All the old butcherblocks I saw had wooden plugs that covered the holes
where the heads and nuts of the tensioning device (rod) were hid. Again,
trying to remember, I believe there were 4 rods holding the corners tight
together.
I imagine with age these plugs fall out and one should be able to see the
ends of the rods/nuts.
Many old these old timers have very visible sloping tops where the years of
cutting and chopping have worn away the wood.
Some like to 'true up' these tops by clamping 2x6's (about 12" longer than
the width of the block) level on opposite sides of the block, and just above
the highest part of the top. Then they make a router jig (like a 1x8) that
is more than twice the width of the block. Then this jig, with the router
centered in it, can slide back and forth on top of the level 2x6's. With
small 'bites' eventually the block trues up.
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> I recently purchased an antique butcher block that needs some
> restoration. The first thing I need to do is tighten the rods that
> hold it together. Can anyone tell me how to do this?