The end-grain cutting board is beautiful and useful. They are a wonderful option for any kitchen. In addition to being attractive, their checkerboard design is distinct, but these cutting boards are also unique in their feature. The wood’s fibers separate from each cut made by the knife and absorb the force from the cutting blade. This helps in concealing scratches and ensuring that knives keep their sharpness. Making your own end-grain cutting board can make it extra special and be a satisfying and enjoyable experience.
Perhaps you’ve saved a chunk of wood for a project like this or something you’re trying to reuse. If not, the hardwood shops and lumber yard produce lots of scrap wood, and all you need to do is go to them and see what’s on offer.
Follow these instructions to create your own cutting board.
Step 1
Select the Wood
To complete the project, you’ll require an unfinished piece of wood at least 2 inches thick and 12 inches wide, and three feet long. Hardwoods like maple or cherry are preferred over softwoods like woods like cedar, or Douglas fir, as these last for longer as well be able to keep food bacteria out more efficiently. It is hardwood. However, it’s not the best alternative due to its open-grain construction.
Be aware that a few kinds of wood are safe for eating. Select varieties that produce food-grade products (such as sap and fruits) and stay away from exotic species that aren’t yet approved for use in cooking.
Step 2
Prep the Wood
The thickness of your planer to take off 1/16 inch of wood at once. The board is then run through it multiple times to smooth both sides. When the wood on the side of the board is sloped, feed the board through the planer, beginning with the side where the grain slopes towards. When the wood is swollen from side-to-side, place the concave edge on the table in the planer, and flatten the convex side first. Then smooth to flatten the sides of the concave.
Using a miter saw, crosscut your board into two equally sized pieces and round the ends using a miter saw. Next, use a table saw to remove the weathered wood off each side and cut the board into pieces with the same thickness across each of the four sides.
Step 3
Glue the Strips Together
Lay the strips on a table and split into two sections. Each strip should be turned, so its direction and final grain differs between the strips one to another. This ensures that the completed block will not split or warp if it is placed in water.
Make sure you have one strip for each group. Turn the other strips a quarter turn clockwise. Spread an edible, waterproof, food-safe glue over the turned strips, initially with an acid brush followed by sticks. Turn each strip back one quarter before putting each of the strips set aside on the glue exposed on one side of the assembly.
Step 4
Clamp and Cut
The assembled strips should be glued together into two panels. Make use of a damp rag to remove any glue that spills out.
When the glue is dry (one or two hours) After drying, secure a stop on the miter-saw table about 2 inches away from the blade. Cut the ends of the panels. Make sure to butt the ends against the stop while cutting each panel into equal strips.
Step 5
Stagger the Strips
Place all the strips where the grain at the end faces upwards. Then, turn each side to ensure you can see that the joints of each strip are not offset from the ones on the adjacent strips. Utilize the same glue technique like above to create one panel. Then apply a sacrificial 2x at each end. Attach the 2x’s to the panel for approximately an hour. Diygazette provides you with the most inspirational DIY project stories, experiences, and ideas for your own DIY projects
Step 6
Finish and Sand
Make use of a circular saw and an edge guide to cut one side to square ends. The other side can be cut with the table saw.
The board is run through the planer to smooth the edges. The 2x’s keep the edges from being chipped. After the planing process, cut off the ends using Miter Saw.
With a router, turn over every vertical edge and cut through the board’s bottom and top edges.
Smooth all sides using the random orbit sander. Start with sandpaper of 100-grit and then finish with 325 grit.
Step 7
Cover with Mineral Oil
Apply mineral oil to all sides of the wood. The food-grade oil boosts the wood’s color and repels water. It also protects against stains and will not become rancid. Within 20 mins, clean off any excess oil, apply it again, wait, then wipe it off again. Apply the mineral oil whenever required.
