🖼️
The project:
A hidden knife block in a piece of beautiful live edge timber
- Materials:
Piece of locally sourced camphor but any timber that suits your style will work for this
Rare earth magnets
https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhang-30-x-10mm-magnet-block-6-pack_p0519740?store=8103&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21122993677&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB8Nyj6_3hgF-5NdHPtxmxb-i&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6_HSBhCpARIsANvVltbofhSA-u_IdouD1-Q5YHXiHh8Pbj9vvPrstW1m8RbRTFyCf97erhgaAoyqEALw_wcB
Flush mount wall hanger
https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhang-11kg-flush-mount-picture-hanger-set_p3930583?store=8199&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21122993677&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB8Nyj6_3hgF-5NdHPtxmxb-i&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6_HSBhCpARIsANvVltaaxAfBJdF3NfGH0OXQvy4I6TUYV40rkOGbUoMsuLbvNE5u8HOhkecaAlNBEALw_wcB
Tung oil
https://www.bunnings.com.au/gilly-s-250ml-100-pure-tung-oil_p0329965?store=8199&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21119565770&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB8aad55tYOsfpON21OdB5N5b&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6_HSBhCpARIsANvVltblKqfOdrYAVo6O_ffDkb2frz6Q0wlA_ZXvDIj-i1qZMlmwW3loaJYaAhSJEALw_wcB
2 part epoxy adhesive
https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-8ml-araldite-super-strong-epoxy-adhesive_p0893435
- Tools:
Circular saw
Router
Drill
- Step 1:
Route out the backside of your timber just big enough for the magnets to stick. I tested different magnet layouts at the time and opted for 2 rows and 8 columns. If I was to do this again I would opt for 3 rows to ensure shorter knives are behind held by at least 2 rows.
The trick here is to route out enough so there's only around 5mm of timber between the magnet and the knife. I also found a sweet spot where the magnets were close enough to each other that they felt like they boosted each other. Only rare earth magnets worked for me when I was testing out my options.
- Step 2:
Glue in the magnets. I used a 2 part epoxy glue so that it would be super strong and go off relatively fast.
The trick here is to lay the timber face down ontop of a steel surface so you can ensure the magnets are facing the correct way and to help them stay while the glue dried. If you are struggling with magnets moving around do this stage in a couple of passes so that you aren't sticking down neighbouring magnets at the same time
- Step 3:
Add a wall hanger. I opted for a flush mount wall hanger so that I knew it wouldn't move on the wall when grabbing knives on and off
- Step 4:
Seal timber as per instructions on tung oil bottle.
Tung oil is my go to choice because it's what was recommended to me and is easy to use. Its all natural and completely food safe which is important for this job.
If you want to opt for a different finish or would like a gloss that's okay but please keep in mine that you will want the finish to be food safe for this purpose. Some epoxy resins are (but not all) and other timber finishes may vary.
