Scrap Wood End Grain Cutting Board

In this woodworking video I'm using scrap wood to make a scrap wood end grain cutting board. This how-to woodworking video will show you step by step how to make a DIY cutting board. I'm using walnut scrap wood along with a piece of hard maple wood. End grain cutting boards are the best because and the most expensive because of the extra steps required as well as their durability over their life. I used my DeWalt Table saw and my DeWalt planer for most of this project and then I finished up the board with a juice groove, which I make a juice groove jig for, and mineral oil.

-Whatever scrap hardwood you have laying around!

-Titebond 3 wood glue (https://amzn.to/3CiMcI5)

-Mineral Oil (https://amzn.to/3joeNnU)

-Cove box router bits (https://amzn.to/3m4NjFC)

Plane all boards down to 3/4" thick.

Then rip all boards into 1 5/8" wide strips.

Now glue up in the desired pattern as shown. Be sure to use glue that is waterproof and rated for use with food. I used Titebond 3.

Allow the glue to to dry to 24 hrs and then plane down to 1 1/2" thick.

Now, using a cross cut sled, cut into 1 5/8" wide strips.

Now, flip every other piece to randomize the pattern and glue up as shown. Be sure to use lots of clamps for even pressure.

Now, plane to the final thickness of 1 1/2" thick. When planning an end grain board be sure to remove very small amounts of wood on each pass so you do not separate the grain or cause tear out.

WARNING: It's very dangerous to do this in a planer. It's possible for pieces to break off and shoot out of the machine at high speed. If you follow my instructions, attach longer sacrificial pieces of wood to the long edges with masking tape and CA glue. This will help protect the ends as well as prevent snipe.

Now clean up all 4 sides of the board. Start by using masking tape and CA glue to create a straight edge on one of the long edges as shown. Then clean up the other long side on the table saw. Finally, clean up the short edges on the table saw using a cross cut sled.

If you would like to, add a chamfered or roundover edge using a router.

Create a juice groove jig using the link below. Then, carefully, cut the groove in multiple passes. The direction of the router rotation should push the router into the guide jig.

Now sand going through all the grits but stop at 120. Then wet the board and let it dry. This will cause the grain to "pop" allowing for you to sand it smooth with 120 and 240 grit. This will also keep the board smooth over time.

If you would like to add rubber feet, pre drill small holes in all 4 corners about 1" from the edges. Now screw on the feet.

Finally, fill a plastic bin with food grade mineral oil and let the board soak for 30 min. Remove the board, wipe off excess oil and allow time to dry before use.