Something other than a guitar on the workbench

[dave d]

Working with the walnut binding and kerfing on my latest guitar reminded me of how much I like to use various types of walnut, so I started building a walnut cutting board/butcher block.
I've ripped and planed some 2" walnut from a rough 7"x 68" slab. The edges have been jointed and the strips are glued up into a panel.

I'll be cross-cutting the panel into strips and then gluing them into an edge-grain style of butcher block.

More photos to come later.

By the way, the glue used here is Titebond III, which is approved for use in applications where contact with food will occur. I'll be finishing it with a mineral oil/beeswax mix.

IMG-20121103-00074.jpg (172.26 KiB) Viewed 1263 times

[Robert Hosmer]

Lookin' good, Dave.
Wish I could use walnut, but the kid has nut allergies. Don't know if the wood itself matters, so we just play it safe and use the old standby (hard maple).
I always liked butcher block/cutting board projects. Probably one of the most useful projects for developing strong basic woodworking skills, with a very valuable return.
BTW, two thumbs up on using TB III; the best way to go for this application.

Rob

[dave d]

Thanks Rob. I'm actually making a maple block as well. Being wishy-washy, I couldn't decide which one to make so I'm doing both :)

Another reason for wanting to make it is that it shows my wife that I'm still going to make the odd project that doesn't have frets and an x-brace.

[TonyinNYC]

Nice. I try to fix something around the house once a year or so just to prove I can do more than build a guitar.

[Dave Bagwill]

ddietz - you COULD help support it with an x-brace, but I would use the full 5/16" stuff and no scallop.

[ken cierp]

So the end grain will be the cutting surface?

[dave d]

That's right. It sounds odd, but even though the end-grain is a harder surface (than the flat grain), it is easier on the knife edge because it goes between the wood fibers instead of across them.