When we had new countertops installed, the contractor asked us if we wanted to keep the material that was cut out for the installation of the sink and the stove top. Since we had paid for it, we were not about to let it get thrown away. We used both pieces for "work surfaces" in the garage, but I bet one of them would have made a decent portable kneading board.

Why don't you check around and see if you can find a small contractor in your area who night have a cut-out like this. I doubt if that would cost $100! Of course, it would have raw edges -- but that wouldn't stop me.

Mary

You could use any (large) wooden cutting board. I used to have quite a large one for meat carving. I had a "gutter" around the edge for collecting juices, but flipping it over yielded a perfectly flat surface. Whatever you use, you should always put a towel under it, or one of the rubber-like anti-slip mats you can get in any hardware store. This will allow you to push the dough around with the board sliding on your counters.

Once you decide you are more serious and expense is less of an issue (perhaps), consider doing what I did. For $180 I got a single piece of maple countertop, sizes about 25" x  48" x 1.5". I put some rubber feet on the bottom (hardware store: Sta-put Bumpers from ANCHORWire) and put the whole thing on top of my tile countertop. It is heavy and does not move an inch while I work. The larger size gives me a larger work surface for all my work on bread. It is very helpful to have an area where there may be some flour on the surface, and another where there is not, etc.

Considering that a good hardwood board might cost a $100 (as you say), I think this is a steal and much more functional. You do not need hardwood anyway. Maple is the material you find in most "real" kitchens. The board comes with a long lasting finish that protects etc and makes cleaning easy. Wood tends to not harbor microbes as long/easily anyway. You can glimpse a piece of my "kneading board in this picture":

Suas' Cinnamon Rolls

My local handyman got me the countertop so I don't know exactly where, and he may have had a contractor's discount, but here is an example of an online source: http://www.choppingblocks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=KCT&Category_Code=UPBB&Store_Code=C

--dolf

See my My Bread Adventures in pictures

I use a stainless-steel rimmed cookie sheet. I put that rubber mesh stuff under it to keep it from sliding, and I spray oil (Pam) on the inside surface of the pan and on my hands. Then I knead the dough in the pan. I don't do much kneading; a little at the beginning, and then several folds. I think kneading is highly over-rated.

It's amazing how even the stickiest dough doesn't stick to the Pam. And if it does, I spray a little more. If for some reason I want a cooler or warmer surface, I just run some cold or hot water on the other side of the pan.

Best of all, when I'm finished, the cookie sheet goes into the dishwasher.

I use a board that I was given a few years ago; it has a lip that hangs over the edge of the table that keeps it from slipping, but I've also kneaded right on the top of our enamel-topped table.  My father made all his bread on that table, and I've used the countertop as well.  As for kneading being overrated, to me it's one of the best parts of making bread.  I love the whole experience of kneading.  Sure, there are breads, the wetter ones, that require folding and are impossible to knead and I enjoy making those too, but kneading dough is a wonderful feeling.  And you don't need (!) special equipment to do it.

or tables, find yourself a large plastic bowl that is smooth, well rounded and flat on the bottom. A thin coating of oil before getting started and one can mix, knead, fold and proof all in the same utensil. It is even portable! And they can be very cheap too!  And with a little luck, come in designer colors!

Mini O

I had tile counter tops until a month or so ago and you've never lived till you have scrubbed dough out of the grout when it gets dried out. I bought a silicone dough mat from King Arthur for $29, and I was a happy woman. Wipe it off, fold it up small and put in a drawer till you are ready to go again. It is even  non-slip. It is cheap, and since it folds up ,it's easy to store. What more could I ask. 

I don't know how much room you have but this is where I make my bread....

 http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00049049

 They also have a smaler versin with wheels....

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70011793

is so true!  Many days I do not use my counter top, choosing instead, to mix, knead, and fold my dough in a large pyrex bowl.  (I learned a bowl was all I needed when I first began making Naan bread.  The dough was much too wet to spead upon a counter top).  I've also learned that I can do everything with just one hand, which in my house is a good thing since I am constantly trying to do four things at once (I'm a mom to a two year old labrador retriever and none of us enjoy the crumb texture that includes doggie fur).

The only draw back I found was it would slide around a bit when I really got physical with my dough. I solved this with a .69cent none skid pad meant for a cutting board.

The IKEA link above didn't work for me, but I looked around on their site and found some nice boards that would probably work well. They're oiled wood and reasonably priced. Search http://ikea.com for chopping board.

Back in the days I was in London I was using a round piece of marble top my flatmate found on the street. That was really good dough doesnt stick on it and it's heavy so doesn't move around.

Surely as it's been said before it must be easy to find cut outs for free or almost nothing.

I bought a mat from Williams- Sonoma. Rolls up and cleans easily. Best investment I ever made for baking. plus it is very easy to wash  and reuse quickly.

Mr. Bob

Lucky for me I have a granite counter top that works great. I think granite works great it's easy to clean and nothing sticks to it. Best way to put your hands on one is calling around your local custom granite counter top makers and ask them if they have cut outs for the sinks. You could probably get one for very little or free. Good luck

http://www.ourwholesomehomes.com

I knead on glass. I have to share about this. :)  We got a discarded tempered glass desktop from behind a Staples store three or more years ago and had it propped up behind our office door ever since. I scored the nice bottom cabinet/drawer unit from Craig's List for $50. It had grouted tile counter on it that was a nightmare to keep clean. Wouldn't you know that glass desktop works perfectly on it?

We decided to go funky and add LED icicles beneath the glass since our track lighting has cobalt blue shades. I love how easy cleanup is with the glass surface.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gardenwife/sets/72157622870328387/

From having read posts on this site about kneading boards before, I learned that granite was good. 

My husband and I went to a local granite counter-top company to ask about scrap, and an employee showed us three piles of scrap he breaks up and dumps into house foundations when he gets enough of it.  He told us to choose as many pieces as we like, and as long as he didn't have to cut or sand any, it's FREE.  Sure, the two pieces, 30" x 30" x 1", are heavy as lead, but they work great!!

We have no counter tops in our kitchen -- the folks who lived in this house before only pulled frozen meals out of the freezer and popped them into the oven -- they were outside with the horses all the time!!  Since times are tough, counters will have to wait, so FREE is always a good thing!!!

I agreed that granite is best! Before I got my piece of granite (a gift from a good friend) I have been using my counter top to do my kneading and always have problems of dough sticking on it. But with granite, there's hardly any sticking at all! It's very heavy and there are those non-stick feet at the bottom in case it moves when kneading is done but it's really not necessary since it is so heavy.

I bought a carving board at my local grocery store before thanksgiving since I didn't have a board large enough at the time capable of properly containing a 20+ lb. turkey.Luckily enough, this 15"x20" board was great for bread and it only cost about $12. The first time I thought to use it instead of my kitchen table I realized that it actually has imprented on the corner it's intended use for the all flat side; "Bread & Pastry" (the Meat side is channeled to collect "juices") I personally like that the unfinished wood can "breath" and will react with a little moisture from the dough so that when I'm doing things that require rounding or shaping, like rolls, I can get a little grip between the dough and the board. Of course I would prefer a $1300 Boos board  or the old baker's table from the bakery where I worked, but this does the trick just fine.

I have found that the rubber cabinet liner works well for all of my cutting boards. Even better though are square, silicone hot pad/potholders. If they are clean they hold really well.

Happy hunting

I just posted about this, I ordered one from Fantes, search under pastry board, I got the larger one. Can't wait to use it. I have a silicone mat, but you can't cut on it. I want to cut Danish Dough into squares and shape it. I don't have the $ or room for a Stainless Steel table, Wish I did!!!