This is about how to make live edge boards into epoxy resin cutting boards! But really, any boards will do. I'm using some air dried walnut and total boat epoxy with black diamond pigments to make these live edge epoxy cutting boards.
These are for sale, see below for the link if you want to buy these or my other cutting boards and for the discount code for TotalBoat epoxy!
To join the Patreon contest for the Ridgid Octane Jigsaw, head over to Patreon.com/youcanmakethistoo for more information! Contents and prizes change monthly.
ARTICLE https://ycmt2.com/epoxy-cutting-boards/
Cutting Boards for Sale! https://www.ycmt2.com/cuttingboards
DISCOUNT CODE: Epoxy: http://www.totalboat.com/product/totalboat-thickset-casting-epoxy/ 10% off with Discount code "YouCanMT2"
MATERIALS USED IN THIS PROJECT: Epoxy: https://amzn.to/2mSB96y Pigments: https://amzn.to/2mVUTpI Tuck Tape: https://amzn.to/2nz4UK1 Micromesh Pads: https://amzn.to/2nqwysj Mineral Oil: https://amzn.to/2m1F8xs
My boards were pretty rough, so I had to mill them first. I used a planer sled to get a flat face and then planed the opposite side.
After they were planed, I removed the bark, cut the boards to length, and split them down the middle. This created the two sides for each cutting board.
2. Build a mold
I used 1/2” plywood for my mold. To make sure the epoxy won’t stick to it, I wrapped the whole thing in tuck tape. Taking care to seal the corners. If there’s anywhere for the epoxy to get out, it will!
The mold was basically a bottom piece, and then side pieces screwed to the bottom piece and each other to create chambers around the boards.
3. Mix and pour epoxy
I knew I would use a lot of epoxy to do three boards, but not how much. In total I ended up mixing 64 ounces for these three boards. I started with 32 ounces, which I knew wouldn’t be enough. After the first board, I had a good idea how much epoxy I would use.
Along the way I experimented with different epoxy pigments. Changing how much pigment, mixing pigments, etc… there’s a lot of creativity to be had here!
The most important thing is to watch for leaks, and be sure to follow the epoxy mixing instructions! If the ratio is off, or if it’s not mixed well enough.. it won’t cure properly!
4. Sand and finish the boards
After the epoxy had plenty of time to cure, I removed the boards from the mold and started flattening them. I used my drum sander, but a hand sander would be fine.
It’s important to go slow, sanding builds heat which can turn the epoxy into a gummy mess and clog the paper. In hindsight, it would have been better to leave the boards and bit thick and underfill the epoxy slightly, then sand the wood to meet the epoxy - instead of sanding the epoxy down to the board.
To get the clarity back to the epoxy I used a micro mesh pad kit and wet sanded through all the grits.
Finally, the boards got a mineral oil bath! They were allowed to soak for a day, and then I wiped off the excess. #woodworking #cuttingboards #epoxy
Is the epoxy food safe? TotalBoat hasn't paid the FDA to do testing so I can't say that it's food safe. There are FDA approved epoxies available though. I do know when I look in my cabinets I see a ton of stuff made from a variety of plastics. There's mixed information available about whether or not cured epoxy generically is food safe. As far as cutting on them, I've used plastic cutting boards before. Cutting on something like this or placing food on it at all, is just like making anything or using the 5 second rule - use your judgement and decide for yourself.
Personally I probably wouldn't cut on it without doing some testing first, but I wouldn't have a problem putting fruit or cold cuts on it. Why call it a cutting board? Because nobody searches for charcuterie boards, but cutting board is a good search term.
Gold Flake
8 hours ago
Wooden table epoxy chip when cutting
Oliver Squire
9 hours ago+1
If I wanted start getting into some epoxy cheese boards etc. what would be the basic tools
Valerie Neal
23 hours ago+1
Your work is fabulous. You inspire me😊
Daft
yesterday+1
I dig your style bro! Cool product! WWG1WGA!
David Rock
yesterday+1
So without a large form-factor variable speed drum sander, what else would you recommend to knock the epoxy and wood back to flat surface after the curing process?
Cat Boy
3 days ago+1
That was fun. Awesome job!
Odee Dillon
3 days ago+2
13:28 I was about to say that half way through the video 👍👏😉
Jack Mehoff
3 days ago
lmfao $190.00 gallon of epoxy .. yup this is just a weekend warrior project. Mean while you can buy one of the nest professional cutting board on the market for the same price.
Terry Roberts
3 days ago+1
Nope you want to much for them
Patricia Keeby
4 days ago+1
Is this going to be safe for food prep?
Linda White
4 days ago+1
Awesome work
Khasab
4 days ago+1
Oh yes I can make it too I just need a workshop and a few thousands of pounds of equipment and loads of wood and the training to know what the fuck I'm doing. I can be a doctor too...
Im not trying to be rude, I am just asking a question as a beginner would worker with very little time and tools. That being said is it really necessary to give that much detail to a cutting board, especially if it is a cutting board.
YouCanMakeThisToo
2 months ago +37Is the epoxy food safe? TotalBoat hasn't paid the FDA to do testing so I can't say that it's food safe. There are FDA approved epoxies available though. I do know when I look in my cabinets I see a ton of stuff made from a variety of plastics. There's mixed information available about whether or not cured epoxy generically is food safe. As far as cutting on them, I've used plastic cutting boards before. Cutting on something like this or placing food on it at all, is just like making anything or using the 5 second rule - use your judgement and decide for yourself.
Personally I probably wouldn't cut on it without doing some testing first, but I wouldn't have a problem putting fruit or cold cuts on it. Why call it a cutting board? Because nobody searches for charcuterie boards, but cutting board is a good search term.
Gold Flake
8 hours agoWooden table epoxy chip when cutting
Oliver Squire
9 hours ago +1If I wanted start getting into some epoxy cheese boards etc. what would be the basic tools
Valerie Neal
23 hours ago +1Your work is fabulous. You inspire me😊
Daft
yesterday +1I dig your style bro! Cool product! WWG1WGA!
David Rock
yesterday +1So without a large form-factor variable speed drum sander, what else would you recommend to knock the epoxy and wood back to flat surface after the curing process?
Cat Boy
3 days ago +1That was fun. Awesome job!
Odee Dillon
3 days ago +213:28 I was about to say that half way through the video 👍👏😉
Jack Mehoff
3 days agolmfao $190.00 gallon of epoxy .. yup this is just a weekend warrior project. Mean while you can buy one of the nest professional cutting board on the market for the same price.
Terry Roberts
3 days ago +1Nope you want to much for them
Patricia Keeby
4 days ago +1Is this going to be safe for food prep?
Linda White
4 days ago +1Awesome work
Khasab
4 days ago +1Oh yes I can make it too I just need a workshop and a few thousands of pounds of equipment and loads of wood and the training to know what the fuck I'm doing. I can be a doctor too...
Lee Garrett
5 days ago +1What wood did you use for the boards?
jtNuwanda
6 days ago +1"Learned something" - check
"enjoyed this" - check
"were ... entertained" - friggin' check!
Subscribed!
Beautiful stuff, man!
jdb furniture
6 days ago +1Nice 1 ser
Margaret Dormer-Steenson
6 days ago +1How long did each sanding take?
Chris Durig
7 days ago +1Im not trying to be rude, I am just asking a question as a beginner would worker with very little time and tools. That being said is it really necessary to give that much detail to a cutting board, especially if it is a cutting board.
Alden Rogers
7 days ago +1where do you buy foodsafe epoxy?
Christopher Jomes
7 days ago +1Can you actually cut on this?