I still consider myself a new woodworker, even though I've been at it at least 10 years now! Why? There's seems to always be something new to learn and do!! I love it. And my projects are constantly changing, so I'm not like some of you contractor types that get to do the same thing over and over (from whom I've learned so much!! thx)
As is my SOP, when I take on a project, I usual find the most difficult and cool thing to do, just to really challenge myself and force me to learn. ( I'll have to post pix of my kitchen cabinet/drawer face upgrades in cherry someday!!! I totally went too advanced right out the gate! But no injuries and a few more jigs later and I'm a better man!!)
Anyway, this cutting board is no exception to that rule. I've done a fair amount of research (reading blogs, you-tubes, etc) over the past couple years and finally took it on, now that my Kitchen Upgrade is nearing completion and I'm sick of working with cherry! LOL... actually I love that cherry....
My very first cutting board:
1. wood is american black walnut, ash, borders are curly maple ($200 of wood)
2. checkerboard (geesh, lineup is quite harder than it appears!!)
3. 2 FOOT square. 3 inches thick. Yup - think about that..... HUGE and HEAVY... actually subtract about 1/8 inch as sanding/leveling changed it (had to work out slight cupping and unevenness)
4. TiteBond 3... and it's kinda old... so I read some concerns about that. I do have to say that it has worked well so far in all my cherry raised panel glue-ups and a couple other projects. I'm still keeping a weary eye on all of them, now. Another thing about this glue... I was piecing together this cutting board and while I was working, I noticed one piece slide a little and I grabbed my dead blow hammer to adjust. I hit that sucker with everything I had to the point I thought I was going to blow out splinters on the maple border piece!! I had JUST glued it and it would not budge. Not even the 1/16th or so I needed it to!!! So... dunno if that's good/bad, but I certainly don't think I should have problems in the future - but YOU tell me!
5. I love my Bessey Revo Clamps. Guys - if you don't have these, get at least 1 pair - DO IT!! INSANE simplicity and holding power and everything. I have some of those cheapo HF aluminum bar clamps, but I find the force I put on them actually bends, twists the metal... still ok for small stuff, though.... but these Besseys are VERY nice.
6. I'm going to use the mineral oil/beeswax finish trick
Please, gurus, give me all your most candid inputs!!! I mean it. You won't hurt my feelings. This is my 1st cutting board. I'm quite sure those who know can appreciate the nutty amount of work I had to put into this, what seemed simple at first glance, incredibly difficult project. I did learn a couple things along the way and I'm sure my next will be better and faster (and smaller!)... that's what it's all about, right!
A couple pix are forthcoming... with some explanations...
THANKS!
Dennis