There's a guy in Brooklyn who has a huge stash of old maple bowling alley lanes that he says a person can make counter tops out of. The wood is actually pretty beautiful and some of it has inlaid pin markings.
I'm seriously considering doing it. The catch is that the lanes are wider than a counter is deep, so I'd need to split it. The lanes are made of panels glued and nailed together, which means a circular saw would be cutting through nails. Bowling Alley Guy says I just need the right saw blade.
Before I go much farther down this road … does this all sound a bit right?
The whole project feels like it is within my wheelhouse. I have a circular saw and a sander. Does anyone have experience with this?
Best Answer
I don't have direct experience but generally speaking while a circular saw blade can go through nails, it's dangerous as it increases the risk of a kick back.
Although slower, you will be far safer if you cut the counter using a reciprocating saw with a demolition or dual wood/metal blade attached. That will cut through nails without the kickback potential.
You should cut your pieces a bit wide, say 1/8" extra, since your initial cut very likely won't be perfect. After the initial cut, you can sand the edge down to fit.