Cutting Board...

Cutting Board... · 11-26-2008, 11:56 AM

I feel like I am following the crowd on this one, which I seldom do, but I am folding to peer pressure. I am thinking about making a endgrain cutting board. I think all of the cool kids are making these things, and I am no where near cool, but there has to be something with making these things.

But before I start, what kind of glue, wood and finish are good to use. I have a lot of poplar, oak, and sapelle. Food safe?

Bas · 11-26-2008, 12:10 PM

Lots of good info here -> http://thewoodwhisperer.tv/7-a-cut-above-pt-1/
(two part episode)

Poplar and oak would not be good choices. Poplar is too soft, oak to porous. Sapele - no idea. Maple, walnut, purple heart, beech, anything with a tight grain should work.

Making these things is a lot of fun. I just made my first two, and it wasn't terribly difficult (other than sanding end grain...pffffft). I used Titebond II, and plan on using salad bowl finish.

Travis Porter · 11-26-2008, 12:14 PM

To contradict Bas (which I thoroughly enjoy

) I have read that oak is a good choice due to the tannic acid in the wood killing bacteria. I agree with not using poplar, too soft. If you do go with some oak, I would use white oak over red. I think I would stay away from the exotics unless I knew for sure they were safe.

I have always used mineral oil on the ones I have made.

Bas · 11-26-2008, 01:06 PM

To contradict Travis (which I used to enjoy, but he's wrong so often, the fun has started to wear off...

)...

Actually, I had never thought about tannic acid. Red oak is extremely porous, which would make it easy for bacteria to penetrate, but if the tannic acid then kills them...sneaky! Sort of luring someone in the store with a $10 off coupon, then closing the trap.

I automatically assumed red oak when you wrote "oak" (that's all Jeff's fault...), but white oak should do great. It's somewhat porous, but not as much as red oak. Cherry would be good too.

skeeter · 11-26-2008, 01:48 PM

I made two years ago. Used Hickory and Walnut and they look good together. However, I did not use end grain for the top. Good thing I started out with a proud 6/4 stock. Have had to run them through the drum sander a couple of times over the years, but they are now almost 5/4 thich and still look good. I use a salad bowl finish.

PChristy · 11-26-2008, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Bas

Lots of good info here -> http://thewoodwhisperer.tv/7-a-cut-above-pt-1/
(two part episode)

Bas, Thanks for the post - this guys is good - lot of info - I added his site to my favs

welldigger · 11-26-2008, 10:48 PM

I use Watco butcherblock oil finish on my cutting boards.

11-27-2008, 12:00 AM

I made a couple of cutting boards once or maybe they were floor tiles? But they were not end grain like all the cool kids are doing nowadays.

Andy Casiello · 11-27-2008, 12:18 AM

I'm doing a batch of the "cool kids" boards right now - the Wood Whisperer's version. I'm using hard maple and walnut. I just did the 2nd glue-up on the first two boards tonight, and they seem to be coming out fine.

I'll take a couple photos tomorrow and post them (errr.. uh... if the LOML will let me "play" on Thanksgiving anyway)..

I have enough stock to make 5 or 6 of these, so I hope to improve on my processes as I go through it. Would love to have a drum sander right about now, however..

(cool kid smilie)

Shayne · 11-27-2008, 12:41 AM

I made some like those depicted in Wood magazine about two years ago out of walnut, cherry and maple. I used the same patterns they suggested but swapped the wood species on some to see how they'd turn out and they turned out nice. I went with Walnut oil for the finish as you don't need to replenish that like you do with mineral oil. I believe the down side though is that if anyone is allergic to walnuts they are out of luck. I used Titebond III simply because that is what I have.

Andy Casiello · 11-27-2008, 02:24 PM

The first couple of cutting boards coming along.. First shot is 2nd glue up, then the boards after their first coarse sanding. I'm pretty happy with them, but have a couple of ideas to improve the next batch..

Travis Porter · 11-27-2008, 08:13 PM

Very nice Andy!

PChristy · 11-27-2008, 10:30 PM

LOML said that she would rather have CERAMIC cuttin boards

Where have I gone wrong

DaveO · 11-27-2008, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by PLC'woodart

LOML said that she would rather have CERAMIC cuttin boards Where have I gone wrong

Those will dull your knives fast. So you will have to buy a Tormex and all the accessories to keep them sharp. If you look at it that way you haven't done wrong

Dave

11-27-2008, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by DaveO

Those will dull your knives fast. So you will have to buy a Tormex and all the accessories to keep them sharp. If you look at it that way you haven't done wrong

Dave

I agree with Dave A new fully accessorized Tormex in your future I do see, dangerous a dull knife is.