In the video “How to Make Epoxy Cutting Boards,” Caleb from “You Can Make This Too” demonstrates the process of creating epoxy cutting boards, a timely project with the holiday season approaching. He also mentions that these cutting boards, along with other types, are available for sale on his website and introduces a Patreon contest prize.
Caleb starts by addressing a challenge: his jointer is out of commission, and the wood he’s using is twisted. He improvises with a planer sled to flatten the boards, using a large flat board and scrap sticks with hot glue to stabilize the wood during the planing process. After achieving a flat surface on one side, he flips the boards to plane the other side, ensuring both faces are flat.
He then moves on to removing the bark from the wood, using a draw knife for efficiency, although he notes that other tools like a chisel can also be effective. The goal is to prevent potential breakage due to weak bark attachment.
Caleb measures and marks the boards, preparing them for cutting into sections that will become individual cutting boards. He uses a jigsaw to minimize the risk of binding or kickback, given the internal tensions within the wood.
For the epoxy work, Caleb creates a mold setup using plywood and duct tape to prevent sticking, dividing the space into compartments for each board. He emphasizes the importance of sealing all joints with tape to prevent leaks. Using TotalBoat ThickSet epoxy, he mixes and pours the epoxy into the molds, adding pigments for coloration and aiming for a translucent effect rather than opaque.
After the epoxy cures, Caleb demolds the boards, sands down any overfill, and trims the boards to their final size. He adds a chamfer edge treatment using a router table and finishes the boards with mineral oil, highlighting the transformation and the beauty of the finished product.
The video is both educational and engaging, offering viewers a detailed guide to making their own epoxy cutting boards while showcasing Caleb’s craftsmanship and problem-solving skills in woodworking.
Watch the full video here to learn more about making epoxy cutting boards with Caleb.