end grain cutting board with end grain inlay.

I have been waning to try this for a long time. I had some free time and some scrap so I went for it. it is a lot of time as you end up making 4 cutting boards two flat grain then cut it up and glue it up to make them end grain. the inlay with a thinner board about 1" a cutting board from Ikea that I cut up and regulated. I wanted more contrast but I did not have any more scraps. I used a 7 degree tapered endmill to make the inlay parts and they are 3/4" thick. I used the machine to flatten the boards then remove the excess inlay. but man I have a friend who makes a living making cutting boards and he is wise and pays the big guys to sand all the faces with a wide belt sander/planer. way too much effort to sand it if I wanted to make any money.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...psi3euzmvk.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4rlowe4s.jpg

Very nice Steve!!

I can't wait for a few days I can do some "playing" with my CNC. It seems to be cutting something for a customer or I'm working elsewhere in the shop and can't play with the CNC.

I use my wide drum sander but have to be careful I don't burn the paper with the end grain. I use my oscillating edge sander to do the edges. Makes for shorter, and easier, work.

yes I glued this all up while the machine was busy. I never have anything to do while the machine is running. so I only needed to flatten it then inlay it on the machine.
I borrowed a rotel sander to take care of it but if I do more I will have my buddy who makes cutting boards for a living take it to the big guys to sand.

They look very nice my cutoff scraps are piling up I make boards with them though not as nice as those.

Nice work Steve.

it is not that hard just lost of work. easier then fancy patterns. now I need to abuse it to see how it holds up.

How does end grain machine? Haven't tried it yet, but am curious.

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Originally Posted by KLWestfall

How does end grain machine? Haven't tried it yet, but am curious.

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I process end grain from time to time..

With sharp tools it machines well. No different really than face or edge grain. I even dress slabs through my 20" planer with carbide knives.

Wide belt sander is definitely the way to go regarding sanding.

Nice inlays on those boards , I've got to try that soon. I've done a few end grain boards , with sacrificial ends glued on I have run them through my planer but prefer the drum sander , 80 grit will take them down level pretty quick . End grain machines pretty good with sharp bits as has been already said , I usually machine in finger holds on board ends and get pretty clean results .

http://i.imgur.com/zM2RefA.jpg?2

machining is easy but sanding sucks. I borrowed a friends rotel sander but it was still a lot of work. and all the sanding in the world goes away after the board gets wet a few times.