This project was built and designed by Billy from Newton Makes. It’s a beautifully crafted houndstooth end grain cutting board that blends visual complexity with long-lasting functionality, using contrasting hardwoods for a standout result.
Billy walks through each step of the build, from wood selection to finish, showing how precision and planning bring this classic pattern to life. For woodworkers looking to challenge themselves with detailed alignment and tight joinery, this is a project worth trying.
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A Closer Look at the Houndstooth Pattern
The houndstooth pattern is known for its jagged checks, typically seen in textiles. In this cutting board, Billy recreates the look by carefully pairing light oak with dark walnut.
The entire design depends on precise arrangement. Any misalignment in the layout will throw off the pattern, so early planning and attention to detail are critical throughout the build.
Milling and Preparing the Lumber
The project starts with selecting high-quality oak and walnut boards. These hardwoods not only provide contrast in color but also deliver durability—important qualities for a long-lasting cutting surface.
Each board is milled to ensure flat, even faces and consistent thickness. After milling, the boards are ripped into uniform strips, which sets the stage for later pattern work. Any discrepancies in this step would impact the final alignment, so accuracy is key.
Cutting for Angled Stripes
With the strips prepped, Billy tilts the table saw blade to 45 degrees. This angle is used to cut the strips into parallelogram shapes that will ultimately form the visual “teeth” of the houndstooth.
After those cuts are completed, the blade is returned to 90 degrees to trim any excess and square up the edges. The result is a clean set of angled pieces that line up perfectly during glue-up.
Layering the Pattern in Panels
To make assembly more manageable, Billy breaks the project into two separate panels. One includes alternating oak and stripe pieces, while the other pairs walnut with the same stripe configuration.
This two-panel method helps maintain orientation and reduces mistakes during glue-up. It also allows each panel to cure flat before they’re joined, minimizing the risk of warping or misalignment later in the process.
A homemade jig made from particle board helps keep the strips aligned while clamping. This added stability during glue-up is especially helpful for complex patterns like this one.
Flattening the Surface
After the glue dries, flattening the cutting board becomes the next challenge. A CNC machine simplifies this process by surfacing both sides quickly and accurately.
For those without a CNC, a router sled can be used to achieve the same result. The goal is to remove any uneven spots and create a smooth, level surface that’s ready for sanding and finish.
Sanding and Finish Prep
Once the board is flat, Billy sands the surface to remove tool marks and prep it for finishing. Sanding an end grain board takes more time than face grain, but it’s worth the effort to get a clean, smooth surface.
A two-step finish is applied to protect the board and highlight the wood grain. The first step uses a thinned-out salad bowl finish, which penetrates deep into the end grain to add water resistance.
After that cures, a second coat made from an oil and wax blend is applied to the surface. This final layer provides added protection and gives the board a rich, natural sheen.
The Finished Cutting Board
Once complete, the cutting board reveals a crisp houndstooth pattern with a bold contrast between oak and walnut. The clean alignment and tight joints give the board a high-end appearance that stands out in any kitchen.
This isn’t just a good-looking piece—it’s also durable and designed for daily use. End grain boards are easier on knives and can withstand years of chopping, slicing, and cleaning.
A Project Worth Tackling
Billy describes this as a bucket list build, and it’s easy to see why. It combines visual appeal with a strong woodworking challenge, especially when it comes to alignment and cutting accuracy.
For woodworkers ready to push themselves a bit further, this project is a rewarding way to learn new techniques and improve layout skills. Plus, the end result is a showpiece that’s just as practical as it is beautiful.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
End grain cutting boards are some of the most rewarding projects in the shop, but they demand respect when it comes to precision. The houndstooth pattern takes that challenge up a notch — every cut and every glue-up needs to be spot-on, or the visual effect falls apart quickly. It’s the kind of project that teaches you to slow down and double-check your measurements before making cuts.
That 45-degree blade setup is crucial for getting clean parallelogram pieces. I always make sure to use a quality crosscut blade and take light passes rather than forcing heavy cuts through hardwood. Oak and walnut are both fairly dense, so rushing through those angled cuts can lead to tearout or slightly off angles that compound as you build the pattern.
The two-panel approach Billy uses is smart — it breaks down what could be an overwhelming glue-up into manageable chunks. When you’re working with this many pieces, having a solid clamping strategy and that particle board jig makes all the difference. End grain boards can be tricky to keep flat during assembly, so anything that helps maintain alignment is worth the extra setup time.
For the finish, that two-step process really makes sense on end grain. The wood fibers are more exposed, so they’ll soak up that first thinned coat like a sponge. It’s tempting to skip that step, but the water resistance you gain is essential for a cutting board that’ll see daily use.