Drunken Cutting Board

[Peter P. Brown]

*Drunken Cutting Boards*





This is my first cutting board. An interesting pattern emerges from the flowing "S" shape and works really well with the high contrast of maple and walnut.

YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/v/GCZtB8qLydY

*Taking Stock Of Your Stock*

The process begins with two board that are the same thickness. In this case my lumber was 7/8 of an inch thick. I used Maple and Walnut because they are easily available to me and they contrast well with each other.


*Dimension The Lumber*

I then rip each board to 9" and crosscut to 14". Both boards being the same dimensions is key to this project turning out.


*Double Stick Tape*

The two boards are joined with double stick tape and taken over to the band saw. Double stick tape is a shop staple for me. I use this stuff for everything!


*The First Of A Series Of S Cuts*

I just cut an "S" shape at the band saw and repeated the process 5 times. I tried to make them similar but not precise. A free form cut is sorta of what gives this project it's charm! Who ever heard of drunken precision?


*Cleanup*

There were some tool marks from the band saw, I lightly sanded them off at the drum sander. What you don't want to do is change the shape of the curve and ruin the mating of the two pieces.


*Alternate The Pieces*

Next, you can alternate each piece and glue up the boards with a cool wavy look. The original design called for 1/8 cherry strips between the waves (you can see them in the picture). That didn't work out well for me.
No, I don't want to talk about it...


*Glue Up #1*

Alternate the pieces, add glue and apply clamping pressure. I ended up going with a couple of pipe clamps, but that was after a few false starts. I don't have a picture because I was in full panic mode at that point.


One one of the reasons this project takes so long is that there are 3 separate glue ups. Otherwise it's pretty simple.


*MOAR DOUBLE STICK TAPE!*

After the glue dries pass each board through the planer and get two parallel surfaces for joining together again with double stick tape.


*A Second Series Of S Cut*

This time I swapped out blades in my band saw in hopes of making the process better. It wasn't a grand idea and I should have stuck with the first blade (3/16 4tpi skip tooth blade) Look at those burn marks. LOOK AT THEM!


*Glue Up #2*

Now, we alternate the boards again and glue up for a second time. Once dried you can sand them flat or use your thickness sander. I used the planer, but it can chip out some of the cross grain. Oh I need a thickness sander in the shop!


*Who's Getting Tired Of Glue Ups?!*

Now we glue up for a THIRD time. This makes for a nice heavy cutting board about 1 1/2" thick. Of course this is not required. You could just add some rubber feet and end up with two great looking cutting boards.


That was my original plan, but I decided it needed more weight to it.


*Sanding & Handholds*

I routed two hand holds with a 1/2 rabbeting bit and rounded the corners on the disk sander. Then it's on to the sanding. I sanded to 220 grit. Take your time and get the surface nice and smooth!


*Finish*

I used mineral oil. Which is both extremely cheap and easy. Much like myself...





*The Original Post In 2009*
I made a few changes from the original, but I would be remiss not to link to the post were I first saw this project back in
2009

[Prashun Patel]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing your method. The effect makes the cutting board look 3-d. Really great. Filed for future ref. Thx.

[Mel Fulks]

Really striking " OP art" from an artful op. Reminds me of the fun we used to have holding chess boards up to Fun House Mirrors! Most whimsical and pleasing.

[Mike Henderson]

Great looking piece. And thanks for the tutorial.

Mike

[Andrew Hughes]

That is really cool, but I hate you for making it look so esay,thanks for sharing nicest cutting board Ive seen in a long time.

[glenn bradley]

Cool board and a great show-and-tell. Thanks for taking the time for the tutorial.

[Mike Null]

That is really cool! Thanks for the tutorial.

[Peter P. Brown]

Really striking " OP art" from an artful op. Reminds me of the fun we used to have holding chess boards up to Fun House Mirrors! Most whimsical and pleasing.

I can totally see that!! I should have added a couple more squares and we could have played drunken chess!

[Keith Winter]

Fantastic job! Great tutorial as well!

[Joe A Faulkner]

What a fun project. Thanks for sharing this.

[Al Launier]

WOW! Incredibly nice & such an interesting project. I'm printing this one for a future project, but will probably go thicker initial to yield two boads.
Well done indeed!

[Robert LaPlaca]

Pretty cool looking cutting board, thanks for sharing..

[Paul Romanoski]

Very cool project-love the look of it. At some point I would like to tackle this. Very unique! Nicely done-thanks for sharing it and the unusual process. Trying to think of other ways to use this technique-would take a while, but would make a one of a kind bed headboard!