Joining wood to make it longer for counter top

[Harold Balzonia]

If you want to highlight the extensions, I might use a mortise/tenon as opposed to a straight butt joint. Still sandwich the boards together in a staggered pattern, but the joints will catch the eye more. If you really want to make it noticeable, make a mortise in each end and use a contrasting wood to create a tenon that fits in both ends of the butt joint. You'll end up with rectangles randomly placed throughout. Some people might dig that look.

[Sean Hagerty]

I cant thank everyone enough for the input here. You have all given me plenty of info on how to do this. I will try to remember to post pics whenever this gets put together.

Thanks again

Sean

[Mark Wooden]

+1 on Staggered butt joints as the best application in this instance. Glue up your lengths 1st with a temporary cleat on the underside to hold it together while you glue up the top if you're uncomfortable with a lot of joints during a glue up.
You should do a complete fit up and clamp up dry 1st though, mark it all with pencil lines, numbers, letters- what ever your favorite marking system is. Then just start gluing and placing the pieces where they need to be- a dead blow mallet is worth it's weight in gold here- clamp, let dry, scrape the glue, cut the ends, sand & finish. Easy peasy

[Sean Hagerty]

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Here is one I did recently. Smallish, only 5' by 2'. I really enjoyed the process and since it was short enough, I had lumber that was full length.

[Wayne Lomman]

Looks good Sean. What timber is it? Cheers

[Sean Hagerty]

Looks good Sean. What timber is it? Cheers

Walnut. I love the way it looks.