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I struggled a bit with figuring out the initial dimensions of lumber I needed to end at a specific cutting board size. Since end grain cutting boards require a lot of gluing and then rotating, it isn’t straight forward.
Come to find out, there is a way to calculate it.
Here is the LINK to the Google Sheet
Please download (or export) your own version to make edits. I won’t enable editing on the web version.
Check out my other Blog POST and YouTube Video about making a bunch of End Grain Cutting Boards
I like this tool but I can’t figure out how to use it. Seem to be too many inputs can you provide me some instructions on how you use it
Thanks
Mike
Mike,
Start with your Saw Blade Kerf Thickness. That should be a known value and constant (K). Then you need to ask yourself what you are trying to figure out.
The most useful scenario for me is this: I need to figure out how long (Lo) I need to cut my initial pieces based on some initial thickness (To) of my lumber. Keep in mind the Lo and To is not the rough lumber, but the size of the first glue up after milling.
Using the example in the post, lets say I want my final (end grain) cutting board to be 1.25″ thick (Tf) and 16″ long (Lf). I would measure the thickness of my rough material and lets say that it is a true 8/4 stock (2″ thick). I believe that after I mill the rough lumber, glue it up, and mill it again, I can maintain a 1.75″ thickness. So, that would mean that I need to cut my original pieces at least 13.625″ long(Lo). I would personally cut them to 14″+ since they may slide around a bit during the first glue up.
I hope that makes a bit of sense. It is pretty confusing.
Thanks, this helps a lot, i was trying to solve all boxes as one. I now understand they work independent. One more question. You solve for length, but you really never discuss width, why is that, is that not a box to solve.
thanks
Mike,
No need to solve for the width. It stays consistent. It is based on your first glue up and your initial material widths. For example if you have ripped 8 pieces and they are each 1.5″ wide you get a 12″ wide board when glued together. That width doesn’t change when you cross cut and “roll” the pieces to form the end grain board. Hopefully the colored visuals (in the post/sheet) make this a little more clear than my words.
Beau,
Great calculator. You mention N – number of pieces a couple of times. My end desire is to determine the number of pieces and length. Am I missing something?
Steve,
No, you are not missing anything. The N number of pieces in my calculator is referring to the number of strips you will cut after your first glue up is complete. The number of pieces initially glued together is the board width which doesn’t change during the cut and rotate process. Choose how ever many pieces you want based on your desired board width. Totally up to you.
A mobile app for this will be nice. I think I will make it 😀
Great idea. Good luck