Comments on: Cutting Board Design Software – Viewer Project

By: Frank Kovach

Frank Kovach — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:53:08 +0000

I don’t have “THE SOLUTION” to the cutting board design issue, but I made two cutting boards following Marc’s design EXACTLY. Well, make that one and a half. The second I made thinner but I got a longer board out of it. Anyway, since then I have made a total of four. I have saved on my computer 12 different google sketchup files with 12 different final patterns that I thought I liked the looks of. I haven’t figured out a [easy] way to design from rough wood to finish product, but after a comical cutting board session in the shop (which I gave to my sister as a Christmas present) I figured out this rule of thumb: when you are cutting your initial rip cuts out of your stock, use as many different species as you want (my sister’s board used four). The width of your first glue up (minus any cuts to square up) is the width of your board. Your second round of cuts-the width of those cross cuts will be the depth of your board, and you figure the length by how many of those cuts you will be able to make. I don’t worry too much about making it the perfect size. So far all of mine have been different sizes, and that’s okay, in my book. But THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, if you want symmetry in your pattern, is to make sure you follow this rule: your first assembly must be symmetric! Whatever size you cut the boards to, this pattern must mirror itself. It sounds simple (and probably is-all of you are probably groaning at the idiot pointing out the obvious) but I just use what I call the mirror method. No matter what sizes I’m going with, I assemble from left to right, and when I reach the middle, I mirror what I just did to finish it out. Or, if you don’t want symmetry in your pattern, just do what I did with my sister’s board, and then call it “edgy.” :)

By: Frank Kovach

Frank Kovach — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:41:50 +0000

Don’t you mean sapwood?

By: thewoodwhisperer

thewoodwhisperer — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:23:04 +0000

Thanks for the kind words! Honestly, no, I don’t know of any place where you can check out the different patterns. But I have seen some really crazy ones. If you use a board that has both heartwood and sawwood in it, like walnut or cherry, you can get some AMAZING looking boards! But when trying new designs, I think you’re just going to have to experiment. You might even consider using some construction paper and playing with designs. Different color paper might help you visualize how things are going to turn out.

Thanks for checking out the site!

By: Moabite1978

Moabite1978 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:15:30 +0000

Can you suggest different butcher block patterns or a site where I can check out diff patterns BEFORE I start cutting my wood…thank you so much. Your Youtube videos rock!!! You gotta be kidding me, funny and super informative. Thanks!!!

By: CarversGallery.ca

CarversGallery.ca — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:33:48 +0000

Just wanted to say thanks. I am currently working on a cutting board and butchers block island for my wife and this tool is a great time and wood saver.

Thanks again!!

By: CrackPotWoody

CrackPotWoody — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:32:07 +0000

Jay,

I wanted to say Thank You for creating and making this available to us.

I make a lot of cutting boards, both endgrain and flat.

This will definitely be a tool I will use on a regular basis. It’s simple to use and gives a great visual before making a cut. I’m looking forward to creating some new designs.

I also like how you’ve been willing to take input from users and expand on it.

I’m looking forward to more enhancements. Keep up the great work.

Thank You,

CrackPotWoody

By: jeff s

jeff s — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:48:50 +0000

another software option is Lamination Pro for PC ( or Mac using Boot Camp )

http://www.woodturnerpro.com/software/lamPro.html

Lloyd Johnson a woodturner who developed the software for segmented turners. I saw the product demonstrated at the Segmented Turning Symposium held at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking (MASW) last November.

I could easily see using the software for cutting boards; Or for you period furniture folks who want to make your own bandings. Steve Latta teaches a Decorative Details class at MASW each year (stringing, bell flowers, cuff feet, bandings,etc. )

Hope this helps

By: Isidor

Isidor — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:20:17 +0000

Anyone have the software on vista??? I still cant download

By: Tim Dorcas

Tim Dorcas — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:37:34 +0000

I have been making a lot of cutting boards lately and using this application is critical for confirming my design decisions. It really helps to take cutting boards to the next level. Thanks!

Tim

By: Ken in KANADA!.. Eh!?

Ken in KANADA!.. Eh!? — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:05:52 +0000

It is a nice program! I would like to eventually see an expanded selection of woods but more importantly it would be really cool if we could add angle designs like 45 Deg. angles or segmented type of designs like you would see in woodturners segmented bowls and stuff. I realize that may take a bit of time to free up the design possibilities but once done it would be well worth it!!

Keep up the great work!