Reclaimed wood pieces glued together, sanded and oiled make a simple, durable cutting board.
By Michelle Kaufmann
Everything from furniture to siding to cabinetry can be made from reclaimed wood, which comes from sources like old buildings, railroad trestles, fallen trees, old docks, and barrels from breweries and wineries. You can collect reclaimed wood on your own or find a local lumber or scrap yard where they collect and sell it. Check out Buildingreuse.org to locate a place near you.
Making your own cutting board out of reclaimed wood is a simple, useful way to get familiar with this green material. If you have trouble finding good reclaimed wood locally, you can also use wood scraps leftover from other projects. If all else fails, go to a regular lumberyard and ask for any scraps they might have.
When choosing your wood, avoid open grain woods since these are likely to eventually harbor germs and food particles. The pieces don’t have to be the same length or height, but you do want them to be the same thickness so they create a flat surface. In addition to the wood, you’ll need some resorcinol or water-proof nontoxic wood glue, two clamps, and a table or circular saw.
VIDEO: See how to create your own cutting board >>
1. Glue all the pieces together, evenly distributing the glue along the edges and lining them up on one edge so you only have to cut one side.
2. Once every piece is glued together, clamp the board tightly and let the glue dry overnight.
3. Scrap off the excess glue on the top and bottom surfaces of the board and sand both sides well.
4. Use a table or circular saw to cut the board into an even rectangle or square.
5. Rub the board with a nontoxic, inert oil such as tongue, mineral, or walnut oil.
6. Always hand wash the board and reapply the oil after every wash.
You now have a beautiful and eco-friendly cutting board made with your own two hands — perfect for chopping up all your organic fruits and veggies!
Download directions to make this cutting board from Michelle Kaufmann's blog >>
Provided by Michelle Kaufmann - http://www.michellekaufmann.com
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