End Grain Cutting Board plus Bonus

Introduction

Hello Everyone,

First, I would like to thank you for viewing my instructable.
And, if you enjoyed it, please give me a vote!
Thanks....

I needed a $30 gift for my family gift exchange at our 2010 Christmas gathering.
I was reading through my Wood magazines and came across a wood end grain
cutting board.
I thought that would make a perfect Xmas gift.

The cutting board consisted of some hardwood scraps that I had lying around.
Of course, you will need some good water resistant glue.
And a weekend to complete the project.

I used several of my tools, to make the cutting board.
One, I would like to mention is my Craftsman Radial Arm saw.
The Craftsman saw is over 40 years old.
Still runs like a champ! (had only to replace the switch)

I started on this project, yesterday night. (Saturday)
It is about 7pm cst, and still waiting for the glue to dry.
Contest ends in about 5 hours.
Getting down to the wire...

Now onto the instructable...
Oh, the crackers are ash wood, by the way....


If you like my instructable, please take a second and vote for me!

Step 1: Finding the Correct Wood

Choosing the correct wood.

I had a bunch of hardwood scraps lying around.
So, what I choose, was some closed grain hardwoods.
You do not want a soft wood.
The pieces I had were 35" long.
Yours will probably be different.

I chose:
Paudauk
Walnut
Cherry
Purpleheart

Comments

[fast and cheap]

Very impressive! I'm gonna start planning one of these very soon!

[PurpleJ3nn]

Thank you for your instructible. I have looked at a few tutorials for cutting boards and I have found yours to be the most informative.
Your writing form is very easy going and friendly too, I appreciate that.
I hope to get started on my cutting board soon!

[Greasetattoo]

Thank you very much!
Glad you liked it!

Have a great New Year!

[euphemism]

Quick question, how does a board like this hold up in the long run, with so many separate pieces held together with only glue? Is it likely to fall apart in future years?

[jreidy1]

Those four woods will last forever, and if you glue them with Titebond II and clamp them within an inch of their lives, they will last forever.

If you're worried, use biscuits between pieces, or if you have a drill press, a couple of dowels will make the join as permanent as the pyramids.

j

[Kenn513]

it very much can if the project is from air dryed wood. But usually wont if you have a good kiln dryed hardwood.

[Greasetattoo]

It will hold up GREAT!
As long as you don't soak it, or dish-wash it!

The wood I use is Gorilla white glue!
Hope this helps!

[euphemism]

Good to know. I've gone out and bought some Purpleheart and Padauk, but am still debating on what to pick for the lighter two. I'll post a picture when I finish it so you can see how it turned out.

[jreidy1]

Rock maple and walnut look good with purpleheart and padauk

[Greasetattoo]

Sweet! Love to see some pictures when you get it done!
I'm going to make another one, as when I made the first one, I had some
glue-ups left over.
Just working on other projects, right now!

[robbs]

Beautiful work!!

[Wasagi]

Amazing!

[Goodhart]

That is absolutely Fabulous ! And beyond anything I have ever been "able" to do.

[tomblik]

The animated GIF is mesmerizing.

[Greasetattoo]

Yes, very Hypnotic!
I caught myself watching it over and over....

[laxap]

Very, very nice!

And oh, how I envy you for all these great woodworking machines.

[Greasetattoo]

Thanks for subscribing!
Glad you enjoyed my instructable!
Happy New Year!

[Shades of Grey]

It looks like you wiped off the excess here, (step 4) but the less glue that squeezes out, the less glue there is to gum up your planer blades. Overall this is a great 'ible and my comments have been sharpshooting little things. I am in no way trying to offend. I just feel like pointing out these small things will help someone else in the future if they attempt this project. Again, great 'ible and very nice cutting board!

[Greasetattoo]

Thanks for the kind comments.

Yeah, I wiped off the excess glue.
Tried to fill in the voids.

It was getting late, last nite.
I still have a little bit of editing left.

I also want to rout end handles on the back, too!

Was not sure what picture you were talking about using the clamp.
Was that the one next to the router bit.
Showing how to round over the keychain?

[Shades of Grey]

I was referring to step 7, in the second pic w/ the saw. You have a stop there to insure each cut is equal width. Sorry for the confusion. I like the idea of routing end handles too, might be tricky when/if you get into the end grain but I am not experienced with routers so I can't say for sure. (That is on my list of toys to buy)

[Greasetattoo]

Handles have been added..(see pictures above)
Gives it a nice touch..
Enjoy.

[Greasetattoo]

Yes, I figured that out, after I posted my comment.

I will try to router the handles today.
Check back...

[Shades of Grey]

The handles look great. I was thinking small with handheld type router when I was talking about end grain problems. You obviously have a way cooler toy to play with, and I was wrong about the problems! Again, very impressive project.

[Marsh]

Nicely done!

[rimar2000]

Very nice!

[Greasetattoo]

Thank you, Mr. Rimar2000!!!

[Shades of Grey]

It would help if you explained what you are using the clamp and piece of wood for (stop) that is in this picture. You and I know what it is, but someone who is doing this for the first time might not!

[Diabloscope]

i so want to make one , i need a bigger garage and tablesaw ? Keychain is a Great Idea For aspiring cooks all round !!

[seamster]

This is really neat looking! I especially like the keychain.

[caitlinsdad]

Very nice. Are any of the more exotic woods toxic as you work with them or bad when you cut into the finish and it comes into contact with food? I guess you could dye some pieces of hardwood for the same effect but that might not be too good either. It looks so fancy you wouldn't want to chop on it.

[Tool Using Animal]

The Walnut and Paudauk can cause some issues with dust, but in bulk form most all woods are safe.

Except poison oak, poison ivy.

[Greasetattoo]

Just make sure and wear a dust mask.
No problems, here..
Glad you liked my instructable!

[jdege]

Nice job, and good 'ible.

Only thing I'd do different is to route a groove in inch or so in from the edges, so that juices in whatever you're cutting don't run off onto the counter.