The ultimate guide to making a wooden end-grain cutting board

[@uraniumyt559]

I'm so glad you liked my cutting board design software. I haven't thought of it in years; glad to see it's still useful!

[@VioletYT]

Are you the developper of the software?

[@uraniumyt559]

@@VioletYT yes.

[@VioletYT]

@@uraniumyt559 Amazing. You should be proud! Great job!

[@TeaLoveandCare]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Steve glues up a face-grain board in the frist glue-up, however, your diagram is titled "Edge-grain board." Based on the calcuation from the line "End- or edge-grain board width: " I think the diagram should be titled "Face-grain board", yes? The width of the "edge-grain board" would be calculated based on the thickness of the source wood, but your software is calculating the width of the first board based on the width column in the table (the width that each piece is cut to), making the diagram a face-grain glue-up. Am I missing something here? Steve's turned out fine because his source width and cut-width were the same. When I tried it, however, I had a source width of 1 inch but cut each piece to 1.5 inches and the first diagram width was incorrect when I went glue it up in an "edge-grain" orientation.

[@uraniumyt559]

@@TeaLoveandCare I don't use the term "face grain", only edge or end, to be clear. What I'm calling edge, I think you're calling face. That's probably more accurate, but that's not how I wrote the software, so I'm going to stick to my way for this answer. What I'm calling width is actually the vertical dimension in the diagram; I call the horizontal dimension length, as it's longer in the sample board and in the boards I've made. Since the slices are cut vertically, that means that end and edge grain boards have the same width; it's only their length that differs, by a factor of the slice thickness divided by the edge-grain board thickness, and accounting for kerf. Does that clear things up?

[@mirameejung]

Yay! Ive been missing the ‘longer Steve’ videos!!

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

Hola Mira! There are many of us out here with you, we all love these long form, super informative, and very educational videos. Looking forward to the next one. Have a good one :D

[@WilliamGill]

Me too!

[@iansmith-windsor9739]

I think my favourite part of these videos is that he just jumps into it. No two minute long intro, no asking people to hit that notification bell, just straight into it. Saves me from having to figure out how much to skip.

[@meltingpoint97]

Most people would have recommended the software and left you to figure it out on your own, but good guy Steve goes through it step by step

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

Hola Plato! This is what make's Steve one of (if not) the best out there, in my opinion. Have a good one.

[@Michael-Makes-Stuff]

Seriously - this IS the BEST end grain cutting board video ever. Thanks, Steve! 👍🏼

[@aleksanderpepelko6778]

Agree 👍

[@tannerhart4069]

Right‽ Every other video I've seen has been like "this is a super easy project that your SO will love! [... 10 minutes later ...] ok, now just take all this over to the industrial planer I got on craigslist 20 years ago for a steal! You can do this with hand tools, if you want, but it'll add a lot of time!" Well, thanks for the video that you claimed was super easy and only required some basic tools at the top! What I got out of Steve's video is that this IS an accessible project, provided you have enough clamps ... oh that note, I need a LOT more clamps because this project looks great!

[@Michael-Makes-Stuff]

@@tannerhart4069 Amen!

[@juneritchie2498]

Ditto

[@מתןעדני-ה6ק]

true. and i saw a lot of them..

[@rjfischer2553]

18:07 some advice I needed last year SO BADLY. This is why I need this content

[@rogeranderson8763]

Packing tape for the cauls! That tip alone is a gem....it'll beat Saran Wrap all to heck. Thanks also for the design software tutorial....MUCH appreciated. -Veteran '66-68

[@jayt9882]

This is what I've missed! A good, solid, practical "how-to" do something useful - in your style! I'm not a shorts fan ;) Thank you :)

[@frosiaburlakova7732]

Yeah! I don't come here to look at Steve's shorts!

[@frosiaburlakova7732]

@Alexandro Grijalva First of all, I was joking. Second, well, never mind.

[@tokwae2877]

I prefer trousers

[@launchpadmcquack2386]

I feel like all the woodworking youtubers are avoiding buying lumber for diy videos. Lol

[@michaelwelch442]

I love wearing shorts. You’re only a pants guy?

[@wampster5698]

hands down my favorite woodworker on youtube!

[@LYTOMIZE_Woodshop]

A full length video - thanks, Steve! We missed you!!!

[@Ngry_W]

Amazing analogy using the paint brush bristles, really made sense.

[@pteddie6965]

Great job, Steve. I've watched a lot of cutting board videos and I've found most a little difficult to follow for a rookie like me. Your clear explanations made this video easy to understand. Thanks for sharing this one.

[@woodandwheelz]

I think Steve's approach to explaining projects (conscious or subconscious) is that he has never forgotten that he was a beginner once too.

[@marciano1966]

The best step-by-step video I've seen on this topic. Thank You.

[@tuesboomer1623]

This is the most understandable cutting board video of the zillions that are on YT! Until I watched this I was not inspired to make my own, nor to spend vast sums on an end grain board. Now I look forward to making my own and even at today's gold...uhm... lumber prices, it won't require a back alley loan. Can't wait to hear *that satisfying sound of a knife on end grain!

[@raffanyc855]

Wow! I really enjoy a whole video from the beginning until the end. Thanks

[@smfitzp]

This is by far the best cutting board tutorial I've seen. Thank you!

[@peterg8752]

I like this design and this video so much that I decided to make one myself. I had some maple and walnut scraps I wanted to use up. There were many imperfections in my scrap pieces (which is why they became scrap in the first place). I could tell they would not adapt well to end-grain, so I decided to go with face-grain. The result is a beautiful board that I am extremely happy with. It may not be as durable as an end-grain board, but it wasn't serving any purpose as scrap on my basement floor. In the process, I realized how Steve's approach is so easily adaptable to face, edge and end-grain depending on what you have to work with. I think Steve's video is worthy of a Golden Globe award in the woodworker's category.

[@LuisRomero-fc4gx]

You are definitely my favorite to watch on this topic. Thank you for All you do. You are much appreciated!

[@patrickduffey4344]

Steve, you're the one who got me started woodworking a few years ago now when I took the Weekend Woodworker course. Thanks for that, and thanks for breaking down end grain cutting boards and making it seem like its not such an ordeal! I think there are a few people in my life who have cutting boards in their future as gifts

[@JoshuaLinn]

This board is the most beautiful I have seen!

[@pshadyyx]

This isn't just how-to make a cutting board, this gives plenty of useful tips during the build process, before and after it! Thank you, Steve!

[@illeagle8041]

I’m 41 grew up with very little positive male roll models and spent my teens and twenty’s doing stupid things. I’ve always wanted to learn to work with wood and tools but always felt like between the money and knowledge I was too far behind. I’ve recently cleaned my shed out and started to watch your videos and a few other you tubers while acquiring the tools. Your videos are amongst the best. I am very great full for your content and have joined your Weekend Woodworker course to show my appreciation and continue on my journey. Thank you so very much!!

[@wolfganghellmann9167]

Thanks for the video Steve , I really enjoyed it and miss the longer videos

[@FlushtheSystem]

Hello, just wanted to thank you for all your videos and time you share with the community. It is greatly appreciated.

[@jeffreycasto4610]

Your videos are very helpful thanks for sharing

[@yaqoubabdulnabi86]

you inspired me to get serious with woodworking, now working in my full workshop following your course and about to start my end grain projects. Regards from Kuwait!

[@bugsdad3625]

Enjoyed the video, 54 years old and have not had time, tools or space to get back into wood working, hopefully soon. Thanks for helping keep the fire burning!

[@egbluesuede1220]

hundreds of cutting board videos are available on YT, and I've watched a ton. This is the best instructional video I've ever seen though and really appreciated the additional tips on using the web based design tool.

[@Sebastopolmark]

GREAT video/tutorial Steve. I appreciate the "nod" to baby oil. The more we save on this type of product, the more we can save for the wood. And boy do we have to SAVE to buy a piece of wood now days. Thanks again! !! !!!

[@markbooth8591]

Great to see you're doing full videos again I've really missed these ,you kept me amused during lockdown then you disappeared to the short side 😷

[@wanderingchopstick]

thank you for such an amazing step by step with explanation of end grain cutting board! can't wait to get started.

[@SheenStars]

Never in my life have I ever imagined that I would enjoy watching someone making a cutting board so much.

[@drewmedic23]

Don't forget to raise the grain! Sand, then mist the board with water before resanding; you'll notice a huge difference once you put on the mineral oil finish.

[@TonyTheTruthWhisperer]

Unfortunately, I just got to view this video 3 years since it was uploaded and undoubtedly it is the best ever on End Grain Cutting & Designing. The addition of the calculator depicting the patterns along with the downloadable software is most thoughtful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It's now time to bukld some boards.

[@jamsonjsk]

I miss video like this...love this! You just won't believe how much I enjoyed watching this! was able to draw my attention away from work and stress for 20 min and was great therapy! Next project after I finish my coffee station!

[@zacharysweeney978]

YES NEW STEVE! I'm so excited!

[@alangoldstein3350]

Thank you, Steve! This IS the BEST end-grain cutting board video ever. After making a couple of larger/thicker boards, I realized how many things could go wrong. It would be great to see a follow-up video on how to avoid (fix) problems. For example, the edge-grain board I first created was too wide for my surface planer. After hand sanding, it created dips, which showed up when gluing up the slices. Gluing up the slices ended up racking slightly, so the finished board wasn't square or flat. I'm sure there are others.

[@thehawkc]

As usual , your video was clear and informative. I've been watching your content for 6 years, thanks for being on KZbin.

[@22wexz]

As someone who professionally fabricates these for one of the best end-grain cutting board brands, I can say that this is an excellent guide on how to make your own end-grain cutting board. We have fancier machines that allow us to get tighter glue joints and some tricks we've learned over the years but this is spot on! Excellent work Steve!!

[@garrettschaefer3228]

How would you suggest getting tighter glue joints without the fancy machines?

[@chrisbrower5716]

I just want to say thanks. You make projects more doable for us newbies.

[@robbinharper9944]

You're the man Steve, can't wait for lumber prices to go down, got things to build

[@Damon_Barber]

Great video and thanks for the online resource referral!

[@davidgraham3162]

So glad to come back to this channel and see and remember why it's a favourite of mine. Great job as usual.

[@Drevid]

That you for this TIMELY video!

[@paulandersen9386]

Thanks for the longer video Steve. THIS ONE WAS GREAT!!👍👍

[@aleksanderpepelko6778]

Thanks Steve .... you have a gift to explain "complicate" things so simple ......😊👏👏👏👏👏

[@mattmartin9243]

Thanks Steve, great video. This is my first post ever. Been following your work for quite a while now. I put a hold on my woodwork because of the price of lumber but that video is exactly what I wanted for a long time and watching this reingnite my desire to start again.

[@curbshooter]

So glad to see you Steve. Hope to see you more frequently!

[@jasondowns940]

This is exactly what we were wanting!!!

[@MRrwmac]

Steve, Oldy but Goldy. Another one we need is of your Bandsaw Boxes build! Thanks!

[@jonathanlynch9587]

Steve, I absolutely love you for so many reasons.... thank you for being you, thank you for all your video throughout the pandemic, and that hair is absolutely perfect 😍.

[@bobkoss280]

Wow. Just wow! This is one awesome video. I'm new to woodworking and I want to make a cutting board for a friend for Christmas. Thank you.

[@plaxhub]

I have been watching a few cutting board videos lately... then up pops a 20 minute plus video from Steve 😊

[@biggl114]

No one does it like Steve 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Wow! I never even knew there was this much to know about making a cutting board. I have a bunch or walnut and maple scrap so I'll have to make one on my channel!

[@chriswindberg5010]

I haven't made a cutting board yet but knowing about that website makes it much more approachable!

[@josephkerkau2520]

Thank you for the information on this end grain cutting board. I appreciate it when you pass on a Lengthy KZbin. Very educational and Worth my library. Once again, thank you.

[@samspade4634]

Once again, your videos and talent bring me not only entertainment, but education as well. Thanks for sharing. Great explanation on technique.

[@blakedozier1131]

First, let me say - Nice work with good instructions. Always fun and always informative. Two other comments - First is that mineral oil can be had at WalMart for about a dollar a bottle. (Maybe more today.) Second, I sprung for the helical head on DeWalt planer and, with a following/sacrificial board on either end, I have not had any problem with tearout. Thank you for all that you do.

[@jameshopkins1919]

I wish I could triple thumbs up this vid - thanks Steve from NZ. I am very much looking forward to completing this project. :-)

[@rodpotts6317]

Steve you always make it easy to fallow. Thanks for the video.

[@rhedasommers6768]

Loved... LOVED, LOVED your video. Thank you. Easy to follow, not stupid music in the background.... easy to follow.

[@antiagonista]

Sensational video for newbies like me!

[@stephendavies7767]

Grate video and I was a chef and I use a lot of end grain blocks and I still use a pumice stone and salt the boards after washing to stop bacteria

[@henryrossouw930]

Thanks for clear explanation and WHY things/steps are done the way they are.

[@devjock]

Not gonna lie, I did a double take when I realisedf this was not the mtmwood channel :D Awesome explanation with nothing left out. You're a real gem Steve!

[@jackskelton6773]

Thank you so much;This video will help so much. It’s a keeper 👍👍👍👍👍

[@namoothewoodprojects]

Cutting board designer JS..Such an interesting program..

[@alangibb3100]

Steve very informative great to see how easy it really is to do, thank you for the video, buddy well done

[@mwrcrft]

Thanks for posting the video as I am knee deep into making cutting boards right now. I have not made one for quite a few years and certainly needed a deep refresher .

[@utube23567]

Thanks for the video. Glad to see I can make one with a planer. Going to try this

[@jscook54]

Wonderful teacher. This piece is lovely. I’m thinking it would make a great Christmas gift for my son in law.

[@biggschannel9565]

Great video. Well produced, great tips Thank you !... I've been making end grain boards for a couple years now and your advice is spot on. A couple of things I've learned for what its worth. 1) I wet my boards with a thin water mist to raise the grain before finishing, then lightly sand with 180 grit after it drys. This really helps reduce the fuzzy feel of the board after the first wash. 2) You can get a gallon of mineral oil online for less than $18. This quantity is helpful if you are making more than a few and/or letting them soak rather than hand applying 3) I melt bees wax pellets($15 for 1 lb on line) and mineral oil together for my finish. Aprox 1 to 4 ratio. I mix up a small sauce pan full and pour it into small mason jars. Low heat and gently stir in the pellets. When I gift a board, I give a small jar of the mixture to make it easier for the new owner to maintain the board.

[@Romans828girl]

I've seen other people online use a mixture of beeswax and mineral oil. What is the advantage of adding the beeswax?

[@waynekitt6770]

Steve, as usual, you have de-mystified the mystique of the cutting board. Thank you. I am a budding woodworker and have considered making a cutting board as soon as my "skills" improve up to the level I see on other channels. You, being a very good teacher and mentor, have given me the mindset that "I could totally do that!" (quoting that famous woodworker, Steve Ramsey). Thank you again.

[@duanea.detersattorneyatlaw4478]

Thank you for this video and the link to the software. Will be trying this out soon.

[@katherynlamarche7308]

Thank you Steve been doing woodworking for years ,have done furniture, bird houses, carving , small keep sake boxes ,chopping boards. Never know it all that is why I try to learn all the time from people like you and others. Julien Lamarche

[@woodworx6410]

Glad to see a new video Steve and talk about perfect timing! I just got a thickness planer and planned on making an end grain cutting board as my next project!

[@stevedigby883]

Thanks, Steve. This is a helpful video.

[@teresalynnturner781]

Thank you so much! I have been wanting to make cutting boards!

[@Forty2Studios]

Wow, what timing I'm building a shop to make cutting boards. Thank you so much on showing me the work between endgrain and edge boards you just save me so much research.

[@hardtailgang]

This definitely helped de-mystify this project for me. I've never worked with hardwoods and was afraid I'd need a planer for a project like this, but I see it's dead simple with just a table saw and orbital sander. Thanks Steve!

[@clearcut6818]

You still need a plane or a planer, the raised edges are too much for a sander.

[@blainegifford9045]

Steve I didn’t know how else to send you a thank for the recent Newsletter. It was a simple message and yet so well written it felt profound! Your passion, care and humor make a wonderful harmony for us viewers and readers. The linked testimony was genuinely inspiring. You are touching lives and that’s refreshing to me. Best wishes, Blaine.

[@johnhash6417]

Super good job of explaining! I learned a ton👍

[@gracenjuguna7292]

Enjoyed it and found it very useful! Thanks

[@justinwnichols03]

The exact amount of explanation! Very nice tutorial 👌 👍 🤙

[@vicf6509]

Love the longer format videos.

[@xxbondsxx]

Looking great Steve! awesome video

[@epeiusgarage]

Hit like before I even watched the video. Been waiting for the next video

[@jean-francoislord2917]

Great video! Love how you went through all the steps. I know what I will be giving away this Christmas!

[@cedaroakfarm8596]

Another great video, super ideas and techniques all the way through. Thanks Steve. CAA

[@trentyoung1135]

This video was timed perfectly. I just finished bookcases for my wife so now I can get back to making fun projects. I plan to go to an Amish saw mill tomorrow to pick up rough cut maple, walnut and cherry. I will kill is to size at home. Thanks for posting.

[@taljones3483]

Very informative! Especially the baby oil tip, I did not know that!!!

[@TheLovelyMissBeans]

Lovely cutting board, and it looks like a fun afternoon project. Was just talking to my husband about getting a jump on holiday gifts...everyone would love these. Here's a ckeaning tip, for really stubborn smells, rinse with cold water and try rubbing the flat of a stainless steel blade against the wood. (This also works for your hands) for things stuck on your cutting board, don't use green scratchy pads! Instead, liberally spread some coarse (kosher) salt on your board, cut a lemon in half to use as your scrub brush. If that doesn't work, use the rest of the lemon and make a Whiskey sour.

[@tomhostetter8516]

Great Video Steve! Missed the project videos ALOT! and thanks alot, now the wife wants a cutting board haha, that's what I get for streaming to the big screen 😄

[@MarceloFreitas70]

Great job! 22:27 video is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@FrenchCoastWorkshop]

I’ve seen a lot of end grain cutting board videos, and yours is truly the best one. It has a lot of great advices and tips for everyone, great job ! I’ll even recommend it to my French followers, even though it’s in English 👌

[@Segarra17]

I've seen dozens of these videos already, and Steve's are always the best. Hands down, the easiest to understand, the easiest to sit through, and by far the most enjoyable!

[@makerphin]

Love it, the most relevant video on the topic, making these complex processes easy :)

[@williamsjm100]

Fabulous, when I get my new router table I will make this as a first project, love it.

[@OmarAhmad-gm1uc]

This was educational. Thank you