How to Make a Cutting Board Out of Softwood or Hardwood
- 1). Select a block or board made of hardwood and with a grain that runs along its length. Good hardwoods to use are cherry, maple or even ironwood for a really durable board. You can use softwood, but it may be a little too soft for long-term endurance of frequent use. Also, softwood is more absorbent than hardwood, which increases the chances of fluids soaking into the board and rotting. Whichever wood you use, the construction procedure is the same.
- 2). Use a table saw to cut the block of wood along the length of its grain until you have a wooden board that is at least 1 inch thick and somewhat larger than your final cutting board will be. If you selected a pre-made board of solid wood instead of a block, it should also be at least 1 inch thick. There is no need to use a table saw to cut it.
- 3). Use a pencil to lightly trace the outline of your cutting board shape onto your wood board. You can create something decorative and don't necessarily have to create the classic rectangle shape with a handle.
- 4). Cut along the shape of your cutting board design using a jigsaw or a band saw. Cut slowly and carefully to maintain a neat cut and avoid slips or harmful saw accidents. Once you've cut out the shape of your board, use sandpaper or a power sander with a fine-grain paper attached to it to sand both surfaces of your board until they are completely smooth. Do the same with the edges. Sand them all around until they are slightly rounded and completely smooth. Your cutting board is ready.
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