This project was built and designed by Billy from Newton Makes. It’s a comprehensive and thoughtful walkthrough for building a cutting board that not only looks great but stands up to daily use.
Whether you’re a beginner in the shop or refining your skills, this guide shows how to avoid the most common mistakes and turn simple materials into a polished, professional-quality board.
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Choosing Between End Grain and Face Grain
Before the sawdust starts flying, Billy walks through an important decision: choosing the right type of cutting board. End grain boards are more durable and forgiving with knife marks, while face grain boards are quicker to build and show off natural wood grain beautifully.
While end grain takes more time and effort, it’s often worth it for its aesthetics and long-term resilience. Face grain boards, on the other hand, are simpler and ideal for quick gifts or first-time builds.
Getting the Size and Proportions Right
Dimensions matter—not just for looks, but also for practicality. Billy recommends using the golden ratio (1:1.618) as a design guide to ensure the board’s proportions are visually appealing.
The pattern you choose may influence your size decisions. Billy suggests finalizing your pattern first, then adjusting width and length accordingly to support the visual layout and ease of cutting.
Designing Your Cutting Board Pattern
Whether you prefer geometric shapes or more organic styles, pattern selection plays a big role in the final look. Billy encourages sketching out ideas first, and then using free digital tools like Inkscape to refine them.
Keeping uniform dimensions across pattern elements can simplify your milling and reduce tool setup changes. A bit of planning upfront saves time throughout the rest of the build.
Milling and Preparing the Lumber
Once the layout is dialed in, it’s time to mill your boards flat and cut them to size. This step is critical for stability—warped or twisted boards will make glue-up frustrating and lead to an uneven surface.
After initial milling, Billy recommends letting the boards rest for a day or two in the shop environment. This helps the wood acclimate and reduces the risk of movement after glue-up.
Paying Attention to Grain Direction
Grain direction affects both strength and aesthetics. Alternating grain direction can add visual interest, but it’s important to mark your boards beforehand to make sure the pattern flows correctly.
Thinking ahead at this stage prevents alignment issues later and ensures a clean, cohesive final look.
Assembling With the Right Glue and Thickness
During glue-up, using a waterproof wood glue is essential for food-safe durability. Billy cuts his strips slightly thicker than the intended final thickness, which gives room for sanding and flattening after glue-up.
This method ensures you won’t sand away too much and end up with a board that feels flimsy or undersized.
Flattening the Surface
After the glue has dried, the board needs to be flattened. Billy discusses several methods—planer, router sled, or sanding—depending on the tools available.
A completely flat surface is key not just for looks, but also for usability. Uneven boards rock during use, so don’t rush this step.
Dialing In the Final Thickness
The final thickness depends on personal preference, but Billy suggests keeping enough material for strength without making the board too heavy. Starting with slightly over-thickness stock gives some breathing room.
Careful measurement and incremental sanding help avoid overshooting your target size.
Ensuring Straight Cuts and Clean Lines
A crosscut sled helps keep cuts square and clean. For slight adjustments, paper shims can help keep the board aligned without shifting the pattern.
This small detail helps keep your design symmetrical and your board looking balanced from every angle.
Sanding for a Smooth Finish
Sanding is one of the most time-consuming but rewarding parts of the project. Start with a coarse grit and work your way up gradually.
Billy uses a pencil to mark the surface before sanding—this helps identify low spots and uneven areas. A firm sanding pad also helps keep everything flat and prevents rounding over edges unintentionally.
Applying a Food-Safe Finish
Once the sanding is complete, it’s time to bring out the grain with a finish. Billy recommends applying a butcher block oil and following it up with a wax-based finish for protection and sheen.
Soaking in mineral oil is an option, but can sometimes leave excess residue. A thinner application of oil, thoroughly buffed, provides great results and less mess.
Adding Functional Details
A small chamfer on the bottom edges can make the board easier to lift. Adding rubber feet is optional but can provide grip and protect countertops.
Little details like these take a project from functional to polished—and they’re quick upgrades to add before calling the project complete.
A Cutting Board That Stands Out
Billy’s approach blends precision with practical advice, making this a standout guide for anyone building their first or fiftieth cutting board. The focus on grain direction, pattern planning, and finishing elevates what could be a simple project into something truly refined.
Following these techniques ensures your cutting board will not only look great but hold up to daily use in the kitchen.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.