10-14-2019, 01:57 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-14-2019, 02:00 PM by BrokenOlMarine.)
I had seen some cutting boards done on You Tube, and had a lot of leftover scrapes and decided to try it. I figured all I would waste is time. Right?
The first three were walnut and maple, and I learned a lot from the attempts. I learned that they turn out a lot better IF:
* You don't try and piece together the lengths no matter how square and sharp the center joints are.
* You DO joint and plane all four sides, BEFORE glue up. Less work to the board after glue up.
* Clamps are the key, the right type of clamps. Parallel Clamps.
* The right amount of glue. Too much, lots of clean up. Not enough, gaps.
How much is the right amount. Good Question isn't it?
The first Three weren't a waste, I worked them and worked them and I won't throw them out. They are nice looking, and I'll do something with them. Miss Tina has claimed one. (The Walnut and Maple board, forth from the left.)
Six Board Lineup
[attachment=21168]
The Forth board I made was a Chevron cutting board. I added Mahogany for a touch of flavor and it was double the work, but I was pleased. NOT perfect, still didn't have the right clamps, but they were on order. Another practice board, but.. I didn't feel it turned out too bad.
The Bessy Clamps came in and I made up the Work Jig to assemble the cutting boards on from PVC... I had learned to apply the glue with a paint roller cutting the assembly time by 80%. I was ready to go.
The PVC JIG
[attachment=21172]
All this had a reason. A good friend had given me the top to a family coffee table and told me to do whatever I wanted with it, they no longer had room and it had been in storage for over a decade, they were decluttering. The Table had been commissioned by his dad when they were living in the Caribbean, and was made from an exotic wood only available in that area. It had been in the family some 70+ years. The dad turns 100 years old this December. I have met Dad and like him a lot. He was a decorated Bomber Pilot in WWII, a humble man, who never speaks about the war much, but has some stories he will share with certain vets. (I was honored he chose to share a few with me, when he saw MY wings.) Among his medals are a pair of Purple Hearts.
I was struck with inspiration several months ago, and began research and planning. After the practice noted above, I was ready, so I disassembled the table top, ran it across the table saw cutting the wood into 1-1/2" wide strips, then planed them to remove the old finish and wear. I filled old screw holes using plugs cut from the excess, and then glued the boards into two cutting boards, with a couple accents, of Spaulted Maple and a center stripe of Purple Heart... a nice accent with a special meaning.
I took special care with these boards as the wood was irreplaceable. If I made an error I couldn't just cut more wood. My friend didn't ask for anything from the wood, I think he expected I would make a couple boxes and give them away, as has been my practice. I am hoping he will be happy when he and his son, A firefighter paramedic in the area, receive the two cutting boards for Christmas. A remembrance for years to come of their father/grandfather. A good man, who earned two Purple Hearts while flying bombers in WWII.
Chevron Cutting Board and the Two Honor Cutting Boards
[attachment=21169][attachment=21170][attachment=21171]
The three boards with finish applied have been sanded to 220 grit, had the grain raised and resanded, then had the first coat of mineral oil applied when the pics were taken. They will get a second coat of mineral oil applied, then possibly a third, then be polished with beeswax. They will have small feet applied to the corners. Honestly, I don't expect they will be used, but if they do, this finish is "supposed" to be food safe and easily maintained.
I will continued to make the cutting boards for the enjoyment, trying new patterns and improving my skills. I will make chess boards and other items to use up the shop scraps.
It's a good way to fill the time as well.
The first three were walnut and maple, and I learned a lot from the attempts. I learned that they turn out a lot better IF:
* You don't try and piece together the lengths no matter how square and sharp the center joints are.
* You DO joint and plane all four sides, BEFORE glue up. Less work to the board after glue up.
* Clamps are the key, the right type of clamps. Parallel Clamps.
* The right amount of glue. Too much, lots of clean up. Not enough, gaps.
How much is the right amount. Good Question isn't it?The first Three weren't a waste, I worked them and worked them and I won't throw them out. They are nice looking, and I'll do something with them. Miss Tina has claimed one. (The Walnut and Maple board, forth from the left.)
Six Board Lineup
[attachment=21168]
The Forth board I made was a Chevron cutting board. I added Mahogany for a touch of flavor and it was double the work, but I was pleased. NOT perfect, still didn't have the right clamps, but they were on order. Another practice board, but.. I didn't feel it turned out too bad.
The Bessy Clamps came in and I made up the Work Jig to assemble the cutting boards on from PVC... I had learned to apply the glue with a paint roller cutting the assembly time by 80%. I was ready to go.
The PVC JIG
[attachment=21172]
All this had a reason. A good friend had given me the top to a family coffee table and told me to do whatever I wanted with it, they no longer had room and it had been in storage for over a decade, they were decluttering. The Table had been commissioned by his dad when they were living in the Caribbean, and was made from an exotic wood only available in that area. It had been in the family some 70+ years. The dad turns 100 years old this December. I have met Dad and like him a lot. He was a decorated Bomber Pilot in WWII, a humble man, who never speaks about the war much, but has some stories he will share with certain vets. (I was honored he chose to share a few with me, when he saw MY wings.) Among his medals are a pair of Purple Hearts.
I was struck with inspiration several months ago, and began research and planning. After the practice noted above, I was ready, so I disassembled the table top, ran it across the table saw cutting the wood into 1-1/2" wide strips, then planed them to remove the old finish and wear. I filled old screw holes using plugs cut from the excess, and then glued the boards into two cutting boards, with a couple accents, of Spaulted Maple and a center stripe of Purple Heart... a nice accent with a special meaning.
I took special care with these boards as the wood was irreplaceable. If I made an error I couldn't just cut more wood. My friend didn't ask for anything from the wood, I think he expected I would make a couple boxes and give them away, as has been my practice. I am hoping he will be happy when he and his son, A firefighter paramedic in the area, receive the two cutting boards for Christmas. A remembrance for years to come of their father/grandfather. A good man, who earned two Purple Hearts while flying bombers in WWII.
Chevron Cutting Board and the Two Honor Cutting Boards
[attachment=21169][attachment=21170][attachment=21171]
The three boards with finish applied have been sanded to 220 grit, had the grain raised and resanded, then had the first coat of mineral oil applied when the pics were taken. They will get a second coat of mineral oil applied, then possibly a third, then be polished with beeswax. They will have small feet applied to the corners. Honestly, I don't expect they will be used, but if they do, this finish is "supposed" to be food safe and easily maintained.
I will continued to make the cutting boards for the enjoyment, trying new patterns and improving my skills. I will make chess boards and other items to use up the shop scraps.
It's a good way to fill the time as well.
Jim in Okie
You can tell a lot about the character of a man -
By the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man -
By the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
