There are endless possibilities for designs with end grain boards. With some coaching from fellow Facebook woodworking group members Justin Jaynes and David Haas Howard, I've been working on some batches of kaleidoscope boards.
The boards are made by starting with a large face grain board comprised of different species of domestic and exotic hardwood separated by strips of ash. The board is then ripped into several identical pieces, and each piece is then rotated 90 degrees. Strips are again interposed, and the rotated pieces are glued to create another face grain board. The process is repeated two more times with the final rip cut set at 15 degrees.
The final face grain board is then cross cut into multiple pieces which are then rotated such that the grain faces upward, resulting in an end grain board. Pretty tedious, but the end result makes is all worth it.
The kaleidoscope strips can be used as accents, or they can be joined together to create one large orderly chaotic board.
Random widths of wood are selected:
Ash strips are placed between the hardwood segments:
The board has been ripped, and the pieces rotated with new strips placed between the pieces:
The board has been cut and rotated again with new strips placed:
The final rip cuts have been made at a 15 degree angle with new strips placed. Each side will be squared off with the table saw:
The board is cross cut on the table saw sled. The width of the cuts determines the final thickness of the end grain board.
Two opposing crosscut pieces rotated 90 degrees so that the end grain is facing up:
Two pieces can be used with solid boards for accent. These will be priced $175-$200.:
Solid board with 10 pieces (This one has been sold):
Beveled edges made with table saw at 45 degree angle (before oiling/ waxing):
