This is an eighth grade advanced project where two, three, or four students will work as a team to assemble and create their own, individual kitchen cutting boards to take home.

This project is available to students who have completed other assigned work up to this point in the semester, and want to do an extra not-for-credit project.

As you produce this project, keep this page on-screen for reference.

Don't print this webpage- you will eventually throw it in the trash!

This is the table we will use, and if the weather is good, roll it outside so you will have more room to work.

Behind locker number one are some large pads of paper. Pull off two or three sheets, and tape them down overlapping one another.

Depending on the length of your individual pieces, use two or three "pony" clamps. Be sure the center clamp is not higher than the other two.

Using the carpenter's glue (not white glue!) drag a bead on opposite sides of each piece.

Spread out the glue to completely cover the surface.

Too much glue will be wasted as you clamp the pieces together, and make your work look messy.

As you spread the glue on each piece, set each one upright in the order you will clamp them.

Detail of one end. The spring clamps and wooden guides will help keep the individual lengths even and flat.

Sponge up excess glue before clamping on the guides.

Tap the ends with the mallet to equalize the elevation of the individual slats.

Pounding hard will destroy all your work up to this point!

Tap the full length of the assembly, on each slat, as you slowly compress the pony clamps.

You want equal pressure from both the mallet and the clamps, while the complete assembly remains flat.

There is a tendency to tighten the clamps too tight.

If that happens, you will squish out too much glue and weaken the bond between slats.

A layer of glue must remain between slats while they are firmly held together completely flat and immobilized.

Wipe up glue with a sponge, rinse sponges and brushes in the sink, and allow your set-up to cure for two days.

Avoid Pulling A Clayton, and see the instructor for using the planer.

After planing both sides of your cured length of cutting board, go on to the next steps:

Using a square, mark with a pencil where you will make your cuts. On the ends, be sure you have cut off checks and cracks and voids that glue did not fill.

If you use the fence on the band saw, avoid pushing to fast or hard, or the blade will wander off your mark.

Where is Adam's Push Stick!!!

Final sections should be twelve to fourteen inches long. Avoid waste as much as possible, and we will re-use long lengths cut off from the main assembly portion.

If the planer has done a good job, use a sanding block and sand only the ends, sides, and edges.

No machine sanding for this project!

Cut two pieces for the "foot" and drill the foot first so that each screw hole will align with the center of one of the wood slats in the board.

Countersink only the foot, but do not drill the board until you have put screws in the foot and precisely marked the board by tapping the screws with a hammer-- see the next picture.

Work on a completely flat surface. Tapping the board on an uneven surface may split it!

This portion of the project is the most critical, easiest to mess up, so see the instructor when you're ready to do these steps.

See the screws protruding from the foot? Tap them with a hammer to mark the board, and drill one size smaller than the screw. (but not through the board!!!!)

Ask someone to show you how to mark the drill bit with a piece of tape so you will not drill through the board.

Add just enough glue to avoid squishing it out the sides when you assemble the parts.

This is a pretty good job except that the screw has not been countersunk enough. The screw will scratch whatever you put the cutting board on.

If this is you, take out the screw and countersink a little more.

If you sand the screw, you will sand off the cadmium plating and the screw will eventually rust.

Time to take home your board and do the last step!

Us

Using Olive Oil or Mineral Oil, take a cloth and rub your cutting board, top, bottom, and sides, and permit the oil to soak in. After two or three hours, coat the top surface once again and wipe off excess oil.

Done!

Copy, paste, and print the text below:

-- This is a handcrafted artisan product --

* It must be seasoned properly to acquire water-resistant properties

* It is not dishwasher or microwave safe

* It should not be washed with soap

* Moisture should be wiped off and it should be kept in a dry, well ventilated space

* It should not be exposed to direct sunlight

* It should not be used to cut raw meat without extraordinary hygienic and cleaning precautions and procedures