Make an End-Grain Cutting Board

The traditional style for making cutting boards for butcher shops uses short pieces of wood tipped upright and glued together so that the end grain becomes the cutting surface. Besides having a distinctive look dominated by the annual growth rings that grew when the wood formed, this style better resists damage from knife blades. Often called chopping blocks, they differ from many cutting boards, which are wooden strips glued together along their long edges so the wood grain runs the length of the board.

You'll begin with a brief overview of the types of wood typically used for cutting boards and the styles of end-grain cutting boards that can be made. With guidance, you'll then mill lumber in various stages of roughness to the smooth, straight, and square-edge pieces you need. The instructor will guide you through proper techniques for gluing and clamping, trimming to final size, sanding, and applying the final finish.

You'll walk away with a wonderful piece for your own kitchen or a gift, and gain confidence with tools including the jointer, planer, miter saw, and table saw. You'll get plenty of experience simply because so many parts are involved. Whether you're relatively new to woodworking or experienced with power tools, you’ll find making a cutting board to be fun and a great way to gain more experience.

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