Ron,

A 9' piece of 24" wide maple butcherblock should not be anywhere near $800.
I stopped in to the new Woodcraft near me a couple days ago, and they had 24
x 84 workbench tops, laminated/finger jointed maple, on sale for (IIRC)
about $379. It will be a lot of work to make your own, and unless you have
ready access to a *lot* of clamps, a way to surface the block when it's
glued up, and the materials for cheap, it won't be worth it. I know with a
9' length, I'd be needing 9'+ lengths of maple as well, because I wouldn't
want end grain butt joints in the middle of the countertop.

I wouldn't recommend oak, unless it's white oak, and that may not go too
well visually with the maple.

Try restaurant supply places, as well as Grizzly. I believe they sell maple
butcherblock.

Jon E

"Ron" wrote in message
news:u53Mb.20554$xy6.56974@attbi_s02...
Stopped by HD yesterday for an estimate on some butcher block countertop.
Yikes.
They quoted me ~$300 for a 9' laminated piece, w/ backsplash & dripedge.
I believe it was from Vanguard???

I was told the solid variety would be around $800.

So, I'm considering building one myself.

I was thinking about mixing two species of lighter colored woods, white
oak
& maple possiblly?

Start with 6/4 stock, cut into 1" strips, alternate strips, glue & clear
coat.

Since food contact is obvious, what type(s) of glue & clear finish is
recommended?
Is glue and clamping sufficient?
I have some Zinsser Bulls Eye Seal Coat sanding sealer, can I start with
this?

Would a solid (single species) backsplash

Any other suggestions are welcome,
ThankX
Ron