Okay, I think the answer is to give up and throw it away, but let me throw the problem to the experts. If nothing else they may have a good laugh.
About 3 months ago I decided to recycle my old cutting board. It measured about 24″ x 30″ x 1.5″ maple. I sliced it into 1.5 inch squares and glued end grain up into 12″x24″ rectangles. After a really fun time with the planer, I glued the two 12×24″ pieces together (therefore one nice 24×24 cutting board end grain up). On the table saw I angled the blade about 5 degrees and took a thin cut off all four sides (to help with wood movement). Then I put a 1″x 1.5″ band of maple around the whole thing, mitered the corners, and put two dowels through each of the mitered corners for added strength.
So, the miters are now being puled apart by the expanding wood…and there is a big space down the middle of the cutting board. Any suggestions?…other than turning the whole thing into several really heavy coasters I’m at a loss…sigh…
Replies
The main problem appears to be the banding. Even if the banding is properly attached to the board to allow movement of the board with respect to the banding the miters will ALWAYS open and close with changes in humidity. Why not just cut off the banding?
The split down the middle of the board is also most likely related to the banding. Also, when you glued up the squares did you orient the grain in the same direction? If not, the board will try to tear itself apart.
You can not band the endgrain block in a way that restricts its ability to expand and contract. Being end grain up, it will expand quite a bit in both directions.
Second, when you glue up individual blocks to make your board, you must also pay attention to the direction of the grain. You want all the grain in the end of the blocks to run in the same direction. Wood has different rates of expansion and contraction in each direction and you want everything to be running in the same direction.
Making end grain butcher blocks is tricky.
I did not have the option of orienting the the grain when I made the new cutting board. The original cutting board was made from 3/4x24x1.5" strips of maple glued together. I cut them perpendicular to the original layout...creating strips measuring 1.5x24 " and stood them on end...the grain was going every which way. It appears that one of the cubes, about four rows over from the left and three up from the bottom, decided to swell on its left side and has both caused a split(seperation actually) in the top and forced the miter joints open.
Should I just take off the banding, sand, finish the edges..and hope for the best. Is there a frame this could fit into tht would not bust apart...slip joint of some kind? thanks
If the blocks are not oriented properly, there is little chance that the chopping block will survive long term or even short term. It's just the way of wood. It will to do what it wants to do and changes in its moisture content will cause expansions and contractions.
Your best bet is to not put any more time into it. Consider that you have gained some knowledge and build one correctly next time.
Edited 7/30/2002 5:41:39 PM ET by Howie
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