End grain chopping block?????

[DaveO]

I got some mistery "scrap" wood yesterday from a very generous member. I made this chopping block out of it. Any idea as to what kind of wood it might be? It is very hard, chips out pretty easy, heavy, kinda olive-green in color, no distinct or unique smell. And another question, what else should I do to this block? I plan to put rubber feet on the bottom and mineral oil it. Thanks for y'alls comments:-D

Thanks for looking! Dave

 

[Travis Porter]

You really didn't waste any time. Unfortunately, I never got to go back out to the shop last night.

That looks excellent. I like the pattern in it as well. What you going to coat it with?

 

[DaveO]

I'll just soak it with mineral oil. That's what I do with all my boards so there is no problem with them being used. And mineral oil is cheap!
Dave

 

[Big Mike]

It sorta looks like beech. I would bathe it in mineral oil until it can take no more. One thing about cutting boards, if you put feet on them then the person using them has no choice of which side to use. If you don't put feet on it then they can have a good side and a work side for display purposes.

 

[Travis Porter]

It could be. It was an offcut from a butcher block counter top, and that would be a good wood for a butcher block (I think).

 

[DaveO]

Y'alls guesses are as good as mine. I had originally thought teak, but that was because I thought it was an exotic. I've never seen beech, but I would guess it's a very hard wood.

Big Mike, leaving the feet off is a good idea, but I have already routed an edge profile to make it easier to pick-up from the bottom. Plus I like the non-slip aspect of the rubber feet (they are clear, and easily removed if someone so chooses).
Dave

 

[D L Ames]

Another great looking project there Dave. Not a clue as to what type of wood it is though. How large was the scrap you started with and was some of it already laminated before you cut your strips?

D L

 

[DaveO]

DL, I started with a already laminated blank that was left over from a kitchen counter. It was about 18" x 18". I cross cut the pieces and flipped them and glued them back together. Very easy, only took an hour or so.
I wish I could find out what type of wood it is. After looking into Beech more I don't think it is that. Hopefully there will be some more ideas.
Dave

 

[MarkW]

No idea what the wood is, but you sure did a great job on it !

 

[D L Ames]

DL, I started with a already laminated blank that was left over from a kitchen counter. It was about 18" x 18". I cross cut the pieces and flipped them and glued them back together. Very easy, only took an hour or so.
I wish I could find out what type of wood it is. After looking into Beech more I don't think it is that. Hopefully there will be some more ideas.
Dave

Dave, that technique reminds me of how we made chess boards in my Jr High School shop class out of Walnut and Maple. I must admit though........your cutting board looks a lot better than I recall my chess board looking.:lol:

D L

 

[cskipper]

Very sharp!

 

[DavidF]

Nice one Dave - Beech is the wood of choice in Europe for Butchers blocks and it looks similar to the one I made which was in beech.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/gallery/browseimages.php?c=248

 

[DaveO]

Thanks David! You block looks like the pictures of Beech I've seen and the descriptions of it also. Mine doesn't have the reddish color that I've seen in Beech. With mineral oil it became a very dark brown. And the growth ring pattern points me towards some of the exotics I've seen, it is also quite porus????
Still a mystery to me.
Dave

 

[DavidF]

I have a microscope and have done some wood id'ing in the past. Can you get me a sample showing the end grain. If that doesn't do it I can shave it down and look at the cell structure see if we can't identify it.

 

[Monty]

I have a microscope and have done some wood id'ing in the past. Can you get me a sample showing the end grain. If that doesn't do it I can shave it down and look at the cell structure see if we can't identify it.

Yea, yea!!!! Good idea!!!! I like where you're going with this!!! Of course, just a little sample won't do... you will, of course, need to take a look at the whole stack - you know, whatever is left over!!! :jealous:


:lol:

 

[DaveO]

David that's funny that is exactly what my buddy with a degree in forestry said to do. I do have some small off cuts that would be great to see the cell structure in. I'll try to remember to bring one the next time I see you. Do you know of any on-line resources that could help with the identification?

Dave

 

[Big Mike]

Dave, the more I look at it the more I think I might be wrong about the beech so I will offer a second guess which is probably wrong as well. But I was in the shop and I looked at some offcuts from some teak and they look remarkably like the wood in your board.

So I officially change my SWAG to teak. If I'm right will you send it to me for a prize? :lol: I didn't think so......:-(

 

[DaveO]

Big Mike, Teak was my first guess. I have never worked with it so I have no real experience. I was told the guy who got it from a guy thought it was an exotic. I would love to give you the board if you are right BUT my wife just told me that my cousin is getting married this spring and she needs a wedding gift....that's the great thing about woodworking I never have to buy gifts:eusa_danc :eusa_danc :eusa_danc

Dave

 

[DavidF]

Yea, yea!!!! Good idea!!!! I like where you're going with this!!! Of course, just a little sample won't do... you will, of course, need to take a look at the whole stack - you know, whatever is left over!!! :jealous:


:lol:

yeh, 50 Bdft ought to be enough:lol:

Next lunch meeting Dave, bring a piece.

 

[Travis Porter]

I happen to have another chunk of this mystery wood about the size Dave got . Should I start an auction?:drunken_s