This project was built and designed by Billy from Newton Makes. It’s a striking 3D-style cutting board that combines durable end grain construction with a geometric pattern that looks almost too cool to use.
The result is a functional piece of kitchen art made from walnut, sapele, maple, and cherry. It’s a great project for intermediate woodworkers looking to practice precision and pattern design while creating something truly eye-catching.
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Why Try a 3D Cutting Board?
End grain cutting boards are durable and easy on knives—but they can also be stunning to look at. This board adds a visual twist with a 3D-style optical illusion, created by arranging contrasting woods in a careful sequence.
It’s the kind of piece that makes people ask, “How did you make that?” The good news is, the process is straightforward if you break it into steps and take your time.
Selecting the Right Materials
Billy uses a combination of walnut, maple, cherry, and sapele. These four hardwoods offer strong contrast and work well for end grain applications.
Walnut brings a dark, rich tone to the board. Maple provides clean, bright highlights. Cherry warms everything up, while sapele adds a reddish depth that makes the pattern pop.
Choosing stable, high-quality hardwood is essential for any end grain cutting board. You want tight grain, few defects, and consistent thickness for the cleanest glue-ups.
Milling and Initial Cuts
The first step is milling all the lumber flat and square. Billy leaves a little extra thickness on each board to allow for final sanding and clean-up later.
To create the pattern, 45-degree bevels are cut into the maple and sapele pieces. Walnut strips are then cut into triangular profiles to fit into these beveled channels, forming the repeating blocks that create the illusion.
The pieces are laid out and dry-fitted to check for gaps and make sure everything lines up visually.
Gluing with Precision
Because this is an end grain board, a strong, waterproof adhesive is critical. Billy uses Titebond III for its food safety and durability.
Instead of traditional clamps, painter’s tape is used to wrap and hold each block together during glue-up. This makes minor adjustments easier and prevents over-clamping, which can shift pieces out of alignment.
After the initial glue-up, the block is flattened again using a jointer and planer to make sure the surfaces are square and ready for slicing.
Creating the Pattern
Once the block is flat, it’s sliced into strips—each one containing a row of the triangular 3D pattern. These strips are then rotated on their side to expose the end grain and reassembled in a specific sequence to build out the final illusion.
The key here is to keep track of your orientation. Rotating one strip the wrong way can break the pattern. Billy lays them all out and adjusts as needed to make sure the design flows correctly.
The pieces are glued together once more—this time face to face—forming the actual cutting board shape. Alignment is checked throughout the process, and glue is applied evenly to avoid gaps.
Final Flattening and Sanding
Once the final glue-up is dry, the board is flattened again. A drum sander is ideal for this stage, but an orbital sander will work if you’re patient and careful.
Billy takes his time to smooth all surfaces and round over the edges slightly for comfort. Any lingering glue residue is sanded off, and the end grain is polished for clarity.
The optical illusion becomes more visible with each pass. Once sanded, the different wood tones and grain directions stand out beautifully.
Applying the Finish
A food-safe finish is used to protect the board and bring out the natural color of each wood species. Billy uses butcher block oil, applying multiple coats until the board stops absorbing.
This step transforms the board visually, deepening the color and enhancing the contrast between the woods. The end grain soaks in more finish, giving the board long-lasting protection.
Final Thoughts
This cutting board is functional, durable, and a serious conversation starter. It’s not just about the pattern—it’s also a great way to improve your accuracy with joinery, layout, and finishing.
Billy walks through each step clearly, making this project approachable even if you’ve never attempted a complex cutting board before. The final product is a professional-grade board that’s perfect for your own kitchen or as a premium gift.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.