How To Make A Cutting Board

When it comes to working with wood, there are various levels of project. If you are just starting in carpentry, it pays to start off with a simple project. This will get you familiar with the tools and materials, while giving you an opportunity to be successful. Consider making a cutting board. By following some simple directions, you can create a wonderful cutting board for your kitchen while having some success in carpentry.

First of all, when making a cutting board, you should consider what type of wood you want to use. Either hard or soft wood can be used for this project, but consult your local lumber professional to make the right selection for you. Another option is to get scrap wood for this project.

Once you have got your wood, your first step is to cut it. Remember that for a cutting board, the width you cut the wood will determine how thick your cutting board will be. Around 1 inch is usually good, but it is really up to you. You may want to measure from your counter top to see what will be enough for you. Once you have done that, you will cut the wood to length. Cut a little more than you want the cutting board to be. You can cut the whole thing at the end to ensure even edges.

Your next step is to laminate the wood. Make sure you have resorcinol glue and use it on both sides of the wood. This will help them to glue together solidly. Once you have them glued together, put them in a wood clamp so that they are held in place. They should stay that way over night. Before leaving it for the night, though, make sure you wipe off any excess glue before it dries. This will prevent chipping of the blades you will use to finish and shape the cutting board.

Finally, once the glue had dried over night, you can take the board out of the clamps. You will use your belt sander to smooth out the top and the bottom of your board since you will be using both. Use a table saw or circular saw so cut your board into the shape you want. This will give your cutting board and even exterior. Then you will want to coat the entire thing with a non-toxic finish of some sort. Mineral oil works well as well as salad bowl finish that you can find in wood working shops.

As you can see, building a cutting board is not all that difficult. It does, though, allow you to get used to using saws, glues, and clamps with wood. It is a good opportunity for you to have some success with your carpentry while learning the materials. Once you are done, you will be able to move up and try more advanced projects while also giving yourself a nice cutting board for the kitchen.

WARNING: Use proper eye protection and safety procedures when using any saws or sanders. With a circular saw, do not use a cutting blade that is more than ¼” above the cutting surface on your cutting board.

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