Do you know that cutting boards can also be DIY projects? I will show you how to make a simple cutting board using basic tools. It is an easy and quick project, making it suitable for beginners. You can keep it for yourself or give it as a gift. Now, let's follow this post to learn the detailed instructions.
Tools to Make a Cutting Board
Here are the tools and machines you'll need for the cutting board:
- Table saw
- Thickness planer
- Sander and sandpapers
- Router
- Round-over or chamfer router bit
- Scraper
- Hardwood
- Waterproof wood glue
- Food-grade mineral oil
- Clamps (parallel, pipe, or bar clamp)
Steps to Build a Cutting Board
Making a cutting board is a relatively simple task in woodworking, even for beginners. Now, let’s look at the detailed instructions on how to make a cutting board with minimal tools. Note that safety is the most important thing during the whole process.
Select the Wood
Choosing the right type of wood is the first step to doing your task. I believe most of you will select the hardwoods for building a cutting board, and that’s right. Hardwoods, such as maple, cherry, walnut, and ash, are denser than softwoods and can prevent knives from scratching your board. The grain patterns of hardwoods are tight, making them moisture-resistant.
Tip: Not all hardwoods are suitable for making cutting boards, as some are toxic or have deep grain patterns that can harbor bacteria.
If you are a beginner woodworker with limited tools, I recommend purchasing pre-surfaced lumber at a minimal cost. This will save you the steps of using a jointer or planer, allowing you to cut directly with a table saw.
Cut the Boards into Strips
In this step, you will need a table saw to cut the wood into strips. Before that, decide the width, length, and thickness of your cutting board. If you don’t have pre-surfaced lumber, use a jointer or a thickness planer to achieve flatness.
Then, make a rip cut on the lumber. You can trim off the rough edge of each board first. When cutting, use some table saw accessories, like a fence, a thin rip jig, and a push block, to ensure the width of the wood strips is consistent and to protect your hands.
Tip: Please read the operating manual carefully before using the table saw and wear protective equipment. Ensure that the saw blade is perpendicular to the table.
Glue Up the Strips
After you complete cutting all the strips, it’s time to assemble them according to the pattern you like. Next, glue up the strips. Turn the strips over one by one and apply the waterproof wood glue on one face of each strip.
Tips: You can feed each strip into the planer to make the gluing surface smooth and flat. In this way, the glue is distributed more evenly, and the strips are glued more securely.
Once you glue up all the pieces, clamp them up. Excess glue will be squeezed out. When the glue dries, your cutting board might look bad. Don’t worry, use a scraper to clean off the excess glue.
Related Article: [2025]10 Types of Clamps
Trim the Cutting Board
Now you have a cutting board that looks pretty good. Then, use a thickness planer to perfectly flatten and remove all of the glue on the two faces of your cutting board. If there are still uneven areas, place a level piece of wood underneath, such as plywood.
You might need to trim both ends of the board to square it up. Use the table saw to do it. You can use a square to check your cuts and ensure they're 90 degrees. Or, if you have a miter saw, that’s all right.
Add Edges and Corners
This step is optional. If you want a softer touch on the cutting board, try adding some edges or corners. Choose a chamfer router bit or a round-over router bit and attach it to the router.
Also Read: How to Cut Chamfers and Roundovers on Wood Edges
Sand and Finish
Next comes the sanding and finishing. Remember to put on your dust mask and safety glasses to protect your eyes and lungs. Start sanding at 120 grit sandpaper, then to 180 grit, and finally to 220 grit. During the sanding process, spray the entire cutting board with water. This will help remove excess dust and raise the grain, making it easier for fine sanding.
The final step is to apply the oil to the cutting board. Pour some mineral oil onto the cutting board and spread it evenly with a cloth to cover the entire surface. After the first finishing, let it sit for about 30 minutes to allow the mineral oil to be fully absorbed. Repeat this step 2 or 3 times until the board no longer absorbs the oil.
Final Words
Building a cutting board is a fun and entry-level project. I hope you can have a perfect board by following the steps above. We would greatly appreciate it if you shared this post on your social media.
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FAQ About Building a Cutting Board with Basic Tools
#1. What tools to make a cutting board?
The tools you might need to make a cutting board are: a table saw, a thickness planer, a sander, a router, a chamfer or a round-over router bit, a scraper, and clamps. And the materials or supplies you need are hardwood, wood glue, and mineral oil.
#2. What wood should not be used for cutting boards?
You should not use softwoods for cutting boards because they are too soft to support knife cutting and are full of resin. Hardwoods such as cherry, ash, walnut, and maple are superior options.
#3. How to make a cutting board for beginners?
Making a cutting board is a simple task for woodworking beginners. The steps on how to make a cutting board are as follows:
- Select the wood
- Cut the boards into strips
- Glue up the strips
- Trim the cutting board
- Add edges and corners
- Sand and finish
