This is a badge bit (
BB) that is part of the
PEM curriculum. Completing this BB is part of getting the
straw badge in
Dimensional Lumber Woodworking.
Christmas is coming up. Here's a
project that can fulfill your gift-giving needs for a while - a cutting board. This one is special because we'll build it without using glue!
Some people don't want glue touching their food. One big slab of
wood will likely cup or warp, that's why they are often made of multiple pieces of wood. We can use some creative woodworking to resolve this problem. Unfortunately YouTube doesn't have any videos of making one like this. Here are some ideas of ways to do it:
- Cut 1x1 hardwood pieces into consistent lengths. Arrange them together (butcher block style) and cut a circular perimeter. Get them really dry in the
oven. Fit a metal band around them. When they swell back up a bit, they'll be locked together.
- Take a few boards that will be the cutting board. Cut a lengthwise dovetail on the left sides and a matching dovetail pin down the right side. Slide the dovetails together. Bonus if they're slightly tapered so they jam together tightly. Use wooden pins perpendicular to the surface to lock the dovetails in place.
- Connect a few boards with butterfly joints.
- Laminate boards E/W, N/S, E/W together in some glue-less manner.
Minimum requirements:
- Make a cutting board without glue or metal fasteners
- Have at least two boards as the surface of the cutting board
- At least 10" by 12"
- At least 1" thick
- Made from hardwood
Provide proof of the following as pictures or
video (<2 min):
- The lumber you're going to use for this project
- Midway through the construction process
- Completed cutting board showing joinery
Cutting board - PEM BB dimensional.straw.cuttingboard
