z wrote:

I like the maple butcher block tops. A few hundred dollars, but nice
to look at, stay flat, and seem to last forever. They're heavy
enough that they'll sit on a sturdy frame (preferably fully welded
2" square steel tubing) without bolts.

Ikea is a good source for butcher block tops. I like their beech
tops.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40057396/

Should you cover the butcher-block table top with 1/2" plywood to protect it
from nails, tool-slippage, spilled varnish, and the like?