Cutting Board Question

Cutting Board Question · 11-26-2006, 05:54 PM

I've been clearing out alot of my short, dropoff pieces. You can only keep so much of the stuff. With Christmas around the corner I was thinking of turning them into cutting boards. I haven't previously made cutting boards so I was wondering if there are woods to avoid. What I have is primarily, Maple, Walnut, Mahogany,Cherry, and Purple Heart. Also, whats the best glue for this purpose?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

sapwood · 11-26-2006, 06:04 PM

Maple, walnut and oak seem like great choices. I've also done them with purpleheart and yellowheart . . . may not be as safe, but the color adds interest.

Don't think I would use lacewood

Roger

11-26-2006, 06:11 PM

Mike I agree with you, I'm not sure I would want to be taking a cleaver to a hunk of meat on a walnut cutting board.

Out of your choices I would run with the maple.

skeeter · 11-26-2006, 06:17 PM

Hey Stephen! I like to use some combination of Oak, Maple, Walnut, Cherry or Mahogany for good contrast. I also treat it with Salad Bowl Finish that I got from Tools Plus off College Rd. Purple Heart is mighty pretty, but I would stay from most of the exotics (just my opinion).

11-26-2006, 06:20 PM

Didn't someone post something about differnt kinds of wood and their toxicity? I seem to recall reading that somewhere.

dtomasch · 11-26-2006, 06:38 PM

I have used maho, oak, walnut, kumaru, ash, hick. My opinion is that the food is in contact of the board for a short period of time, and therefore, probably doesn't pick up enough toxin to be harmful. I use walnut oil from the grocery store. I figure that we breathe more toxins building the board than we ever will by preparing food. Just my "common sense" opinion, but i could be totaly wrong. I just use good ol yellow glue.

DaveO · 11-26-2006, 08:07 PM

I have used Purpleheart, Yellowheart, Padauk, Bloodwood, Maple, Walnut, Cocobolo, & Jatoba in my cutting boards. I currently use a PH & Maple board with a Cocobolo inlay, been going on 4 years now and haven't died yet. I believe most woods are safe for cutting board use, you really don't eat the board

Dave

cpowell · 11-27-2006, 08:21 AM

I would use everything you've listed. Mineral oil (found in the laxatives area of the supermarket) works just fine for a finish. I use Titebond II for the glue-up.

Chuck

SteveColes · 11-27-2006, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by DaveO

you really don't eat the board

Now you tell me

striker · 11-27-2006, 08:59 AM

Thanks for all your comments. I've looked at commercial cutting board sites ....they use Walnut and a variety of other woods. I was planning on making them "end grained up" so figure is not a factor but I understand your comments concerning lacewood in particular.

The Titebond website specifically recommends Titebond II for cutting boards. So good call on the Titebond II. Hmm.. maybe I should research first - now where have I heard that before?