filling cracks in a cutting board what do u use ?

[stitan06]

so i decided to make a end grain butcher block cutting board the prob is some of the wood i used was not straight and when i glued together i got some small gaps what do the guys that do wood working use to fill something like this ?

 

[OHMS LAW]

I have seen bees wax used. I wouldn't use anything stronger than that since your food would be on it.

 

[Norcal]

I am not sure there is anything that would be food safe to use as a filler on a wooden cutting board, but then again there are the food safety Nazi's who say one should not even use wooden cutting boards.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Epoxy.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/21850

 

[stitan06]

im gonna try the epoxy idea never thought of that thanks

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

ditto on epoxy

 

[brownbagg]

the epoxy will get into your food, just leave the cracks, its a cutting board

 

[rlitman]

I am not sure there is anything that would be food safe to use as a filler on a wooden cutting board, but then again there are the food safety Nazi's who say one should not even use wooden cutting boards.

I'm a food safety nut, and I know well that wood cutting boards have the potential to be more sanitary than plastic.

If it were me, the first thing I'd try to do, would be to swell the wood gaps shut.
Pour some hot salty water into them.

 

[Nowater]

Cut through the cracks to make a saw kerf. Re glue the boards together. Your option, add another board of contrasting color.

 

[Steroblan]

It depends on how big the cracks are. You don't want them to fill up with food. Get the epoxy made for wood floors. Don't use epoxy for metal (JB Weld or similar). The epoxy won't be much worse than the glue will it?

 

[rsanter]

what glue did you use in the original glue up?
I would use some of the same glue, mix as a paste with sawdust and fill the cracks with that and then sand

bob

 

[johno]

what glue did you use in the original glue up?
I would use some of the same glue, mix as a paste with sawdust and fill the cracks with that and then sand

bob

That's what I would do^^^^ depending what kind of glue you used.

 

[spongerich]

Slightly off topic, but when you're ready to finish this, I'd highly recommend the Bally Block "Good Stuff".

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Good-Stuff-Wood-Finish-For-Maple-Tops-1-qt-/H2372

I've used it on several projects and it's....well... good stuff.

 

[KenC]

IMO, the best, easiest and fastest fix is to just cut the board apart at the crack and reglue. It should fit back together at the cut perfectly, if you are using an appropriate blade.

 

[Richard D]

Asphalt.