Acacia Butcher Block Countertop by Allen + Roth

I purchased a butcher block counter top for an island. I was shocked by the condition when I opened the packaging. I had to cut it down to size so the the poor cut quality wasn't a big deal. However I do not want a counter with a dozens holes and the surface wavy. You can't see this until you remove it from the package. On the package it says stain and finish ready. I am letting people know unless you have a 40 in drum sander don't expect to finish this without hours of sanding.

[@dianeepler8685]

Thank you so much for sharing I had planned to buy that exact brand today. You saved me a lot of work!!

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad I could help!

[@joannottens1947]

Ugh. I just ordered one on Sunday to make a desk out of. Different brand but probably same problems. I'll have to check it over good.

[@mousepotato581]

@@joannottens1947What brand did you get, and how was the quality? I was planning on buying a 72"x30" acacia butcher block, to make a desk this week.

[@bobcat5412]

I bought this product for a kitchen remodel. What I bought was in very nice shape without any of these issues. Of course I was selective when picking out my two pieces. I'm very happy with the price and quality.

[@ShopRamblings]

This one can't be the norm. Most are better. Just letting people know to pay attention when picking one out.

[@TheGonebald]

I just bought a 10’ version of what you have. Mine is for my garage cabinets. No blemishes at all. Sorry you had a bad experience.

[@ShopRamblings]

They stopped selling this brand in this size. Maybe it they didn't have a wide enough sander. Most are great quality, so it may have been something with this particular size.

[@dkemm2013]

Bought the exact countertops at Lowes In South Carolina 3 moths ago and they were actually really good-tried to look as close as I could under the plastic in the store... a FEW spots here and there, but nothing crazy at all- every person that has seen them in my house just says " Wow" so not all of them are bad...

[@ShopRamblings]

That is how it should be. I am not sure what happened to this one, but it was very poor quality.

[@dkemm2013]

@@ShopRamblings You are doing the right thing to tell everybody...!

[@PatBed]

Thank you for the info, i was shopping around and i'm glad i came across your video for some heads up quality of the butcher block.

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad to help

[@12juslookin]

Bought and installed this get many compliments and saved big.

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad to help

[@melanielinamen2853]

I just put my third or 4 th coat of milk paint tongue oil and it’s just lovely! Imperfections and all.❤

[@melanielinamen2853]

Same product

[@ShopRamblings]

I am glad you got a good one. It should last for years.

[@nicksimpson9103]

We looked at these exact top yesterday at our local Lowe's store. We are using kitchen base cabinets for bathroom cabinets and need a flat top without a backsplash. We ultimately decided to go a different way yesterday but saw your video today and glad I didn't go that route. What a shame that our source stores can't sell a good quality product the way it is advertised and priced. Even the employees a lot of the time in these areas that are selling these products don't know what they're selling or how to finish the products they are selling.

[@ShopRamblings]

For the price, they should have better quality control. I don't blame the workers. It is the higher up people who source the products to sell.

[@nicksimpson9103]

Oh no I agree 100%. But the people they choose to put in the departments they are in that don't have a clue about what they are doing or selling to help a customer with questions about their projects or to provide decent answers to someone trying to to buy one of their products

[@amandagersbacher9116]

I bought two 10’ butcher block counter tops 2 years ago from Lowe’s the Acacia on clearance for $90. Just opened it to use it and it was great. They must have lowered their quality control.

[@ShopRamblings]

I don't think this is how most of them are. If so, they would be returning so many that they would be losing money. I mainly wanted people to be aware so they could check them before it was too late to return them.

[@carcasscruncher9354]

Its wood man. Wood shrinks, expands, has imperfections. Usually on butcher block one side is nice. The other side looks like that. That side is supposed to go down.

[@ShopRamblings]

The other side was worse.

[@carcasscruncher9354]

@@ShopRamblings well, that explains your disappointment in the product. I bet the manufacturer didnt make sure the moisture levels of the wood were correct before gluing it all together. Maybe add some humidity to the room until it swells back then seal it immediately. Idk just a thought.

[@whatausee]

⁠@@ShopRamblingsthat was going to be my question, but much appreciated.

[@adlygaray351]

Hello we’re looking to buy a unfinished butcher block from Home Depot and my question is how do we “finish” them?? We have never had these before so we have. I idea Thanks

[@MajorGameSlacker]

​@@adlygaray351buy polyurethane, coat along the grain on all sides, wait till it dries, sand down with 200 grit sandpaper, apply second coat - wait to dry - done.

[@dietrichhertel9366]

I think that I was thinking like you. That it would only need to be sealed. Not ‘finished’, like they didn’t finish making it. 😂 I guess it’s different expectations of finished. 😂

[@ShopRamblings]

I think this one was just thrown in to meet their quota for the week. I don't mind sanding. I just don't have a 36in drum sander to make it flat. It had dips at almost every glue joint of 1/16 to 1/8 in.

[@davidm6518]

Seems this is meant to be a rustic grade product, and knots/imperfections should be expected. I'm sure pricing reflects this as well. If you want a perfect piece of wood for a custom countertop you will be paying 5X, so I think these products are meant to hit a target market where the average person can afford them. I've bought butcher block products from Lowes and had no issues whatsoever.

[@ShopRamblings]

I have been by and seen these, and they don't look like this. The thing was not even square. It felt like the sanded with 60 grit, raised the grain but never sanded it back down. It felt and looked almost furry. That is not what I would call finish ready.

[@michaelhope125]

I was just about to purchase one from that same company, thanks for the heads up

[@ShopRamblings]

The old brand looked like better quality to me, but these were cheaper. I thought they may have been trying to save customers some money. Then when I looked at their website the price on the size I bought had jumped over $100 in a month. I was able to get it flat and smooth. It just added several hours I wasn't expecting.

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

looking at Lowes for a desk out of butcher block. The rough cuts I would not worry about. The surface quality is terrible especially due to the tear outs. The warping factor is just a bit much, some is expected. Under the specified dimension is not a good thing for countertop materials.

[@ShopRamblings]

It seems that there is a wide range in the quality of these boards.

[@noroomforgloom]

Just purchased prior to watching this video. Like it so far from under the packaging. We shall see.

[@ShopRamblings]

It think the majority of them are good. They don't sell this size in this brand any more. So hopefully they have fixed the issues that caused this.

[@awildarivera8727]

Thanks so much I'm going to get some this week...

[@ShopRamblings]

Most of them are good. Just be aware.

[@madman432000]

I just did a counter with a piece of birch BB. It's better than this one but in the center run of boards where the end grains join there is a dip even after finishing. Some of the boards making it up are softer than others and there is a slight difference when sanded. I did read about there being a good side and a rougher side to BB.

[@ShopRamblings]

Yeah, this one had dips at every joint on both sides. I made it work, but it took several additional hours getting it flat. I finally broke down and got a 54" drum sander so it wouldn't be a problem now.

[@r1powerburn]

I had to pick through to find a good one at slowes , but it turned out great after I sealed it up.

[@ShopRamblings]

I wished I had picked through them, but it turned out great after several hours of sanding.

[@jonfrink5944]

How did you go about sanding them? Type of sander? Grit? Thanks!@@ShopRamblings

[@ShopRamblings]

I used an 8in block with 80grit to get it flat. Then I used 6in orbital sander going 80, 120, 220. I use 3m Xtract paper and disc. I use a MaxXt sander.

[@summerfox9292]

Got one at Lowe's in Illinois, looks really good

[@ShopRamblings]

Several people have said that they've got some really good ones. I couldn't believe how bad the one was that I received. If they were all like that I don't think that they would sell them for very long.

[@bcroft68bc]

The ends were most likely cut with a skill saw. It might have been a good cut but the person that sanded the end doesn’t know how to hold the sander flat on the end. Some people get in a hurry when sanding ends and can really mess it up. For getting the best butcher block countertop, it’s best to find a skilled carpenter that takes a lot of pride in their work.

[@ShopRamblings]

You are right.

[@H0kieJoe]

Lots of color variations in acacia. Pretty wood. I would have filled the imperfections with clear epoxy or colored to your liking; and then sand and seal.

[@ShopRamblings]

This was not for me or a high-end client. If it was, I would have built one. This claimed to be "finish" ready. I had figured the project price accordingly. It is very disappointing to open the plastic wrap and realize you have several hours of additional work that you are not going to be paid for.

[@H0kieJoe]

@@ShopRamblings Understandable.

[@brokenrockadventures]

I love all the imperfections. It adds character, and gives a warmer feel. Just run a orbital sander.

[@ShopRamblings]

For the price I was charging I already felt bad not custom building a countertop. I could not deliver an island that your plate would wobble on.

[@clinte1981]

Butcher block countertops always have an A & B side. The A side is supposed to be flat and shouldn't have any knot holes. I'm sure you checked both sides of the countertop. That is actually very surprising if that is the A side of the countertop!

[@ShopRamblings]

Mine must of had a side C and D. Neither side was close to flat. Neither side was close to smooth. Both sides had knots. I must not have made it clear in the video as it was a spur of the moment decision to shot this with my phone.

[@CalleyyyC]

Got one from Lowe’s today, same condition as yours

[@ShopRamblings]

That is not good. I thought they had taken care of the quality issues.

[@CalleyyyC]

@@ShopRamblings not as many knots and holes as yours, but very uneven surface like yours

[@ginniferleflore9893]

Damn! This was the exact one that I wanted for my dream kitchen!😮 Do you think I would be able to get this planed?

[@ShopRamblings]

Most of them are good. I think I just got a bad one. Just check them before you purchase.

[@RobertFlanagan-zd3vh]

Why didnt you make your own ? What can you expect for something sold for a few hundred bucks made in a likely vietnam ? Acacia wood depepending on if its the big leaf or small leaf aciacia wood has plenty of "character knots" which is incredibly popular now . Allen and roth also sells clear panels free of knots . Throw it through a large drum sander or wide belt epoxy any large knots and square up the edges . A few hundred bucks is a heck of a value countertop for budget shoppers . You Get what you pay for in this my guy and honestly with a bit of elbow grease thats still a great buy . We built countertops and cabinetry .

[@ShopRamblings]

I agree with everything you say. I got this because I was in a hurry and didn't have a drum sander. The package said finish ready. This wasn't close. The price is irrelevant. You should get what it says it is. Most of these are finish ready. I had this in my shop for a week. Had I suspected the quality of this board was so poor, I could have taken it back and got another one. I am just making people aware so they can check the top they are getting to make sure it is a good one, not like this one.

[@RobertFlanagan-zd3vh]

@@ShopRamblings I'm sure it turned out gorgeous did you post photos finished ? Acacia is actually one of my favorites due to the high contrast of the sapwood and heartwood . Much like black walnut but in its own way . Wish I could source some 8-12/4 for countertops locally without having to import it from the asian continent

[@phil4223]

Think I'd have taken that back. Unfinished means it's not coated. Shouldn't have anything to do with not being grown, cut, or prepared properly. You can tell by the end grain those are very young lumber. No wonder there are so many knots. That should have been visible before even taking the plastic off though. I'd never bought it in the first place unless they had some better quality.

[@ShopRamblings]

I think the wood was still wet when they built it, and each board shrank. I ould have taken it back but was in a time crunch. It took several hours of sanding, but I made it look great. Now I have a drum sander that can do up to 50" wide. It would only take a few minutes for me to fix it now.

[@markharding6582]

Gezzzz!!! What did you expect for $193.97 per square foot?

[@ShopRamblings]

For it to be close to what it said it was on the package.

[@grant9047]

I was just at Lowe’s and there’s all kinds of marks and scratches in it

[@ShopRamblings]

They really seam to be hit or miss. Many people have commented they have found great one. You just have to check them carefully before buying.

[@richardfowler3254]

I am doing a commission piece, and I am using a pre-made butcherblock countertop. I was able to source my wood from my local lumber dealer. I do not like to go the "Big Box" stores for anything other than 2x4's (and they can be suspect). A quality lumber supplier will have better quality materials and I am finding that they have lower prices, they sell wood as a commodity so the market prices can vary daily but I have always got better quality materials and help to load into my truck.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks for the info.

[@VickyLatorreArt]

I'm confused. Is that what it means unfinished? If it is not that how or what is unfinished means?

[@ShopRamblings]

It says "finish ready." In wood working, the term "finish" is a final coat of sealer or protectant that is applied to a flat, smooth piece of wood. If you are still confused, just Google "wood finish." So when it says "finish ready" I would expect it to be ready to have finish applied.

[@Cowboy684]

my birch 6'x25" was way cleaner than your acacia island. I went through the available ones and tried to find the best one but damn yours looks like a bunch of scrap! I'd take that garbage back and tell them to do better!

[@ShopRamblings]

I would have if I had the time to wait on them getting another one in. I made it turn out nice. It just took some extra work.

[@gund89123]

Did they cut that edge with hand saw ? I am not good at wood work, i would probably cut like that.

[@ShopRamblings]

Maybe a chain saw

[@travelwell8098]

You may want to check the moisture content while you're at it

[@ShopRamblings]

I think that might have been the issue.

[@crawdaddct]

Looks like the bottom. Usually top does not have knots.

[@ShopRamblings]

Both sides were the same.

[@piapadmore430]

Awww. That’s too bad😢

[@ShopRamblings]

👍

[@oakoliver7183]

So you expect thousand dollar quality from 100 dollar piece of wood?

[@ShopRamblings]

No. I can get a $3 board that has been dried. I think the wood was not properly dried before it was glued. Regardless if a product states it is or does something, I expect it to be or do what it claims. This stated "finish ready". It was not smooth or flat. A construction grade 2x4 has a smoother surface than this did..

[@gideonblue7687]

Was this solid acacia if you ever cut into it or is it plank glued to something else? Thank you.

[@ShopRamblings]

Yes, it was solid. I think the wood may not have been dry when they glued it. Each board dipped down in the middle like it had shrunk, and some of the seams had pulled apart.

[@mollyschultz2331]

These have a bottom and top. Check other side

[@ShopRamblings]

The other side was worse.

[@FBCTrona]

You never said where you bought it from or where you would buy one from.

[@ShopRamblings]

The store didn't make it. That is why I just showed the brand. I would not buy that brand again. The store where I got it from also carries a different brand. If I needed to buy another top, I would be comfortable buying a different brand from the same store.

[@FBCTrona]

@@ShopRamblings Thank you

[@Stevesbe]

Big box store what do you expect? Did you know big manufacturers make a separate line of cheaper products that they sell at Lowe's and home depot?

[@ShopRamblings]

I kind of expect the item to be close to what they state on the package.

[@billybike57]

You get what you pay for, with higher quality comes a higher price

[@ShopRamblings]

To a degree, you are right. I was not expecting top quality. However, I would expect to get what it states on the package it is.

[@karenfagon-whatley250]

Dont these comes with an A. And B. Side?

[@ShopRamblings]

Not on the one I got. Both sides were bad. I have had people comment that they received a good one. I would open the plastic and check before leaving the store if I was to buy another one.

[@distantgalaxymusic1447]

Call a whah-mbulance…😂 Sorry man, these are not ready to go, you must prepare all wood surfaces for a proper finish. Unless you hand select the wood and build it yourself this is what you get. I bought these same countertops and before I walked into Lowe’s I knew I would have to do all the finishing work.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks for the tips!

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks for watching

[@JR-kk6ce]

Hello? It is called Wabi Sabi - the appreciation of the beauty of imperfection. It is an oriental concept that is totally lacking in the US. In the US everything must be perfect and painted. The result is that everything looks sterile and fake. Compare a US building to one in Europe and you will see what I mean.

[@ShopRamblings]

I get the beauty of imperfections. I however would like my counter flat enough that sliding my glass to the other side of my plate wouldn't cause it to spill. I also like my counters to not feel like they have fur. There was around 1mm raise at every glue joint like the wood was green when it was glued and shrank in between the joints. The surface felt like a peach. Boards come out of my planner looking better than what this looked like.

[@JimRimS4S]

are you sure that isnt b side

[@ShopRamblings]

If it was, they were both b sides.

[@optionstrader9637]

It is a cheap butcher block counter try not to over expect because the let down sucks lol

[@ShopRamblings]

Most of them are decent. This one was ridiculously poor quality.

[@billhatcher9303]

This is not real butcher block. That would be a good grade of maple. What you have would never be considered as butcher block by any competent wood worker. Might make a workbench top.

[@ShopRamblings]

I agree

[@Marwil23]

plain wood not going to be perfect i think you might be happier with a picture glued to MDF

[@ShopRamblings]

I don't need perfect, but I have seen boards cut with a chain saw that were flatter. I do expect not to have to worry about my glass spilling when I set it down.

[@Marwil23]

@@ShopRamblings i have these countertops not that bad great for the price. chain saw countertops sounds really cool.

[@ShopRamblings]

@Marwil23 I have seen some that were good. The one I got was like they shrank in-between each glue joint. Every 2 inches there was a gap. The whole thing was furry like a peach.

[@Momtojoshcanpark]

Are you sure that's not the back????? The back has imperfections.

[@ShopRamblings]

Both sides were that bad.

[@herbertocobock9436]

What country?

[@ShopRamblings]

Bought it in Florida , USA.

[@chozen_juan]

Why dont they sell them finished already? Who the hell has time to mess with all of that..

[@ShopRamblings]

Good question

[@rogerhodges7656]

You purchased something that is very cheap and is character grade. You got a bargain price. on a second rate product. Complaining about the width being 38-15/16 instead of 39" is like the people that sue because a 2x4 on only 1-1'1/2 x 3-1/2." You got what you paid for.

[@ShopRamblings]

I can understand it being a 16th inch short. The package said finish ready. This was not even close to me finished ready. Would comes off my saw smoother than what this was. I would definitely say I did not get what I paid for. I understand if I wanted a quality top I could have built it myself. A 2x4 is a common name but it states most every store and every Builder knows that the nominal dimensions are one and a half by three and a half. This would be more like I paid twice as much for a Select Grade 2x4 and got number twos instead. This doesn't really matter to me as I was able to deliver project it only took a couple more hours. But I was putting the video out just to make people aware so that they could expect their cops before they leave the store as most of them are good this was exceptionally poor quality.

[@outofcontrol4499]

You get what you pay for? I'll bet you couldn't buy decent lumber for the project for what this thing cost

[@ShopRamblings]

I don't remember what I paid for it. I just looked, and they no longer sell it. They have a different brand in this size. It currently comes out at just under $6 bft. I can get some wood at that price. I would have to buy more as there would be waste. Then the time in gluing up. I don't have a 30" sander. The main reason I bought it was I didn't want to have to flatten it. I don't do wide glue ups that often, but I am shopping for a drum sander for when I do.

[@robertjames-life4768]

Bought one for my office, had same experience, total garbage

[@ShopRamblings]

I think they are hit or missed. Mine was horrible, but I have seen some in store that looked OK. It is hard to tell the way they have them wrapped in plastic.

[@billsilcott9692]

you get what you pay for.

[@ShopRamblings]

Not always. I paid for finish ready.

[@leeboy244]

take that sumofagun back

[@ShopRamblings]

I would have but did not have time to build one. It took several hours, but I got it flat.

[@Horner181]

You could have saved hundreds of dollars and made one yourself fairly easy.your have to do the last 25% of the work anyway and your not getting to use your preferred wood

[@ShopRamblings]

I would have preferred to make one. I was hoping this would have saved me some time. I was being paid for the job. I could have bought the material and built one, but once you add labor to it, it would have been about the same if it had been finish ready like it said it was. Having to flatten it, it was not a better deal.

[@VulcanXIV]

Yeah, Allen + Roth makes fancy designs for home decor but if the item requires worksmanship, it will be TRASH

[@ShopRamblings]

It took several unplanned hours, but I got it flat. I just hope it stays together.

[@Kt-cn2rq]

​@@ShopRamblings let me know how yours is I didn't sand mine flat so we can compare 🤣

[@ShopRamblings]

Yours must have been in better shape than mine because there was no way a person could use the one I had the way it was. It took several hours, but mine is flat and smooth like it should have been when I got it.

[@TheBalognaPony]

Looking into butcher block what would you suggest?

[@ShopRamblings]

The previous brand they had "The Baltic Butcher Block" looked nice. I would open the plastic and check if I was to buy another one. I am sure that every brand may have good and bad. The one I received was surprisingly bad. It really is much better to just make your own. I was just trying to save some time, and it didn't go as planned.

[@house9850]

that's awful .. I'll make a note of the brand: "allen + roth"

[@ShopRamblings]

From the comments, they are hit or miss. Some people have gotten some good ones. Just be sure to check them close before leaving the store.

[@jarred281]

Pays less than $400 for a massive butcher block and then complains about imperfections. You would pay $1500+ to have that size and perfect.

[@ShopRamblings]

Ok, I am just showing what I received. My 2 complaints were, it states that it is finish ready. Sanding with 80 grit made the surface smoother. I guess you can put finish on a tree but I would not consider it finish ready unless it was sanded smooth. Secondly it was not flat. Almost every board dipped in almost 1/16". From the responses I have received this is not how many of them are. So if some are like this and some are good for the same price why not let people know so they can check them instead of counting on it being what it says it is.

[@danielguastavino6634]

Dude get over it. Just finish it and lay it down.

[@ShopRamblings]

Ok