How to make a gradient cutting board

• How make a Tardis End Grain Cutting Board
• How to make a chevron cutting board
• How to make an End Grain Cutting Board from Scraps
• How to make walnut cutting board with maple strips

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

TOOLS

• Table saw
• Micro Jig GRR-RIPPER (A personal table saw must have)
• Planer
• Jointer
• Clamps
• Orbital Sander
• Router with 1/4″ Round Over and 45 degree chamfer Router Bits

SUPPLIES

• Mineral Oil
• Wood Glue
• Walnut
• Maple
• Howard Butcher Block Conditioner

How to make a gradient cutting board

Cut List

• 1/8″
• 1/4″
• 3/8″
• 1/2″
• 5/8″
• 3/4″
• 7/8″

The Glue Up

Round Gradient Cutting Board

Using my bandsaw circle cutting jig to create a round gradient cutting board

Add a Router Profile to the edges

Walnut and Maple Gradient Cutting Board

FIND ME ONLINE!

• Instagram: @handmadewithashley
• Facebook: @handmadewithashley
• Twitter: @handmadewithash
• YouTube: @handmadewithashley
• Pinterest: @handmadewithashley
• Instructables: @handmadewithashley

The post How to make a gradient cutting board appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

Hello everyone, in this tutorial I’m sharing how to make an 8-bit end grain Goomba! This was a scrap wood project I made using remains from my Tardis end grain cutting board. I held onto the leftovers from that project for over a year. I could not bring myself to toss them out.

Let’s get started with the tutorial!

CLICK HERE to view more geeky and nerdy DIY projects.

Related Posts:

• 8-bit Blooper (Super Mario Bros.)
• 8-bit Goomba (Super Mario Bros.)
• 8-bit Lakitu and Koopa Troopa (Super Mario Bros)
• 8-bit Link (The Legend of Zelda)
• 8-bit Cheep Cheep (Super Mario Bros.)
• 8-bit Mario (Super Mario Bros.)

(For sneak peeks on upcoming projects follow me on Instagram!)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  That means if you purchase an item via one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no added cost to you.  This helps keep the content on the site free and I appreciate the support! :o)

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies I used to create end grain Goomba

Tools

• Bandsaw
• Orbital Sander
• Drum Sander

Supplies

• Walnut
• Cherry
• Maple
• 1/4″ Plywood
• Wood Glue
• Howard Butcher Block Conditioner

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL

Click play and watch the video tutorial below. For more woodworking videos, CLICK HERE to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Continue reading for the written tutorial.

How to make 8-bit End Grain Goomba

End grain Goomba is my second 8-bit Goomba project. I’ve previously made a large pixel Goomba from 1/2″ plywood. CLICK HERE to read the tutorial on my original Goomba project.

This project I created using leftover pieces 3/4″ x 3/4″ x 2″ wood from my Tardis end grain cutting board project.

Step 1: Cut wood into 1/8″ thick squares

Cut the scrap walnut, maple and cherry into 1/8″ thick squares. I made these cuts on the bandsaw.

However, if I was not working with scrap wood I would have made most of my cut on the table saw.

For 8-bit Goomba you’ll need:

• 52 walnut squares
• 42 maple squares
• 96 cherry squares

Step 2: Glue wooden squares to plywood backer

Use wood glue to secure the wooden squares to a piece of 1/4″ plywood. I used my previous Goomba project as a pixel grid guide.

Step 3: Sand Goomba

View this post on Instagram

Just cleaned up Goomba’s surface. (I passed him through the drum sander multiple times between the first and last shot. ) Next, I’ll cut out his silhouette on the bandsaw. . #goomba #8bitgoomba #8bitsupermario #supermariobros #pixelart #geekcraft #geekdiy #videogamegeek #walnut #maple #cherry #drumsander #supermaxtools #supermaxdrumsanders #woodwork #woodworker #woodworking #makersgonnamake

A post shared by Ashley Grenon | Geeky Maker (@handmadewithashley) on Oct 8, 2018 at 1:22pm PDT

Sand Goomba. I used my drum sander to make quick work of the task.

Step 4: Cut out Goomba’s shape

Use a jigsaw or bandsaw to cut out Goomba’s shape.

View this post on Instagram

Cutting out most of Goomba’s shape on the bandsaw. The few tight areas I’ll cut out on the scroll saw. I noticed a few gaps so I guess next I’ll figure out a way to conceal my alignment errors. . #bandsaw #grizzlybandsaw #timelapse #lagunaresawking #grizzlyindustrial @grizzlyindustrial #mfpbehindthescenes #grizzlytools #g0555lx #goomba #pixelgoomba #8bitgoomba #rockler #dustright #woodwork #maker #geekcraft #geekdiy #woodworker #woodworking

A post shared by Ashley Grenon | Geeky Maker (@handmadewithashley) on Oct 8, 2018 at 1:55pm PDT

Step 5: Apply a finish and enjoy!

I used a beeswax and mineral oil mixture to finish Goomba. I installed a couple magnets on the backside to hang it on my garage door.

8-Bit End Grain Goomba | Super Mario Bros

Despite a few flaws, I’m pretty happy with how Goomba turned out. From a distance it’s hard to notice the mistakes (alignment issues).

Thanks for checking out my project! I hope it inspires you to create some 8-bit decor!

The post 8-bit End Grain Goomba | Super Mario Bros Pixel Art appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

Hello everyone, today I’m sharing how to make a round, chevron cutting board. This cutting board was created from some maple and walnut scraps I had laying around in the garage. I came up with the idea for the board while brainstorming ideas for the second Instagram Mini Builder Challenge. I love how it turned out and I’m excited to share how you can make one of your own.

(For sneak peeks on upcoming projects follow me on Instagram!)

I have previously documented steps on how to take rough sawn lumber and mill it into ready to use lumber. CLICK HERE to read my detailed tutorial on how to make a cutting board. In this post, I will skip over the milling steps.

How to make a chevron cutting board

RELATED POSTS:

• How make a Tardis End Grain Cutting Board
• How to make an End Grain Cutting Board from Scraps
• How to make walnut cutting board with maple strips

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  That means if you purchase an item via one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no added cost to you.  This helps keep the content on the site free and I appreciate the support! :o)

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies I gathered to create the chevron cutting board.

Tools

• Table saw
• Micro Jig GRR-RIPPER (A personal table saw must have)
• Planer
• Jointer
• Clamps
• Orbital Sander
• Router with 1/4″ Round Over Router Bit

Supplies

• Mineral Oil
• Wood Glue
• Walnut
• Maple
• Howard Butcher Block Conditioner

How to Video Tutorial

Watch the YouTube video below for a visual tutorial:

How to make a Chevron Cutting Board

This was a fun scrap wood project. Steps start after the boards have been milled to an even thickness (roughly 3/4″ thick).

Step 1: Rip the walnut and maple to final size

Rip the walnut into 1 1/2″ strips and the maple into 1/8″ strips. I used my Micro Jig GRR-RIPPER with the 1/8″ leg to safely rip the thin strips.

Step 2: Glue up the strips

Maple and walnut strips glued together

Use ample amount of glue and clamp together the walnut and maple strips.

Step 3: Cross cut board into strips at a 45 degree angle

Crosscut first glue up into strips at a 45 degree angle

Clean up the dried glue and cross cut the board into strips at a 45 degree angle on the table saw. This can be a tricky cut as you get to the last cuts. Take appropriate safety precautions.

Step 4: Glue up the strips again

Arrange the strips into alternating directions to form the chevron pattern

Arrange the strips to form a chevron pattern. Use ample amount of glue and clamp together.

Step 5: Cut out a circle

Clean up the dried glue and cut the board into a circle. There are several ways to do this. I used a router with a circle cutting jig. In hindsight, I wish I made a circle cutting jig for my bandsaw and cut out the circle via that route.

Step 6: Dress up the cutting board edges

Add a round over to the top and bottom edges of the cutting board

To spice up the appearance of the cutting board, I added a 1/4″ round over to the top and bottom edges of the cutting board.

Step 7: Sand and apply a food safe finish

Cycle through grits of sandpaper up to 220. Raise the grain of the cutting board with a damp cloth before one final sanding with 220 grit sand paper.

Apply a coat of mineral oil – a food safe finish

Apply a food safe finish.

I used a coat of mineral oil. Once it dried, I added a coat of Howard’s Butcher Block Conditioner.

Make a Chevron Pattern Cutting Board

I’m really happy with how the chevron cutting board came out. I love the look of the board and can’t wait to make a few more.

Pin it to Pinterest!

DIY tutorial on how to make a chevron pattern cutting board

The post Make a Chevron Cutting Board | How To Tutorial appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

How to make a simple walnut cutting board with maple stripes

Hello everyone, today I’m sharing details on how to make my latest project: a walnut cutting board with maple stripes. This is a really simple cutting board to make and it’s a great way to use up leftovers from a previous project.

I have previously documented detailed steps on how to take rough sawn lumber and mill it into ready to use lumber. CLICK HERE to read my detailed tutorial on how to make a cutting board. In this post, I will skip over the milling steps.

RELATED POSTS:

• How make a Tardis End Grain Cutting Board
• How to make an End Grain Cutting Board from Scraps

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  That means if you purchase an item via one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no added cost to you.  This helps keep the content on the site free and I appreciate the support! :o)

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies I gathered to create the walnut and maple cutting board.

Tools

• Saw (table saw and miter saw)
• Micro Jig GRR-RIPPER (A personal table saw must have)
• FeatherPro Feather Board
• Jointer
• Planer
• Router with 45 degree chamfer router bit
• Orbital sander
• Clamps

Supplies

• Mineral Oil
• Wood Glue
• Walnut
• Maple
• Howard Butcher Block Conditioner

How to make a Walnut Cutting Board with Maple Stripes

This was a fun scrap wood project. Steps start after the boards have been milled to 3/4″ thickness.

This weekend I plan to tackle a couple scrap wood projects. I have 3 boxes full of nice scraps. My goal is to eventually get it down one box. I’m thinking I’ll start with a few cutting boards. #confessionsofascrapwoodhoarder . #scrapwood #scraps #woodworker #woodwork #woodworkers #woodworking #mfpbehindthescenes #walnut #maple #futurecuttingboard #cuttingboard #maker #makersmovement #maplecuttingboard #scrapwoodproject #walnutcuttingboard #offcuts #makersgonnamake #alabama #madeinalabama #fridaynight #makesomething #garageshop #dowoodworking #hardwood #letsdothis

A post shared by Ashley Grenon | Geeky Maker (@handmadewithashley) on Feb 16, 2018 at 3:33pm PST

Step 1: Rip the Walnut and Maple to final size

Rip the walnut into 1 1/2″ strips. Rip the maple to 1/4″ strips.

I ripped 4 pieces of walnut and 3 pieces of maple.

Step 2: Glue up the strips

Use ample amounts of glue and clamp together the walnut and maple strips.

A basic cutting board in the works. I had plans to make something a bit more interesting but my washing machine required emergency surgery today. This will scratch my cutting board itch for now. Plus I need to focus on finishing up Link too. . #scrapwood #scraps #offcuts #cuttingboard #walnut #maple #cuttingboard #longgraincuttingboard #clamps #glueup #squeezeout #kregmobileprojectcenter #parallelclamps #mobileprojectcenter #besseyclamps #woodwork #woodworker #woodworkers #woodworking #maker #makersgonnamake #makesomething #makeallthethings #dowoodworking #mfpbehindthescenes #garageshop #sawdustsaturday

A post shared by Ashley Grenon | Geeky Maker (@handmadewithashley) on Feb 17, 2018 at 1:53pm PST

Step 3: Clean up the glue lines and trim up the ends

Run the board through the planer to clean up excess glue. Trim up the ends of the cutting board on the miter saw or table saw.

Step 4: Adorn the edge of the board with a 45 degree chamfer router bit

Route around the edges of the board with a router bit to dress up the edges. I used a 45 degree chamfer router bit with ball bearings.

Walnut and maple cutting board with a 45 degree chamfer

Step 5: Sand the cutting board

Sand the cutting board cycling through grits of sand paper.  After you sand the cutting board 220 grit paper, wipe the board down with a damp cloth to raise the grain. Sand the surface on more time with 220 grit sand paper.

Step 6: Apply cutting board finish

Soak the cutting board in mineral oil. I applied two coats of mineral oil. Once it dried I followed up with a coat of Howard’s Butcher Block Conditioner.

Walnut Cutting Board with Maple Strips

I’m pretty happy with how the board came out. It’s an easy weekend project and would make a great gift too!

DIY Walnut Cutting Board with Maple Stripes

The post Walnut Cutting Board with Maple Stripes | DIY TUTORIAL appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

How to make an end grain cutting board from scraps

I recently made a Tardis end grain cutting board and I was left with many leftovers. Instead of letting them collect saw dust in the garage I decided to immediately put them to use by making another end grain cutting board.

Walnut and cherry end grain cutting board

CLICK HERE for step by step tutorial on how to make a Tardis end grain cutting board. (There’s also a YouTube video. WATCH IT HERE.)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  That means if you purchase an item via one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no added cost to you.  This helps keep the content on the site free and I appreciate the support! :o)

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies that I gathered to create the end grain cutting board.

Tools

• Saw (circular, table saw or bandsaw)
• Jointer
• Planer
• Belt sander
• Router with 1/4″ round over router bit
• Orbital sander

Supplies

• Leftover strips of walnut and cherry 3/4″ on all sides
• Wood Glue
• Sand paper – Grits 80, 100, 150, 220
• Mineral oil
• Beeswax

Watch the video tutorial

Click play and watch the video tutorial below. For more woodworking videos, CLICK HERE to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Continue reading for the written tutorial.

How to make an end grain cutting board in 11 simple steps

1. Mill the lumber
2. Rip the board into 3/4″ strips
3. Design the cutting board layout
4. Edge glue the boards
5. Cross cut the cutting board
6. Glue the cutting board again
7. Clean up the edges
8. Add a corner radius (optional)
9. Round over the edges
10. Sand
11. Apply a food safe finish

Step 1: Mill the lumber

Typically when you purchase hardwood from the sawmill, the hardwood is rough sawn.  Rough saw lumber is not flat or surfaced on all four sides. I used my jointer to surface one face and one edge of the each board. I used the planer to surface the other face and planed each board to the same thickness. For more details and photos on the process check out my tutorial on how to make a cutting board.

Step 2: Rip the boards into 3/4″ strips

Once the boards are milled, move the the table saw to rip each board into 3/4″ strips.

Step 3: Design the cutting board layout

Think of how you would like the end grain cutting board to look and select the order of how the strips should be glued together.

I chose the following pattern:

• Walnut
• Cherry
• Cherry
• Walnut
• Cherry
• Cherry
• Walnut

Step 4: Edge glue the boards

Apply wood glue to the boards and clamp the strips together. Follow your wood glue instructions for cure times.

1. Select a design for the cutting board. 2. Edge glue the cutting board together.

Step 5: Cross cut the cutting board

Once the glue has dried, it is time to make more cuts for the cutting board. This time cross cut the board into 2″ wide pieces. I made these cuts on my bandsaw, but the job can be done on the table saw with a cross cut sled.

I love my bandsaw. Although, the more I use it the more I wish I had a slightly larger one. . Making a cross cutting sled for the table saw is still on the todo list, but I really wanted to make some more progress on this cutting board so used the bandsaw. . #bandsaw #grizzlybandsaw #favoritetool #g0555lx #mfpbehindthescenes #garage #garageshop #wood #crosscut #endgraincuttingboard #woodworker #woodwork #dowoodworking #walnut #maple @grizzlyindustrial #woodslicer #woodslicerblade #lunchtimewoodworking

A post shared by Ashley Grenon | DIY Blogger (@handmadewithashley) on Jul 12, 2017 at 10:24am PDT

Step 6: Glue cutting board again

Select an arrangement for the new cutting board pieces. Glue and clamp the pieces together. I went back and forth between several designs before settling on the final one.

Selecting a cutting board design for the end grain cutting board

Step 7: Clean up the edges

Once the glue has cured, trim up the edges on a table saw.

Step 8: Add a corner radius (optional)

Add a corner radius to the cutting board. There are few ways to do this. I used a belt sander.

Alternatively you could:

• Use a router with a corner radius jig
• Cut a corner radius with a bandsaw or jigsaw

Step 9: Round over the edges

Grab router and equip it with a 1/4″ round over router bit with bearing. Route all four sides of the top and bottom of the cutting board.

Step 10: Sand

Sanding end grain can take a while. If the board surface is very uneven from the glue up, you may want to consider creating a router flattening jig to clean the surface of the cutting board prior to final sanding. I created a flattening jig for my Tardis end grain cutting board.

Cycle through grits 80 – 220 on the orbital sander. Wipe down the cutting board with a damp cloth to raise the grain.  Allow it to dry a little before a final sanding with 220 grit sand paper. This should leave the cutting board surface smooth.

Step 11: Apply a food safe finish.

Applying a finish is the fun part. Watching the wood color come to life once you apply the oil is a very exciting step.  I finished my cutting board with mineral.  I applied several layers until the cutting board no longer absorbed it.

My favorite step in every cutting board project: applying a finish. This is the first coat of mineral oil. (Swipe for video.) . #endgrain #endgraincuttingboard #scrapwood #scrapwoodcuttingboard #kregmobileprojectcenter #mobileprojectcenter #mineraloil #cherry #walnut #woodwork #woodworking #woodworker #dowoodworking #mfpbehindthescenes #diy #cuttingboard #sawdustsaturday #rainyday #almostdone

A post shared by Ashley Grenon | DIY Blogger (@handmadewithashley) on Jul 15, 2017 at 3:40pm PDT

DIY End Grain Cutting Board

Enjoy your new cutting board or gift it to a family member or friend. They make wonderful handmade gifts.

Handmade gift – Walnut and Cherry end grain cutting board | How To Tutorial

Handmade gift – Walnut and Cherry end grain cutting board | How To Tutorial

(I also made a long grain cutting board from my Tardis scraps.  Check out my previous tutorial on how to make a simple cutting board.)

I’m linking up to:

• Remodelaholic

The post How to make an End Grain Cutting Board from Scraps appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

How to make a Tardis end grain cutting board

Hello everyone! Today I am excited to share the details on my latest project: a Tardis end grain cutting board.  This is my first end grain cutting board, and despite a few flaws, I’m happy with how it turned out.

Tardis End Grain Cutting Board

Let’s get started!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  That means if you purchase an item via one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no added cost to you.  This helps keep the content on the site free and I appreciate the support! :o)

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies that I gathered to create the Tardis end grain cutting board.

Tools

• Table saw
• Bandsaw
• Jointer
• Planer
• Orbital sander
• Clamps

Supplies

• Walnut
• Maple
• Cherry
• Wood Glue
• Mineral oil or Butcher block oil

How-To Video

Watch the video below for a visual tutorial:

How to make a Tardis end grain cutting board

This is the template I used for the Tardis end grain cutting board:

Pixel Tardis template

Step 1: Mill the boards

Hardwood boards

Typically when you purchase hardwood it comes rough sawn and will need to be milled before it is ready to use. The objective here is to get the board flat on all four sides.  I flatten the boards with my jointer and planer.  For more details on the process hop over to my blog post How to Make a Wooden Cutting Board.

Using my Dewalt planer

Plane all the boards down to the same thickness.  (I planed my boards down to 3/4″ thick.)

Step 2: Rip boards to size

On the table saw, rip the boards to the same thickness as the board. (In my case this was 3/4″ wide strips.)

Boards ripped into 3/4″ wide strips

Step 3: Cut pixels

Cut the strips of wood into 2″ long pieces.

I did this on my bandsaw.  I went with 2″ tall pixels to account for future material loss.  (Final thickness of the Tardis cutting board was a little more than 1″.)

Step 4: Glue up the pixels

Use a straight edge to help with alignment, and glue up the pixels.  I recommend gluing a few sections at a time and then gluing the cutting board as a whole.

A dry fit of the pixels. I’m not looking forward to the glue up. I’m using walnut, maple and cherry. The plan was to use 4 shades of wood but I didn’t do my research before purchasing sassafras. Thank you @woodrazor @inkslingerpens @imattdaddy and @love_and_liberty_ww for your input! . #tardis #drwho #whovians #cuttingboard #maple #walnut #cherry #hardwood #wood #diy #woodworker #woodworking #dowoodworking #dryfit #practice #hardwood #homemadegift #handmade #handmadegift #handmadewithashley #geek #pixel #geekcraft #weddingpresent #weddinggift

A post shared by Ashley Grenon (@handmadewithashley) on Jun 8, 2017 at 8:41pm PDT

Step 5: Clean up the cutting board

At this point, ensure the board surface is level and the dried glue is cleaned up. On a long grain cutting board such as the one I made here, I would run the cutting board through the planer on both sides. Unfortunately, using a planer with an end grain cutting board is dangerous and not recommend.

There are a few things you can do to clean up the surface of the board:

• Build a router flattening sled
• Sand aggressively
• Use a drum sander

Flatten cutting board with a router flattening sled

I built a quick router flattening sled from scraps, and I used my trim router to level the surface. I lost a lot of material at this step.

Step 6: Route a profile to the edge (optional)

To jazz up the edges, use a router to add to round over the edges or add a chamfer.  I added a 45 degree chamfer.  At first I regretted decision, but the profile has since grown on me.

Step 7: Sand and prep for finish

Sand the entire surface of the cutting board. Cycle through 80, 100, 150, 220 grits of sand paper. Grab a damp cloth and wipe the board to raise the grain.  Finish sanding with 220 grit sand paper again.

Sanding the cutting board

Step 8: Apply a food safe finish

Seal the cutting board with your favorite food safe finish (I used mineral oil) and enjoy!

Yay! I’m finally applying a finish to this cutting board. It’s really soaking up the oil. Tomorrow I’ll buy some more mineral oil and submerge the whole board in it. . #almostdone #endgrain #endgraincuttingboard #cuttingboard #walnut #maple #cherry #tardis #drwho #whovian #whovians #mfpbehindthescenes #geek #geekcraft #drwhocrafts #nerd #mineraloil #wood #woodworker #woodworking #dowoodworking #makersgonnamake #makeallthethings #kitchen #cutlery #handmadewithashley

A post shared by Ashley Grenon (@handmadewithashley) on Jun 27, 2017 at 5:50pm PDT

A  Tardis End Grain Cutting Board

If you make a Tardis end grain cutting board, leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @handmadewithashley or Twitter @handmadewithash.   I’d love to see your pictures!

I’m linking up to:

• Remodelaholic

Pin it!

DIY Tardis End Grain Cutting Board

The post How to Make a Tardis End Grain Cutting Board appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

How to make a wooden cutting board

A few months ago I took a Fundamentals of Woodworking class, and I learned how to make a cutting board. Since then I’ve made a few more and I hope to make a ton more this year. Cutting boards are a great way to use up scrap hardwoods and make awesome gifts. Today I’m sharing the steps I take to make a cutting board.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

What you’ll need

• Jointer
• Planer
• Table saw
• Orbital sander
• Hardwood (such as walnut, maple and cherry)
• Mineral oil or Butcher block oil
• Wood glue

Recommended reading: Make Your Own Cutting Boards by David Picciuto of Make Something.

How to make a wooden cutting board

Step 1: Select hardwood boards

There are a few things you want to consider when you buy wood for a cutting board.  Avoid soft woods like pine (it cuts and scratches easily) and very porous woods such as red oak (the large pores can harbor bacteria).  For durability, also avoid soft hardwoods like poplar.  Domestic hardwoods such as maple, walnut, and cherry make excellent choices for a cutting board.

I really enjoyed making my first cutting board so now I’m plotting my second one. I picked up some walnut, cherry and maple boards. This will be another long grain cutting board, but for my third one I would like to try making an end grain cutting board. #wood #lumber #walnut #maple #cherry #cuttingboard #woodworking #roughsawn #homemadegifts #tothejointerwego

A post shared by Ashley Grenon (@handmadewithashley) on Oct 2, 2016 at 11:53am PDT

Step 2: Rough cut boards to size

Typically when you purchase hardwood it comes rough sawn and will need to be milled before it is ready to use. The objective here is to get the board flat on all four sides. To begin the milling process, cut the boards down to rough size. I take the final measurement that I want the cutting board to be and add 2-4 inches to get a rough length.

Rough sawn maple cut to a rough size

Step 3: Face and edge joint the boards

Determine which face of the wood wobbles the least.  This side will be the first side we flatten with a jointer. (Selecting the side that wobbles the least on a table helps reduce board waste as we try to flatten all the sides.)  Once the first face is flat, place that side against the jointer fence and joint the edge of the board until it is flat.

After this point we have 2 faces surfaced.

Recommended reading: S2S, S3S, and S4S Lumber — What Gives?

Face jointing walnut

Step 4: Plane the rough face smooth

Next, move to the thickness planer.  With the jointed side face down, run the board through the planer until you reached the desired thickness of the board.

After this step we have 3 faces surfaced.

Step 5: Rip the boards to size

Finalize the design of your cutting board.  Go to the table saw and rip the board to the desired width.

After this step all 4 sides have been surfaced.

Ripping walnut, cherry and maple

Step 6: Glue up the boards

Arrange the ripped pieces of wood, glue and clamp them together.  I use Titebond III wood glue.  It’s waterproof and food safe.

Applying glue

Clamping the pieces together

Step 7: Remove the excess glue

After the glue has been curing for about 15 minutes, get a scraper and remove some of the excess.  It is easier to remove the glue while it is tacky versus waiting until it is cured.  Once the glue has completely dried, take a light pass through the planer to remove any remaining glue.

Watch out for planer snipe.

Running a cutting board through the planer to clean it up

Step 8: Trim off the excess wood

Cut off the excess wood from each end of the cutting board.

Clean the ends

Step 9: Decorate the edges

Add a corner radius or route the edge of the cutting board with a round over router bit.

Adding a corner radius (see the planer snipe?)

Using a router table to round over the edges

Step 10: Sand, sand, sand

Give the cutting board a really good sanding.

I’m almost done with the cutting board. I had a chance to sand it with this @festool sander. There really is a big difference between using this sander and my Bosch one. It’s very nice. (And this is totally my submission for @krugerconstruction’s Festool HKC giveaway. What a cool power saw!) @festool_usa #krugerfestoolhkc #woodworking #woodworker #wood #sawdust #walnut #maple #cuttingboard #hardwood #sander #festool #powertools #woodwork #orbitalsander #festoolusa

A post shared by Ashley Grenon (@handmadewithashley) on Sep 27, 2016 at 5:42pm PDT

Step 11: Apply the finish

Seal the cutting board with your favorite food safe finish.  I like to soak the cutting board in a layer of mineral oil.  Allow the oil to absorb into the wood before wiping away excess.  Over time and use, you may need to reapply mineral oil to refresh the cutting board.

Wooden cutting boards ready for a finish

My favorite step in making a cutting board: adding oil. I love the pop of color . #cuttingboard #diy #woodworking #wood #hardwood #domesticwood #domestichardwood #walnut #maple #kitchen #woodcraft #woodworker #mineraloil #dowoodworking

A post shared by Ashley Grenon (@handmadewithashley) on Dec 26, 2016 at 5:55pm PST

Homemade cutting boards

I enjoy making cutting boards and look forward to getting more creative with my creations.

A maple and walnut cutting board.

A maple and walnut cutting board.

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How to make a wooden cutting board!

The post How to make a wooden cutting board appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.