Pine Countertop

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Hi All!

I have just finished my very first counter top, I built it myself after loads of research and study.

I am on a very tight budget, and my counter top is U shaped 8 foot by 10 foot by 5 foot, with the three basin sink that was given to me in the 8 foot section.

I picked 1X4 pine. The pine and "biskets" and carpenters glue cost 150.00. (I measured 10 times to make sure I bought no more wood than actually required, and I had EXACTLY enough.)

I put the "biskets" every 5 or 6 inches, staggered, I glued everything that came in contact with anything, I built it "in place" so even bisketed the "herringbone" corners of my U shape. (having no idea how to make a "mitered?" corner joint)The whole thing is screwed to the base where ever I could reach.

The counter top is perfect, measured and cut and built in place for (as I came to find out) my not square kitchen.

I have started to finish the top with tung oil and it is absolutely beautiful. Tung oil is a "nut" oil so may not be the best choice for someone with allergies. I am a single adult, so any dents or scratches in my counter top are merely proof that I "live" in my house.

Tung oil soaks into the wood therefore can not peal or flake off and get into food, it has also been used for hundreds of years to waterproof sea going craft... I am not concerned in the least with water stains.

I will be starting out with 8 coats of tung oil, then about twice a year hereafter, or when ever I happen to scratch it.

I am not a carpenter, I have actually never built a useful wooden object before in my life, ever. I have a beautiful, solid pine counter top that will likely last longer than I do, for two reasons:

1> I could not afford the cheepest of cheep laminate countertop at 450.00.

2> I wanted wood.

... So, buy only that which you can afford, and only that which you really, really want. Whatever care or upkeep it will require will seem nothing to you.