Solid wood butcher block vs MDF for my desk top, I went with the butcher block

I spent like 3 weeks going back and forth on this for my new desk build. MDF is cheap and flat but I kept reading about it sagging under monitor arms. My local lumber yard had a 6 foot birch butcher block for $140 and I just went for it. Sanding and finishing took me a whole Saturday but it feels solid as a rock. Two 27 inch monitors on an arm and there's zero flex even in the middle. Has anyone else tried sealing butcher block with just danish oil instead of poly?

3 comments

3 Comments

hill.hugo20d ago

Honestly, the danish oil thing is interesting. I tried it on a smaller piece and it looked great but then a coffee cup left a ring on it the first week. Poly is boring but I don't stress about coasters anymore.

oliver_ward1420d ago

How long did you let the danish oil cure before you put the cup on it? I've heard some people say you gotta wait a full month or it just sits on top.

davis.casey8d ago

Is it really that big of a deal though? I mean, people act like a tiny cup ring is the end of the world. I put a coat of poly on my butcher block after letting the danish oil cure for like two weeks and I barely even use coasters now. If you're worried about a water mark, just sand that spot with some fine grit and re-oil it. It takes maybe 20 minutes tops. All this "gotta wait a month" stuff feels like internet overkill to me. My desk has seen spilled coffee and soda cans and I just wipe it off and it's fine. Maybe if you're building a kitchen island it matters, but for a desk? Just build the thing and use it.