Home Improvements

[monfre]

Larry, 

I looked at my local Habitat Store but no luck for the faucet handle, Sorry !!

As for the Island Top, I would use a butcher block top weather you make it or purchase one. There reasonably priced shouldn't be too expensive. 

[Larry.Jenkins]

Thanks Dan..

As I stated in my other post about kitchen sink faucets, after the fella asked what went wrong, I sweet talked Moen in replacing the handle for just the shipping cost.  Great Company.

Thanks also for taking the time to try and find  a handle to fit my model.

I think I might make a counter top using 6/4 hard maple and cut the strips into squares so I can orient the pieces to look the best.

Further opines?

Larry

[Grandpa Bill]

I believe the site mentioned above saya that red oak STAIN is the only stain available. No mention of red oak wood for the tops.

[knotscott]

Larry - We modified our island top from a Formica laminant to maple.  We basically went with a shape that we thought looked good that would fit the space.  We used maple because I had plenty on hand, it's a suitable material, and it was appealing to us.  After jointing and planing the boards, I did a straight butt joint glue ups with no biscuits or mechanical fasteners....no need really with a tight fitting joint.  Most of the boards are in the 3"-5" range x ~ 6'. 

[-Paladin-]

I recently saw a counter top done with laminated bamboo flooring. The fellow had taken regular BB flooring ripped off the T&G to give 2"W planks, surface sanded, and glued up a slab for the island.

It is now about 1.5 years old, lives in a very, very busy family home and looks great.

[Jimca]

Larry,

A friend of mine found a butcher block counter top, unfinished at Ikea.  The wood was beech I think and it was unbelievably inexpensive.  Goto their web site and search under LAGAN counter top.  It can be stained/ finished as desired.  He also found a link on GardenWeb where someone posted pics of theirs.  It turned out beautiful w a dark stain and Waterlox finish applied after routing a nice profile on it.

[jandsjacobson99]

When I look at the site, it has both maple and red oak listed for butcher blocks.  But perhaps they are talking about the stain, not the wood species.  Looks like the other way round, but you may be right.