Only a minor **** up this time...

[TORB]

Hi Good Peoples,

I have just about finished my first end grain board (only a couple more coats of 50% strength varnish required to seal it.) This first one will be for cheese, bickies, fruit etc.

I am quite pleased with the result but..... there is always a damn but! it is not as good as I would like it to be :sayitaintso: Most of the board is great, but if you have a gander at the attached picture, you will notice that three of the vertical (cross grain) cuts/joins have what looks like tiny holes in them.

The big question is what causes them and how do I stop it happening again.

Cheers
Ric

[artme]

Like it!:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

The "holes" that you refer to are a mystery to me?I can't even see them!!

[TORB]

Yep, they are hard to see at that size image. If you have a look at the "white" in the new attached image closely, you can see the gaps/holes as they show up as white. And they should not be there. :(

[groeneaj]

I wouldn't worry about it too much mate (I can't even see the holes), it's going to be cut into soon anyway.

I'd like to see a pic of the whole board - I like making end grain boards too!

[HOOKED.UP]

One problem, might be your saw blade. The more teeth on your blade, for fine work, the better. Course blades can cause a little bit of tear out. That might be what you are looking at.
You could do a lot more sanding or planing to overcome your problem, if you want perfection.
I think the job looks fine in your photos, and has been said, you will mark the top up pretty quickly with usage, so I would not worry too much.

Paul.

[TORB]

Paul, I think you are right about the saw blade. I had already bought a top shelf one but had not tried it, but now I will do so.

groeneaj, I have attached the requested pictures. The first is the top and the second is the base.

I am thinking about eventually making a cut out in the top for two cheese knives.

[groeneaj]

Thanks for the pics, what timber did you use?

[Bernt]

I also think your "gaps" are tear/chip out from cutting. I don't think it is that bad, just unfortunate that it shows up white.

What glue did you use? If it is glue showing, maybe next time use something that doesn't show up white.

If it is not glue that is making it appear white. It is probably sanding dust from your finish. A blow out with air between coats will fix that.

Anyway, the board looks good!

[Bernt]

Looking at your photo's again, I think the dust from you finish is the issue. It also appears to be in the pores of some of your timber.

[TORB]

Thanks for the pics, what timber did you use?

Kwila, BlackButt, Manilkarra and one other.

Bernt, In answer to your questions. Re the glue, I mainly used Titebond III. However, to fill in some gaps after it was glued, I used some Sellys Polyurethane..... and I will never use that stuff again on wood as I hate the poly glue. It is responsible for some of the yellow staining that just would not come out, despite heavy sanding.

As far as dust is concerned, I doubt that the case. I vacuumed the job and then wiped it down with a damp white cloth and it came up clean. The most probable cause is the saw blade chip out. I will soon know as on the next one, I will be using the new blade.

[Bernt]

Good luck on this one! It probably was the glue in the gaps then if no dust.

[HOOKED.UP]

It will be interesting to see your next project, using your finer tooth saw blade.
I still think this is a nice piece of work.

Paul.

[groeneaj]

Kwila, BlackButt, Manilkarra and one other.

Bernt, In answer to your questions. Re the glue, I mainly used Titebond III. However, to fill in some gaps after it was glued, I used some Sellys Polyurethane..... and I will never use that stuff again on wood as I hate the poly glue. It is responsible for some of the yellow staining that just would not come out, despite heavy sanding.

As far as dust is concerned, I doubt that the case. I vacuumed the job and then wiped it down with a damp white cloth and it came up clean. The most probable cause is the saw blade chip out. I will soon know as on the next one, I will be using the new blade.

I got some offcuts of blackbutt that would be ideal sizes for chopping boards that you can have. Let me know

Andy

[TORB]

Thanks Andy, PM sent.