8×12 edge-grain cutting board

An 8-by-12-inch cutting board from 11 hardwood strips glued on edge, 1½″ thick.

IntermediateHalf a day11 parts1× board
1×2 · 1½″ × 96″1×2 · 1½″ × 96″

Cutting diagram

1×2 · 1½″ × 96″AAAAAAA1×2 · 1½″ × 96″AAAA

Bright pieces are your parts; the dimmed wood is left over. Every cut allows ⅛″ for the saw blade.

Cut list

PartQtyWidth × lengthCut from
AStrip111½″ × 12″38 × 305 mm1× board

How to build it

  1. Rip hardwood into 11 strips 1½″ wide and crosscut them to 12″. Alternate species for a striped look.
  2. Turn each strip on its edge so the ¾″ face becomes the top, and arrange them 8″ wide.
  3. Glue the long faces and clamp across the width, alternating clamps above and below to keep it flat.
  4. After a day, scrape off the dried glue and sand the board flat, starting at 80 grit.
  5. Trim the ends square, round the edges, and oil it generously.