CHOP CHOP MAKE a CHOPPING BOARD

DID YOU KNOW that wood has antibacterial properties? That's why cutting and chopping boards are made of wood!

Here's how to make your own Chopping or Cutting Board for cheap... Chop Chop!

YOU WILL NEED:

4 piece of pine or timber approx 32mm thick and 69mm wide - cut to approx 446mm length

Wood glue

Orbital Sander plus 120- and 240-grit sanding pads

Router and round-over bit

Howard Butcher Block Conditioner

Clean cloth

HERE'S HOW:

1. Start by joining the cut planks together. To do this you can use a Biscuit Joiner, or glue and clamp the planks overnight.

2. Sand any uneven edge away with 120-grit sanding pads and then smooth the finish with 240-grit sanding pads.

GOOD TO KNOW: Take the time to sand away all the cutting grooves that you normally find on PAR pine.

3. Move onto the router to add a decorative edge. We used a round-over bit to give a small lip with a rounded edge.

4. When applying the butcher block conditioner, pop open the top and place in a microwave for 30-seconds. This gives the perfect viscosity for application and allows the conditioner to soak into the wood.

GOOD TO KNOW: You need to apply 3 coats of Howard Butcher Block Conditioner before using the board. This product is enriched with beeswax, carnauba wax, vitamin E and food-grade mineral oil.

And now you're ready to put you new pine chopping block to good use. To keep your chopping board clean, wipe regularly with a clean cloth. Don't leave the board in water. Because the board is so thick, you can sand away any scratches when the need arises.

For more great projects visit www.Home-Dzine.co.za