Friday, June 18, 2010

End Grain Maple Cutting Board Project

I have been making cutting boards lately and thought I would show you all one that I just finished. the cutting surface is made of solid "end grain" maple and is just short of 2 inches thick. End grain makes for a superior cutting board and the thickness of the maple will make this one really solid.




I made the stubby feet by turning the wood on a lathe. They are also made out of maple. Instead of using wood screws to attach them I bored 1.25" holes into the bottom of the board and used a waterproof food grade glue to attach them. Good luck getting them off!





I also put rubber pads on the feet to keep from marring a dining table or counter top. That way it can be used on your dining table as a trivet or serving piece, as well. I tried to think of everything.



My goal here was to make a small practical cutting board, inspired by the huge, antique, old time butcher blocks, that I have never had room for in my kitchen. It had to be small enough to stay on a counter and big enough to do most of my cutting jobs. I wanted it to be able to last a couple of decades or longer. I finished it with pure food safe mineral oil.

What do you think of it?





See who I am linking up to today by visiting my Link Party Directory. It lists over 100 parties this week.

26 comments:

furygirl3132 said...

Hello! I am a new follower from Follow Me Friday, look forward to reading more of your blog. Have a wonderful weekend!

Eloise
Mommy2TwoGirls
http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/

Kori said...

Looks fantastic!

Unknown said...

Ohhh! I love it!

Thanks so much for linking up!

Jamee said...

wow! it is not only functional but a work of art!!

The Autocrat: Haley said...

OMG! Can't believe you made that!! Fabulous job!!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

That's pretty cool! I like how it makes a checkerboard pattern. The feet are great, too.

I wonder if that could be done on the diagonal to make a harlequin pattern~would it hold together?

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Suzanne,

Their are an endless supply of patterns possible that you can do with cutting boards. Some of the ones I have seen are extremely complicated. I rarely hear of one coming apart because the glue used is often stronger than the wood itself. Just about whatever geometric pattern you can dream up is probably possible, although a person may need to possess a high skill level to get it done.

Rory

No name said...

This is truly a unique creation! I'm quite impressed with the creative thought process in coming up with this idea.

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Thanks All,

This cutting board was fun. I love doing projects that involve antiques or ones that are inspired by antiques. Have a terrific weekend.

Rory

Jill said...

This is fabulous! I love that it can be a trivet too!

Popping over from Punkin Seed Productions!

~JILL @ envirocraftiness.blogspot.com

Hancock said...

I like it! new follwer from Sunday showcase.

http://hancockshouseofhappy.blogspot.com

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

I think you did a wonderful job. You are very talented. Mona

Charity said...

That is so pretty...and useful. And you are so talented!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

Wonderful! Can I put in my order for one!?! :) You really did a fantastic job!

Life in Rehab said...

That came out really cool!

Anonymous said...

You are amazing! That is so good...I want one! Wonder if i could do that? Visiting from Met Monday~

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Hi Mary,

End grain cutting boards look simple but are not for the total beginner. Also, on mine I turned the legs on a lathe, but you could omit the legs or find something premade that was suitable. If you have never made a cutting board before I suggest atarting out with an "edge grained" board instead of the end grain version. Going with edge grain is a nice compromise and makes a good quality board also. Let me me know if you decide to try one. I would be happy to give you some pointers.

Rory

Sarah @ The Pumpkin Patch said...

What a beautiful cutting board. Want to make me one?! :)

Thanks for linking to Messy Monday!

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Hi Sarah,

Glad you like it. Occasionally I sell some of my work and that happens to be a cutting board that I put on Etsy. $59 + travel. If you are interested here is the link...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49741182/maple-butcher-block-style-cutting-board

or you can click on the picture on my sidebar.

I seldom make two alike of anything, so it is a one of a kind cutting board.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Rory

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

What a gorgeous piece of wood. Love the added feet to this. Simply beautiful - I love the natural look. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful week. ~ Stephanie Lynn

Donene said...

This turned out so beautiful! You are very talented with wood, I love the feet!

Shirley said...

A beautiful cutting board!

Small Burst said...

This looks great! It would be perfect in my kitchen. i would love a tutorial on this.

Small Burst said...

This looks great! It would be perfect in my kitchen. i would love a tutorial on this.

Unknown said...

You are so talented and it looks awesome!
Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related!
{Rebekah}

Its So Very Cheri said...

Fabulous!!! I will add this to my cont. fabs list--posting tomorrow morning.

have a great week.

Cheri