Building a desk, installing the legs... how close to the edge of the butcher block is safe to attach screws?

Submitted by SnooSongs3993 t3_zzhwt4 in DIY

Desk is a few 1 inch thick butcher blocks in an L, the legs I'm using have 8 screw holes with a square alignment, like a tic tac toe board minus the middle. Wondering how close to the edge I can safely put the 3 edge screws without risk of damaging the wood or the structural integrity. Thanks!

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Also I haven't picked the exact screws yet if anyone feels strongly, plan on doing 1/2" length for sure to stick to the half way through rule.

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1_plastics_ave t1_j2bql6r wrote

I just made a butcher block desk for my wife for Christmas. I went with 1" from the edge. Predrilled all the holes and used 3/4" screws.

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SnooSongs3993 OP t1_j2brkev wrote

Did you have any cracking or support issues on the edge? I found someone saying 2", does feel a bit excessive, 1" looks safe with 5/8 screws much further down the board

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EmperorGeek t1_j2bx21s wrote

Don’t forget to account for the thickness of the leg mounting plates.

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SnooSongs3993 OP t1_j2c0dsw wrote

In terms of my edge question or just in general? The plates will extend past that 1 inch mark, but not off the edge by the layout

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EmperorGeek t1_j2c2wm0 wrote

I was thinking about the length of your screws. You will lose the thickness of the mounting plate on the legs.

As for how far from the edge, it sounds like there will be plenty of support from the other screws, so as long as you properly pre-drill the holes, you should be OK with 3/4 setback for the screws.

Are we talking about end grain butcher block or that thing where they glue blocks together for butcher block countertops? End grain might warrant a little more setback, but with as many screws as you are talking about, you might still be fine.

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SnooSongs3993 OP t1_j2c38yp wrote

Thanks. I did think about that for the screws, maybe 3/4 inch? Definitely going to grab choices and measure to be sure.

No it's real wood, home depot not IKEA.

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grittyoaktitmouse t1_j2cirsz wrote

The Ikea one is wood too. They meant which direction are the wood pieces in the butcher block - would the wood be growing up like a tree or to the side? It sounds like you have the latter.

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RearEchelon t1_j2co2rw wrote

How thick are the plates at the top of the legs? If they're at least 1/8" I would use 1" screws. I definitely wouldn't use any shorter than 3/4". Keep your holes 1" from the edge at minimum, and make sure you predrill. You can use a flag of painter's tape on the drill bit as a depth stop.

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SnooSongs3993 OP t1_j2dfbly wrote

Thanks. Will do, going to measure the screws to be sure, go 1" from the edge. Going to have to look up this painters tape technique, good idea

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RearEchelon t1_j2er88j wrote

Just pinch a piece of tape to itself around the bit at the depth you want and stop drilling when the tape hits the surface.

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SnooSongs3993 OP t1_j2e0zgk wrote

May I ask you another dumb question, you sound like you know your stuff!

Every hardwax oil how to says to sand using 150-220, is there any benefit or downside to sanding smoother? 300, 500, 600?

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EmperorGeek t1_j2f5oas wrote

If you sand “too fine” you restrict the ability of the wood to absorb the oil. It’s generally best to follow the directions, at least the first time.

Assume that the people who created the product have done the basic testing and understand how to get good results.

Then, when you have a project or two under your belt, you can start to experiment with the finishes. You’ll know how they would look if applied per instructions, and be able to tell if you like your method better or theirs.

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EmperorGeek t1_j2f5wg0 wrote

By the way, my attitude is “There are no stupid questions, only stupid mistakes!”

That was a sign that hung in a machine shop I worked in one summer. I’ll never forget it.

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Kflynn1337 t1_j2dlf8y wrote

Typically, you should put the screws no nearer to the edge than the thickness of the wood... so one inch in from the edge.

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EbolaFred t1_j2dyfhq wrote

1" from edge should be fine. As others have said, make sure you pre-drill to your fastener's "shaft" diameter. You might even want to go a hair over if you're getting too much resistance when you start screwing.

I used 1/4" lag bolts on mine and the top is on SOLID.

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robb04 t1_j2fmler wrote

That’s the “minor” diameter of the screw. If you want to be ultra precise you can look up thread measurements online based on the standard size of the hardware (eg #5 wood screw is 1/8 basic size, .085 root or minor). You don’t need anything to strong as the bolt is not supporting the weight of the desk. Only keeping the leg from moving laterally. The weight of the desk will be resting on the leg and you could just set it there with no hardware temporarily, and it would stay there.

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EbolaFred t1_j2frevm wrote

Thanks, appreciate the additional clarity!

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