Wood Cutting Boards

[Paulski]

I have a wood cutting board that slides into a slot in the kitchen cabinets. The end sticking out is milled to match the cabinets/kitchen theme, so I would like to keep the handle portion that sticks out of the cabinet, but the actually cutting section has seen better days. I was thinking of replacing the cutting section with HDPE plastic cutting board material (I was overruled on replacing with another piece of wood), and am looking for ways to attach it:

1 - cut off the cutting board section and cut a tongue and groove into the handle, get a piece of 3/4" HDPE cutting board and match the T/G. I have never glued HDPE so not sure if glue would hold the 2 materials together. Also thinking I can counter sink screws or dowel pins from under neither the T/G joint so the HDPE can't pull out of the T/G joint. good idea/bad idea?

2 - plane down the wood cutting section 1/4" and glue on a piece of 1/4" HDPE, basically a veneer HDPE on the cutting board. Same issue though, what glue will hold the 2 together that would stand up to chopping and be food safe?

 

[RMERR]

I like the tongue and groove idea with the screws on the underside to anchor it. HDPE is tricky to glue, but there are plastic and specialty glues out there. They will glue HDPE to itself, not sure about wood. My hunch is it would hold just fine. Tap plastics makes a glue just for HDPE, haven't tried it though. Looks pretty strong though.

https://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/adhesives_glues_sealants/tap_poly_weld_adhesive/435?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz_e7_ZScgwMVwM_CBB1NqArdEAQYCCABEgJWv_D_BwE

Also 3M

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/00050195?cid=ppc-google-&mkwid=%7Cdc&pcrid=&rd=k&product_id=00050195&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz_e7_ZScgwMVwM_CBB1NqArdEAQYByABEgLTfPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[manwithtools]

Can you route out a 3/8" deep recess for the entirety of the HDPE to sit in. It's a lot of routing, but you could build a sled to do it. I worry about the HDPE gluing to wood in a manner that keeps nasties out of the joint. With the recessed approach the HDPE could be removed to clean the joining surfaces. Just a thought, if appropriate glue is not available.

 

[LopezBart]

I'd definitely go with the T&G idea. I'd use visible brass barrel nuts in through-holes in the wood handle and transecting the HDPE board, retained by a countersunk screw coming in from the ends of the handle.... Readily replaceable, as HDPE boards don't last forever either.

 

[Spareparts]

Cut 2 strips of the wood, screw 1 to the HDPE and the other glued to the first piece of wood

 

[rlitman]

I would slice an inch or so off the front face of the old cutting board, to maintain the look. Then make an entirely new cutting board out of HDPE, made to **** up to that slice. I'd use a dry biscuit joint instead of a tongue and groove, and use a couple of pocket hole screws in the underside to hold it together.

Want to get creative? Use machine screws in the pocket holes that pull into threaded inserts for easy disassembly for cleaning. Or use plastic click together biscuits (or maybe even metal ones).

 

[slowtwitch73]

Pending how much meat is still on it, I just pass them through the planer to re surface.

 

[no704]

Dovetail joint.

 

[rlitman]

Dovetail joint.

Ooh, I like that. A single sliding dovetail that lets you slip the HDPE off the wood face for complete cleaning.

 

[Paulski]

Ooh, I like that. A single sliding dovetail that lets you slip the HDPE off the wood face for complete cleaning.

me to, would you still put screws through the bottom to keep it from sliding off? or is there an easier fastener to quick realize it for cleaning, but wont let it slide out during use, or machine it tight fitting so it takes a little force to slide together?

 

[Paulski]

I'd definitely go with the T&G idea. I'd use visible brass barrel nuts in through-holes in the wood handle and transecting the HDPE board, retained by a countersunk screw coming in from the ends of the handle.... Readily replaceable, as HDPE boards don't last forever either.

I like those barrel nuts, it would go with the mid century theme

 

[The Cobbler]

I would like to keep the handle portion that sticks out of the cabinet,

how is it attached currently ? I've seen screws, nails, various attaching methods.

 

[Paulski]

how is it attached currently ? I've seen screws, nails, various attaching methods.

Glue I think, I do not see and nails, screws, etc