Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Warped butcher block

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Expert: - 1/5/2009


Question
I bought a butcher block cart (it's the one at the top of the page here: http://www.johnboos.com/residential/products.cfm?category=jbc0005) a little over a year ago.  It arrived in perfect condition and remained so for as long as I was in that apartment. I recently moved in to an apartment with radiator heating, and unfortunately the cart doesn't fit comfortably in my kitchen, so I would like to sell it.  Two days ago, I noticed for the first time that the cutting board had warped rather badly, just in time for me to show a potential buyer.  Is this something I can fix in a day?  Or can I reassure him that it will return to its former shape in a more humid apartment?

Answer
Hi Jordan, no, I'm afraid you can't hope to fix this in a day, and maybe not at all. Did you oil this cutting board regularly? Extremes in humidity will change a wooden block like this, and often times for the worse....the only way to "fix" this permanently is to replace it with a new one I fear.Once a piece of wood has dried out to the point that it's cells have collapsed enough to deform it, it's usually not going back. I would call Boos and get the price for a replacement block..you'll likely have to adjust the price down for yours.....but there's no way to cure it quickly. Regular oiling slows down evaporation and over drying of a cutting board like this, as well as washing it in water occasionally, and hand drying it before oiling, flipping it occasionally,etc....It likely came with concise care instructions, and if you have those, you may want to reread them and pass them on to the new owner to help prevent this issue in the future...Boos Mystery oil is one of the best block oils, too. Wish I had better news, regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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