How to Make an End Grain Cutting Board: A Step-by-Step Guide

5 min read

Dave

Founder - Hammock Dave

Why End Grain?

Before we dive in, let’s talk about why end grain cutting boards are a popular choice. Unlike edge grain boards, which expose the long wood fibers, end grain boards are made from the short ends of the wood. When you cut on an end grain board, your knife slides between the wood fibers, which helps keep your knives sharper for longer. Additionally, end grain boards tend to "self-heal," with the fibers closing back up after use.

Materials You’ll Need:

Hardwood of your choice (maple, walnut, cherry, etc.)
Wood glue (make sure it's food-safe)
Clamps
Table saw or miter saw
Planer or hand planer
Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grit)
Mineral oil (food-safe)
Beeswax (optional)

Step 1: Choose Your Wood

End grain cutting boards are typically made from hardwoods due to their durability. Some of the best woods to use include:

Maple: Light and durable
Walnut: Dark and rich in color
Cherry: Beautiful reddish hue

You can mix and match woods to create interesting patterns and contrast. Ensure your wood is kiln-dried and free of any defects, like knots or cracks.

Step 2: Cut Your Wood

To start, cut your wood into uniform strips. The width of these strips will determine the thickness of your final cutting board. A good starting thickness is about 1.5" to 2". You can make the strips anywhere between 1" to 2" wide, depending on your design.

Step 3: Glue and Clamp the First Layer

Arrange the wood strips into the desired pattern (alternating colors if using multiple types of wood). Apply a liberal amount of wood glue to the edges of each strip and clamp them tightly together. Be sure to wipe away any excess glue and allow the board to dry completely, typically for at least 12 hours.

Step 4: Plane and Sand

Once the glue is dry, remove the clamps. Now it’s time to smooth the board using a planer or hand planer. This will ensure a flat surface and remove any glue residue. If you don’t have a planer, you can sand the surface flat using coarse sandpaper (start with 80 grit).

Step 5: Cross-Cut the Board

Here’s where the magic of end grain comes in! Using a table saw or miter saw, cross-cut the glued-up board into even strips. These strips will now expose the end grain, which will become the surface of your cutting board.

Step 6: Rotate and Reassemble

Flip each strip so that the end grain is facing up, and then reassemble the strips into your desired pattern. This is where you can get creative! Whether you prefer a checkerboard look or a random arrangement, the choice is yours.

Once you have the design you want, repeat the gluing and clamping process to form the final board. Make sure the glue is spread evenly and clamp tightly. Let this dry for another 12 hours.

Step 7: Final Planing and Sanding

After the glue is dry again, it’s time to smooth out your board.

A very hot topic is whether or not it is safe to run the and-grain through the planer. It is NOT safe. The blades can catch the edge of the cuts and essentially blow up your planer, and potentially do some major damage to you... (yes, even death).

The best option I've seen is actually creating a router sled to surface the board and level out high/low spots. Having a CNC can help as well, but in all honesty the time it takes to set up a project on a CNC takes longer than just throwing a router on rails, set the depth and make a few passes.

Follow this with thorough sanding, moving from coarse (80 grit) to fine (220 grit) sandpaper. Make sure the board is smooth and free of any rough edges or splinters.

Step 8: Add Chamfers (Optional)

To give your cutting board a professional look, you can add a chamfer or rounded edge to the sides using a router. This step is optional but can enhance the look and feel of the board.

Step 9: Finish with Mineral Oil

The final step in making your end grain cutting board is applying a finish. Coat your board generously with food-safe mineral oil. Allow the oil to soak in, and repeat this process until the wood stops absorbing the oil. For an added layer of protection and shine, you can also apply a beeswax and mineral oil mixture.

Step 10: Maintenance

Once your board is complete, maintaining it is key. Reapply mineral oil regularly (every few weeks) to keep the wood hydrated and prevent cracking. Hand wash your board with mild soap and water—never submerge it in water or put it in the dishwasher, as this can cause warping.

Conclusion

Making an end grain cutting board is a satisfying project that leaves you with a practical, long-lasting kitchen tool. Not only do you get to customize your own pattern and design, but you’ll also create a cutting board that is gentle on your knives and built to withstand years of use.

Ready to start crafting your own? With a few tools, some high-quality wood, and a little patience, you can create a stunning end grain cutting board that’s both beautiful and functional. Happy woodworking!

If you want to make the design process easier, check out our End Grain Cutting Board Calculator! Input your wood types and row lengths, and we’ll help you generate a custom pattern along with instructions to bring your cutting board design to life.