How To: Chopping Board / Butchers Block / Cutting Board
Making a chopping board is a great first project. In my opinion, it is the best starter project when getting into woodworking. I’ll break down everything you will need and the instructions.
Tools and Materials:
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Wood glue
- Clamps
- Square
- Panel saw
- Bench plane
- Shooting board
- Scraper
- Sandpaper
- Food-safe oil
To make the chopping board we will be using the edge-to-edge joint. We will be joining smaller pieces of wood to form a larger piece of wood.
Wood:
It is important to use hardwood for this project. If you use softwood your chopping board won’t be able to handle much chopping. Here are some recommended woods for chopping boards…
- Maple
- Beech
- Teak
- Walnut
I would recommend mixing two kinds of wood together to make your chopping board more unique.
Cut List:
- Choice of wood – 23in. / 1in. / 1in.
Instructions:
1. Arrange pieces
Make sure to arrange the pieces exactly how you want them. Align the grain and make sure that they look good in appearance. This is also where you can mix and match the different colors. You can do maple and teak or walnut and maple. Whatever you think looks best.
2. Draw a V-mark
Once you have everything lined up you are going to draw a V-mark on the top face of the pieces. The purpose of this is so you can replicate the exact position that you set the pieces.
3. Glue edges
Apply glue to the edges that are going to be joined together. Make sure to spread the glue with a brush or finger. Applying the glue with a brush insures that all areas will be joined correctly.
4. Clamp
Lay the pieces of wood together while lining up the V-mark. Wipe away the excess glue that squeezes out from between the wood.
Once you have all the marks lined up clamp the pieces of wood. Sash clamps work best for this. It is also a good idea to add a scrap piece of wood between your project and the sash clamps.
5. Mark the length
Mark out the size that your finished chopping board will be. A good size that I used is 17 in. This is completely up to preference, you can even change the shape if you like.
6. Cut the end grains
Use your panel saw to cut on your marked lines. Make sure to cut slowly and to wear safety equipment.
7. Shoot the end grains
Square and smooth the edge grains with a bench plane
8. Smooth both sides
For this, you can use a cabinet scraper or low grit sandpaper. Most importantly, make sure that the board is flat.
9. Bench plane
Using a bench plane, work around the edges on the top of the board. Rounding the edges on the front face. Work across the grain and then with the grain.
10. Curve the edges
Now do the same to each of the four edges. Continue this until desired.
11. Sand all sides
Sand down until the chopping board is perfectly smooth.
12. Apply food-safe oil
Do NOT use cooking oils like vegetable or olive oil. These will riot. Instead, use food-safe mineral oil here is 32oz on amazon for $14.00
Chopping boards are a great easy gift to through together for friends and family. They will be impressed and you can save so much time shopping for gifts.
