This project was built and designed by Mark from Gunflint Designs. It’s a clever way to turn leftover wood scraps into stylish, functional bottle opener boards that make great gifts or additions to your kitchen or bar.
These boards feature built-in magnets that catch falling caps as you open bottles—blending utility with visual appeal. The project is straightforward, but Mark includes thoughtful details that make it a rewarding and repeatable build.
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Turning Scraps into Something Useful
Most woodworkers have a pile of offcuts too good to toss but not quite big enough for major projects. Mark’s approach puts those scraps to work by combining them into a compact board that’s both attractive and useful.
He uses leftover pieces from failed cutting boards and chessboards—anything with interesting grain or contrast. These mismatched remnants are glued up into a small blank, typically around 4 by 7 inches, providing just enough space for the opener, hardware, and magnets.
Gluing and Flattening the Board
After selecting the scraps, Mark glues them edge to edge and clamps them together tightly. The small size of the project allows for efficient use of available clamps, even if you don’t have a large shop setup.
Once the glue dries, he flattens one face using a jointer. This creates a stable base to work from and ensures that the board sits flat when hung or set on a counter.
Bandsaw Trimming and Smoothing
With one face jointed, the opposite side is trimmed roughly on the bandsaw. This step removes excess material quickly and makes it easier to get to final dimensions during sanding.
The board is then run through a drum sander, which is especially helpful when working with end grain pieces. A planer might be too aggressive here, so the drum sander keeps things smooth and safe.
Routing for the Magnets
The key feature of this build is the use of hidden magnets that catch bottle caps as they fall. Mark uses half-inch bar magnets for their strong holding power and wider surface area.
He begins by marking the magnet placement, then centers a router bit and adjusts the cutting depth. Pilot holes are drilled to reduce the chance of splitting, and smaller magnets can be added around the main ones for additional strength.
Once everything is drilled, he mixes up a small batch of epoxy to lock the magnets in place. Care is taken to avoid excess epoxy spilling into the routed pockets, ensuring a clean final fit.
Sanding the Edges and Rounding the Corners
With the magnets secured, Mark sands the edges and rounds the corners to give the board a clean, finished shape. A palm sander helps even out the front face, especially where different wood types meet in the glue-up.
The back of the board is lightly cleaned up but left mostly unfinished. This is where a cork backing will be applied later to protect surfaces and add grip.
Adding the Cork Backing
For a professional look and practical function, Mark applies self-adhesive cork sheets to the back of the board. These are cut to shape using a fresh blade to avoid tearing, and paste wax is added to the blade to help it glide more smoothly.
This layer of cork protects countertops or refrigerator doors from scratches and adds a subtle cushion for mounting.
Applying the Finish and Mounting Hardware
After sanding, Mark applies a finish—usually tongue oil, but sometimes lacquer for extra durability. The oil enhances the grain and gives the board a soft sheen while protecting the surface.
Once dry, the final step is attaching the metal bottle opener to the top of the board. Depending on the design, these can be surface-mounted with screws or inset slightly for a more custom look.
Final Testing and Satisfaction
Before wrapping up the project, Mark always tests the opener to make sure it functions properly. It’s satisfying to see the magnet catch the cap cleanly—it confirms that the design works as intended and gives the build a nice finishing moment.
These boards are a great way to reuse wood and produce something that people will actually use. They’re especially popular as gifts or items to sell at local markets or online.
A Quick, Creative, and Practical Build
This project proves that even small scraps can be turned into something impressive with a little creativity and planning. The magnetic bottle opener board is easy to batch out, simple to customize, and delivers a surprising amount of value from minimal materials.
Whether you’re making them for your home bar, gifting them to friends, or selling them locally, this is a satisfying and profitable build. Plus, it’s a fun way to clear out your scrap bin without compromising on quality.
You can see all of Mark’s plans here: https://www.gunflintdesigns.com/project-plans.