A wood cutting board is an essential kitchen tool for any home cook or professional chef. Not only is it a functional surface for cutting and chopping fruits, vegetables, and meats, but it can also be a beautiful addition to your kitchen décor. Building a wood cutting board is an excellent woodworking project for beginners and experienced woodworkers alike.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to build a wood cutting board. We’ll cover the materials you’ll need, the tools required, and the steps to assemble and finish your cutting board.
Materials:
- Hardwood lumber (maple, walnut, or cherry)
- Food-safe wood glue
- Mineral oil or beeswax for finishing
- Sandpaper (220 grit)
- Mineral spirits
- 2 small clamps
Tools:
- Table saw or circular saw
- Miter saw or hand saw
- Planer or hand plane
- Router or chisel
- Drill with a 1/4-inch bit
- Orbital sander or sanding block
- Clean, lint-free rags
Step 1: Choose Your Lumber The first step is to choose the wood for your cutting board. The best wood for a cutting board is hardwood, which is durable and can withstand the constant chopping and cutting. Some excellent choices for hardwoods include maple, walnut, and cherry. You can choose one type of wood or create a pattern by combining different types.
Step 2: Cut the Lumber Once you have selected your wood, it’s time to cut it to size. Cut your wood into strips that are 1 1/2 inches wide and the same length. You will need at least three strips of wood for your cutting board, but you can use more if you want a larger board.
Step 3: Glue the Strips Together After cutting the wood strips, it’s time to glue them together. Lay the wood strips side by side and apply a thin layer of food-safe wood glue to one side of each strip. Then, place the strips together, making sure the ends are flush. Clamp the wood strips together with two small clamps and let the glue dry for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4: Plane the Wood After the glue has dried, use a planer or hand plane to smooth out the surface of the wood. You want to make sure the surface is even and flat so that your cutting board will be level. After planing the wood, use an orbital sander or sanding block to sand the surface of the wood until it’s smooth.
Step 5: Round the Corners Using a miter saw or hand saw, cut the corners of the board to create a rounded edge. Alternatively, you can use a router or chisel to create a more decorative edge.
Step 6: Drill a Hole Drill a 1/4-inch hole in one of the corners of the cutting board. This hole is for hanging the board when not in use.
Step 7: Finish the Board The final step is to finish your cutting board. Sand the board again with a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit). Wipe down the board with mineral spirits to remove any dust. Then, apply a food-safe finish such as mineral oil or beeswax. Apply a generous amount of the finish to the board and use a clean, lint-free rag to rub it into the wood. Let the finish dry for several hours, or overnight, before using your new cutting board.
Tips for Building a Wood Cutting Board
- Choose food-safe wood glue that is specifically designed for cutting boards.
- Use a planer or hand plane to ensure the wood is level and even.