End-Grain Cutting Boards

[Poobah]

After sneaking peaks at the projects over at lumberjocks for a while I finally made my first cutting board.

I found a pretty nice redwood 4x4 at the big box store and had a 4x4 cull lumber (thought it might be pine, but am thinking it was Douglas Fir). I added part of a pine 2x6 I had laying around (again, thought the other one was pine too).

The goal was more contrast, but I am still pretty happy with the way things turned out. The boards are about 1-1/4 thick and 11x14 and 8x11.

I used my flat sander quite a bit on this project and finished the boards with walnut oil.

Was trying to figure out how to make a nice groove in the smaller one, but I either don't have the right bits or just can't quite figure it out.

[sweensdv]

That's a really great look.

[radhak]

Looks great! And looks like you did manage the groove anyhow...

[Whaler]

Very nice.

[steve-norrell]

Very nice, indeed. Groove looks great. I usually have a problem with burning and have to do lots of sanding.

A very attractive pattern with that combination of woods. Do you expect any problems with using redwood and fir (or pine)?

Regards, Steve.

[dbhost]

I think those are the first softwood cutting boards I have ever seen. Nicely done!

[BigguyZ]

Looks good! Only question is, aren't softwoods a concern because of larger pores/ more spaces for bacteria to hide?

[leehljp]

I also have a question. Will you post a picture of this in a year or two?

When I make things like this with grain running in different directions and with different woods, the wood movement (due to humidity changes) causes gaps, splits, cracks, separations and unlevel joints. Of course this does not happen with veneer thicknesses, but with anything above 1/4 inch, it usually does happen to me.

I am trying to figure out how others overcome this problem. Thanks.

[Poobah]

Sure will do.

I had no idea about this and pretty much just tried to arrange things so it looked somewhat decent.

[nickg]

Very nice! I like the 'frame' and groove on the smaller board. I've been wanting to try one of these cutting boards - maybe this will be the inspiration!!

[chopnhack]

Poobah, it came out very nice. I am sure you finished both sides with the walnut oil. I would consider following the time honored: oil it once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a month for life. As for the shrinking, I guess that will depend on how well you seasoned the wood.

[Shep]

Wow, really great work. I'm also interested to see how this will age with time.