Weekend Project - End Grain Cutting Board

My little sister Samantha

My baby sister (Not so baby anymore) came from Massachusetts this week and I introduced her to the wood shop. With our step mom's birthday just around the corner,  I thought it would be a perfect time to get a little shop time in and make something together! We made an end grain cutting board!

We scrounged around the shop to find two 8/4 choice cut offs of cherry and walnut and got busy! By the end of Day 1 we had everything milled, cut, and both glue ups complete (She was a great glue spreader!).  Day 2 consisted of sanding, more sanding, and finally the final round over and carving the handle with the router. Day 3 was finishing.

I chose to finish the cutting board with General Finishes "Salad bowl finish." It was perfect for the time restraints we had, and quite honestly, I think it provides the best protection possible. Overall I was impressed with the finish. It dried fairly fast and went on fool proof.

It was really a great can-do project and I would recommend anyone to check out Marc's blog over at The Wood Whisperer for more information on end grain cutting boards. Here are a couple photos.

The family loves it and I can't wait to make one for myself. Best of all, it was some great quality time I was able to spend with my sister.

Fine Furniture Build, Shaker Side Table

Shaker Side Table

I started getting into woodworking about 6 months ago. Self taught. I have spent countless hours searching the web and watching videos like – Tommy MacDonald, The Wood Whisperer, and Fine Woodworking.


Anyways. My dad has always been in love with Shaker furniture (wish I had a picture of the dining table he built) so I thought it would be appropriate to build this table as my first attempt at woodworking. This is literally it. Only thing I have build before this was a stand for my Lathe and some little keepsake boxes I gave away for Christmas.

It has been quite a humbling process and look forward to improving. I have had a hard time separating myself from the goal of perfection, errr, close to perfection. I have come to realization that I just need to make saw dust and learn along the way. The point is. The table isn't perfect, but I have learned some things along the way and I will strive to improve upon them on my next project!

Here are a few photos I took the other day. Finally finished!

If you are interesting in seeing some of the build progress photos. Click Here

The Cherry will get richer with time

A revised larger top than originally used

The Shakers really had an eye for form

Top was made from 4 pieces of book matched Cherry with a unique Bold contrast down the center

Hand cut dovetails with Quilted Maple sides

Classic pegged mortise and tenon joinery

Shaker Table Build

For my first furniture piece I decided to go for the timeless Shaker side table. Based on Christian Becksvoort's table in Fine Woodworking #210 It was a no brainer. My father has been in love with the shaker style for a long time and undoubtedly it has transferred to me . I thought it would be an appropriate first project. Here are some images of the build process. 


I apologize for the lack of iPhone image quality. This blog has been an afterthought and I plan to take quality photos of the process on consequent posts. Enjoy