My first three cutting boards

I’d be keeping that middle one, too. They are all nicely done.

-- Maplewood, MN

Nice looking boards.

Try taking 1/32” passes, it takes a little longer, but it severly reduces the risk of damage, I tend to use a hand plane and belt sander first, then move onto the plane, just ensure that everything is level, then back to an orbital sander.

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

Hey those look great. I’m with Tony on the light planer passes.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

Hey gentlemen, thanks for your posts. I found out the problem with my planer. There was a build up of wood shavings UNDER the blades, (between the drum and the blade) and the heavy gauge steel plate that holds the blades down is actually bent up, causing an uneven plane on the wood. No wonder it ruined a couple of boards. I will need to order a couple of parts. So, I have not given up yet on the idea of planing end grain cutting boards. On that note, I have learned, not only do you need sharp blades, and cut less than 1/32 but ease very slowly into the planer right before the piece hits the blades. Having a push board behind helps too, then a short prayer!

Enjoy your holidays!

Kent

nice end grain cutting boards. i built a stroke sander a few years ago just to sand end grain boards. Grizzly sells one for $1800. you can probably build one for $100 plus the cost of an electric motor. i made mine for $80 with used 1/3 horse motor that i had. it works great for sanding any flat panels. i sell cutting boards to support my woodworking habit.

-- jerryw-wva.

i am interested in your stroke sander. can you post a pic or describe it?

Kent, go to grizzlyimports.com and go to sanders to see a picture of one. basicly it is a horizonal belt sander with sliding table under the sanding belt. you hold the belt down on the wood with a pad. it is very easy to use without sanding low places in your panel. the stock # G5394 is the grizzly stroke sander. if i can get my daughter in law to take picture of mine and post it here, i will in the next few days.

-- jerryw-wva.

Kent,

Great job on the cutting boards!

If you really get into making them, you might also want to consider a wide belt sander as a solution. You should be able to control the tearout a whole lot better and it would reduce your time spent hand sanding.

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your post Ethan.

I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas!

I am considering investing in a sander and making 50 or more of these end grain boards. I already used these boards as excuse to buy more Besse Clamps. I could see making about 4 per weekend.

The middle one is the keeper!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)