How to Make a DIY Butcher Block

Put on your safety glasses and cut your 2-inch-thick hardwood into 12 strips, each 20 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide with your table saw.

Lay the strips next to each other. Apply waterproof glue between each strip of wood and clamp together to form a large block. Tighten the clamps until a thin bead of glue squeezes from between each strip. Wipe the glue with your rag and let dry overnight.

Remove the clamps and cut the block across its width every 1 1/2 inches with your table saw. You should have 13 strips of laminated blocks.

Turn the strips up so the squares of end-grain wood are face up. Arrange the end-grain strips back into a rectangle. There can be some variation in the tones of the end-grain blocks, so rearrange the strips until they look good, advises ReadyMade magazine online. Apply waterproof wood glue between each strip and clamp as before. Let dry overnight.

Unclamp the block and use an electric sander to sand the block with coarse, medium then fine sandpaper until it is perfectly flat and smooth. Wipe with a cloth.

Apply a generous amount of mineral oil to the butcher block with a rag. Let it soak in for about 15 minutes and wipe away any excess oil.

Apply rubber feet to the bottom of the butcher block at each corner.