How To Make A Cutting Board

If you are one of those people who love to work in the kitchen and make delicious recipes every now and then, you must be aware of the importance of a cutting board. In case you have gone to the market to buy one, then you would also have an idea of how costly they are. What to do now? Spend a lot of money on a thing as simple as a cutting board or simply go without one? If you agree with the option we have at hand, you will have to follow none of these alternatives. The option we have for you comprises of making a cutting board at home, at a fraction of the price charged in the market. Now, in case you are wondering how to make a cutting board, the instructions listed below would prove to be handy.

How To Build Cutting Boards

Supplies Needed

Wood Stock
Measuring Tape
Table Saw
Waterproof Glue
Bar Clamps
80-, 120- and 220-grit Sandpaper
Belt Sander
Router, with 3/4-inch roundover bit
Mineral or Walnut Oil
Brush or Rags
Safety Goggles or Glasses

Instructions

First of all, you will need to select the wood stock for your cutting board. As far as possible, stick to a hardwood stock, for the purpose. Do make sure that the wood stock you choose does not have knots or any other similar defects, which can make your cutting board, look unattractive.
You will now have to cut 16 strips from the wood stock, each of them being 1-inch wide. As for the length of the strips, it will depend upon how big you want your cutting board to be. However, keep in mind that you will have to cut the strips a bit longer than the desired length.
Making use of waterproof glue, stick together the wood strips, cut from the stock, to prepare the surface of the cutting board. Attach bar clamps, to make sure that the glued strips stay together and then leave them undisturbed, overnight.
By morning, all the strips would have been glued together perfectly. Now, remove the bar clamps and use the belt sander, to sand the top and bottom of the board and make it smooth. Start with the 80-grit sandpaper, then use 120-grit and finish with 220-grit.
With the help of a table saw, cut the now-smooth board into desired length. To make the top edges of the cutting board round and smooth, run a router around them. Again use the sandpapers of varying fineness, to sand the entire wooden block, in the same manner as before.
Use a clean brush or rag to apply an even coat of oil all over the cutting board. Do make sure that the coat of oil is thick enough that it soaks into the wood. At the same time, while applying the oil, move in the direction of the grain.
It is now the time to buff the surface of the cutting board, with the help of steel wool (if you so desire). It will help your cutting board absorb the next coat of oil better. Finally, apply another coat of oil on the cutting board. Now, it is ready to be used.

Tip

Whenever you feel that the wood of your cutting board is beginning to dry out, buff the surface with steel wool and add a new coat of oil.

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