| Project by PebbleCreek | posted 339 days ago | 467 views | 7 times favorited | 11 comments | ![]() |
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I’ve enjoyed making these boards as gifts for the season, and they have provided me with the unexpected opportunity to refine the design, while practiceing my basic woodworking skills. I’ve added the sliding dovetail to attach the handle to the board. It’s my first all wood joint and after making 4 of them now I’m starting to get results I like.
The boards in the photo are Cocobolo/Maple, and Walnut/Maple. I’ve been staring at the Cocobolo in the local woodworking store for months now, every time shaking my head deciding to pass on such an expensive board. This last week I spotted a 1lf board in the cut bin so I splurged and picked it up. What a fun wood to work with, so dramatic when it’s finished.
Still have ideas for variations on these boards, changes you could make to the cutting board side. Plaid or herringbone patterns, engraving around the handles and such. Not going to making any more for the time being, after a month of making small things I’m really looking to try something big next.
Thanks for checking out my latest project.






























11 comments so far
Max
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14347 posts in 1165 days
posted 338 days ago
Beautiful design and combination of woods. On the sliding dovetail, did you glue any portion of it at all?
-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT
jm82435
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508 posts in 634 days
posted 338 days ago
very pretty. I like the dovetail. the cocobolo really get ones attention.
-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...
Kerux
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511 posts in 776 days
posted 338 days ago
Those are super cool. So you going to tell us about the dove tails and how you did it?
-- http://inhisgrip1.blogspot.com/
KzooPackFan
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21 posts in 343 days
posted 338 days ago
Those are some very nice boards.
PebbleCreek
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60 posts in 376 days
posted 338 days ago
The dovetails are glued in place. Some where tight enough that you could have let the joint hold it, but since these are cutting boards I didn’t want any small gaps for water to get into. Glueing seemed the right move.
I made the dovetails on the router table. First cutting a 1/4” channel in the slot side, working by 1/8 – 1/4 increaments bringing it upto “almost” the depth of the dovetail. Then swap out for the 1/2” dovetail bit, set the finial height and cut the slot side in one pass. I leave the dovetail bit where it is, since the hieght is set “perfectly” for the channel and switch to cutting the tail. I will set the fence so that it’s only taking small bites at a pass, and cut both sides of the board. I use a scrap piece of wood as a pusher to prevent it from blowing out on the back end of the cut. Move the fence back a bit, and cut both sides again. Just repeating this process and checking the joint each pass as it gets close. Some sort of micro-adjust on the fence would be nice; on my table I ever so slightly tap on the fence with my knuckel as the tail gets close to the right size. Which is a bit of a hit-or-miss thing.
oldskoolmodder
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707 posts in 572 days
posted 338 days ago
I’m not too good at dovetails, but these are very nice. I might have to start.
I’m making a few cutting boards this week for gifts, and they are missing something. When I saw these, I knew they were missing a hole to grab it by.
-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric
mtnwild
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2013 posts in 419 days
posted 338 days ago
Those are really pretty. Would enhance any kitchen. Well done!
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
Bob42
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285 posts in 682 days
posted 338 days ago
Very Nice!!
I love the dovetail. The wood grain and colors really compliment each other. Nice design.
What did you use as a finish?
-- Bob K. East Northport, NY
Tim Pursell
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388 posts in 674 days
posted 338 days ago
Great looking boards. The joint in the closeup looks perfect. Nice work!
-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6453794
Dusty56
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3456 posts in 580 days
posted 338 days ago
I thought that your first boards were nice , but you’ve topped yourself here : ) Happy Holidays : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Douglas Krueger
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379 posts in 616 days
posted 338 days ago
Professional looking boards with a great combination of woods. I am a sliding dovetail virgin as well but have recently been eyeing a sexy router for my defloration.
-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles