End Grain Cutting Board

Planning Your Cutting Board

1.        Use the computer program (CBdesigner) to layout your cutting Board

a.       Under “Edge-Grain Properties” make the board thickness 1”.  This is because most of our stock in the shop is 1” thick

c.       Check the boxes for “Flip Every Other Strip” and “Draw Borders”

2.       Select “Add Layer” to add pieces to your cutting board.

3.       Change the species and the widths of the individual pieces to add interest and appeal to the pattern of the cutting board.

4.       Pay close attention to the dimensions under “End Grain Final Dimensions”.  The Length and Width listed here the final Length and Width of your cutting board

  (This one in specific is the one Joe Emme did)

Building Your Cutting Board

1.        Carefully rip each of the pieces to the exact widths required.  These pieces can be a few inches longer

2.       Edge glue the pieces according to your plan.  Make sure pieces are flat against the bar clamps

3.       Scrape the glue, Surface Plane until both faces are perfectly flush

4.       Square one end on the Cross-Cut Table Saw

5.       Cut the individual pieces by setting the Rip Fence to 1.25” OR your desired Final Thickness of your cutting board.  Using a push stick, rip as many individual pieces as you can get.

6.       Flip every other piece to create the pattern.

7.       There are too many pieces to glue together in one glue-up.  Glue no more than 8 pieces together at a time.  So, you will have 2 or 3 small glue-ups on the first day.  MAKE SURE YOU STILL WILL HAVE THE CORRECT FLIP-FLOPPED PATTERN WHEN YOU GLUE THESE SUB-ASSEMBLIES TOGETHER

8.       On the next day dry fit the small glue ups.  You will likely need to flatten the mating surfaces by pushing them up against the Oscillating Belt Sander.  Glue the board together making sure all components are flat against the clamps

9.       Scrape the glue, sand both sides of the board at the drum sander.

10.   Finish sanding with 80 grit disc, then 120 grit disc, then 220 grit disc

11.   Rout edges with the 1/8” or ¼” roundover bit – sand the routed edges

12.   Apply 2 coats of cutting board oil