clamp and the countertop.

Cut the counter top to fit the cabinet, using the jigsaw. Lay a straight edge to line up the edges of your pattern. Tape the pattern in place and then trace around the pattern with a carpenter's pencil.

Sand the top and sides of the counter top with 150-grit sandpaper on a hand-held sander until the boards are smooth and even. You can also sand by hand by folding a piece of sandpaper into fourths.

Vacuum the plank counter top to remove all the sawdust. Use a soft bristle brush attachment so you don't scratch the wood.

Sand the top and sides of the counter top using 220 grit sandpaper. Vacuum to remove all the dust and then wipe the wood down with a tack cloth to remove all the dust.

Clean the top surface area of the cabinet where your butcher block will rest. If it is dirty or greasy, clean it with wood soap and warm water. Allow the wood to dry over night.

Clamp the countertop to the cabinet to hold it in place as you insert screws. Drill a pilot hole in the bottom section of the countertop, but do not go all the way through. Use screws that are shorter than the thickness of the plank counter top. Some countertops are held by screws located in the inside corner of the cabinet, while others use steel angle brackets located on the inside wall of the cabinet.

Rub tung oil, food-grade mineral oil or linseed oil onto the countertop’s surface with a clean dry rag and allow the oil to penetrate into the wood for a half hour.

Repeat step 13, five to 10 times. When the wood no longer absorbs the oil, you will know that you have enough. Wipe off any unabsorbed oil with a clean, dry cloth.