Introduction: "Brick and Mortar" Cutting Board

By My YouTube Channel
About: I enjoy simple DIY projects and enjoy sharing them with others. I'm 33 and I am a sheet metal worker by trade. I really enjoy remodeling and making things. I'm married and have two wonderful children.

I made this cutting board out of a slab of Makore (African Cherry) and some Ash. The cutting board measures approximately 17" x 12" x 1 1/4" thick. Total time I spent making this cutting board was around 5 hours. And the total cost was around 25 dollars.

Tools I used while making this:

  • Table Saw
  • Miter Saw
  • Orbital Sander
  • Jointer
  • Planer
  • Clamps
  • Tape Measure
  • Router

Materials I used

  • Slab of Makore
  • Pieces of Ash
  • Wood Glue
  • Sandpaper (150 and 220 grit)
  • Disposable Rags For Glue Clean-up

Here's a video from my YouTube Channel if you'd rather watch than read

https://youtu.be/lwU-A6uvjKQ

Step 1: Step 1: Joint One Edge of Each Piece of Wood

I started out by jointing one edge of each piece of wood so that it would ride flat against the table saw when I cut them into the strips

Step 2: Step 2: Rip Makore Into Strips

I set the fence on the table saw to 1 and 3/8 of an inch. This will be the rough thickness of the cutting board

Step 3: Step 3: Cut Strips Down to Length

I measured out the strips to 17 1/2 inches -- reason being was because my slab of wood was only so big and this way I was able to make the most out of the slab. Then I cut them on the miter saw.

Step 4: Step 4: Run Strips Through the Jointer

I ended up running 3 sides through the jointer. The two "glued" ends and one of the "edge grain" ends.

Step 5: Step 5: Run All Pieces Through the Planer

I ran all the strips through the planer so that they were all an even thickness. The outcome of this was around 1 and 5/16 of an inch

Step 6: Step 6: Rip Ash! Haha

I ripped the Ash wood to 5/16 of an inch, this will be the "mortar" around the "brick"

Step 7: Step 7: Glue

I poured a liberal amount of glue on each strip of wood and spread it with my finger and then stacked them in a striped pattern. Clamped them tight with two "bessy" clamps on the bottom and one on the top in the middle. Then I let the glue set up which took approximately 30 minutes.

Step 8: Step 8: Square Ends and Rip Down

I squared both ends that hung over a bit and after both ends were square I cut the entire board we glued down to 3/4 of an inch.

Step 9: Step 9: Glue

Once again it was time for the glue up! Put each strip on it's side and prepare to start glueing. I poured a liberal amount of glue onto the strips and spread the glue with my finger...Although a roller would work a lot better, unfortunately we did not have one at this particular time.

After the glue was spread we stacked the pieces in a staggered pattern to offset the "mortar" between the layers. You can mark out each strip but I ended up just "eyeballing" the entire thing and it turned out pretty much dead on!

As we did in the first glue up, add two "bessy" clamps to the two ends and then one in the middle facing down.

Step 10: Step 10: Square and Plane

After the glue has had time to set up, run the board through the table saw to remove the overhanging ends and also to square everything up. Then run the cutting board through the planer to get it completely flat. I ran both sides of the cutting board through the planer until I reached a thickness of 1 and 1/4 inches.

Step 11: Step 11: Router and Sand

I put a small chamfered edge all the way around ONE side of the cutting board. I left the "bottom" side flat. Then It was sanded with 150 grit followed by 220 grit.

Step 12: Step 12: Oil

I didn't have any cutting board oil so I had to resort to vegetable oil, which is perfectly fine. I oiled both sides and all edges. I think I turned out pretty sweet! This was my 3rd cutting board but by far my most elaborate one. Let me know what you guys think!

I also have a more detailed video of this project on my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/adamfleisch

Thank you for looking!