4.1: Cutting Board Project Overview
- Page ID
- 67179
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\ket}[1]{\left| #1 \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\bra}[1]{\left< #1 \right|}\)
\(\newcommand{\braket}[2]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2} \right| \left. #2 \vphantom{#1} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\braopket}[3]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2}\vphantom{#3} \right| #2 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#3} \left| #3 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#2} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\qmvec}[1]{\mathbf{\vec{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\op}[1]{\hat{\mathbf{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\expect}[1]{\langle #1 \rangle}\)
\(\newcommand{\dfn}[1]{\emph{\textbf{#1}}}\)
4.1 Cutting Board Project Overview
Your first major project in WMT 101 is a solid-wood cutting board made from a single piece of hardwood.
The project introduces many of the skills you will use throughout woodworking: selecting lumber, reading grain, milling rough stock, measuring, laying out a design, cutting curves, shaping edges, sanding, and applying a finish.
This is also a design project. You will work within a set of requirements, but the final shape is up to you.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this project, you should be able to:
- Select an appropriate piece of hardwood.
- Mill rough lumber to a controlled thickness and size.
- Develop and refine a cutting-board design.
- Lay out curves and an interior handle opening.
- Safely cut and shape a solid-wood workpiece.
- Refine a form using files, rasps, spokeshaves, and abrasives.
- Sand a project through 320 grit.
- Apply a food-safe oil finish.
Project Requirements
Your cutting board must:
- Be made from one solid piece of hardwood.
- Not exceed 18 inches long × 9 inches wide.
- Finish between 1/2 inch and 7/8 inch thick.
- Include a handle or interior opening made using the drill press, jig saw, or a combination of the two.
- Use no more than two straight lines in the overall design.
- Be sanded through 320 grit.
- Be finished with a food-safe oil finish.
The goal is not simply to produce a rectangular board with rounded corners. Use the project as an opportunity to think about proportion, curves, transitions, and how the board feels in your hands.
Hard Lines and Soft Lines
As you develop your design, consider the difference between hard and soft lines.
A hard line changes direction clearly or abruptly.
A soft line flows gradually from one curve or direction into another.
Using both can give a simple object more visual interest.
Pay particular attention to the transition between the main body of the cutting board and the handle. A smooth transition usually looks and feels more intentional than several unrelated curves joined together.
Design Before Cutting
Do not commit to your final hardwood immediately.
Sketch several possibilities first.
As you develop the shape, consider:
- How will the board be held?
- Is the handle comfortable?
- Is there enough material around the handle opening to remain strong?
- Do the curves flow into each other?
- Does the board have a clear front, back, or direction?
- Does the grain complement the shape?
- Will the design be practical to cut and sand?
A good design usually becomes clearer through several small revisions rather than one complicated first attempt.
Design Inspiration
For examples of how a simple cutting board can become a carefully considered object, look at the work of furniture maker Edward Wohl.
Use examples as inspiration for proportion, curves, and restraint—not as patterns to copy directly.
Materials
You will need:
- One piece of hardwood large enough for your design.
- Food-safe oil finish.
Hardwood is available through the CSAW Lumber Room. Ask an instructor, instructional aide, or embedded tutor if you need help selecting or purchasing material.
Check Yourself
- Why is the cutting board made from one solid piece of wood?
- What are the maximum length and width?
- What is the allowable finished-thickness range?
- What feature must be included in the design?
- How many straight lines may the design contain?