Cutting Board Out of Scrap Wood

Here is a guide to make a cutting board from scrap wood.

Supplies

Materials:

Scrap wood

Pencil

Miter saw

Table saw

Wood glue

Jointer or sander

Small router

120 grit sandpaper

Orbital router

220 grit sandpaper

Water spray bottle

Mineral oil

Tape measure

Step 1: Step 1: Select Scrap Wood

Select the wood scraps you want to use for your board.

Step 2: Step 2: Cut the Pieces

You need to cut the pieces down to size using the miter saw. Determine what length and width you want the cutting board to be, use a tape measure and pencil to mark the boards before cutting.

Step 3: Step 3: Cutting the Pieces Into Smaller Pieces

Take the cut pieces over to the table saw to cut down into smaller strips. Set the table saw fence to the correct width for the pieces. Put on your protective eye-wear and hearing protection and then turn on the table saw. Push the pieces through the saw to cut them down to the right size.

Step 4: Step 4: Come Up With a Design

Determine the design you want to use. Move the pieces around to make the cutting board look the way you want it to.

Step 5: Step 5: Setup for Gluing

Once you decide on the design, get your clamps and put them on a flat surface. Also get out the glue you are going to use to glue the pieces together in the design you want. Put tape on the clamps to keep the glue off the clamps.

Step 6: Step 6: Gluing the Pieces

Glue up the pieces: Put lots of glue on each piece of wood and then put them together in the clamps. Once they are in the clamps slowly tighten the clamps until the glue starts to squeeze out. Now wait 24 hours before taking the board out of the clamps.

Step 7: Step 7: Flattening the Board

Now you need to flatten the board, use the jointer or a sander if you don’t have the jointer. Run the board over the jointer to flatten each side of the board until it’s smooth and even. Use the push sticks to run the board over the jointer blade keeping your hands away from the blade.

Step 8: Step 8: Getting the Right Length

Cut the board to final length back at the miter saw. You need to straighten up the board and make it square. Trim off the edges that are not square with the saw. You can use this time to make any design changes by adding angles to the board so it’s not just a square block. This is optional.

Step 9: Step 9:Detailing the Edges

Adding detail to the edges, take the board back to the table that is flat. Use the small router with a round over bit in it to add some detail to the edges.

Step 10: Step 10: Sanding

Sand the cutting board with 120 Grit sandpaper using the random orbital sander.

Step 11: Step 11: Finer Sanding

Spray the board with water to raise the grain of the wood making it rough again. Wait for the board to dry and then sand it again but this time with 220 grit sandpaper on the random orbital sander. This helps make the board smooth regardless if it gets wet again.

Step 12: Step 12: Finishing Up

Apply food safe mineral oil to the board and let it soak in. continue to add oil until it no longer soaks in. Now your cutting board is done!