Thread: Timber for chopping boards

Look if you did use treated pine at least you wouldn't have a problem with ants in the kitchen (sorry i couldn't resist)

Paul

Wongo,

I hear that Blackwood isn't recomended for chopping boards (then why are there so many of them in the shops?).

I think that the timbers you chose should be fine. If in doubt, stick a few splinters of each under your skin, and see what happens.

Ben.

Ps. not sure I'd want to eat food that was prepared on a Blackbutt. At least you didn't use Woolybutt

Thanks Ben, can you please tell me what’s wrong with blackbutt?

Wongo,

Slightly different subject but ....... did you make the boards out of a single piece of wood or did you laminate them? If you laminated them, what glue did you use?

Regards,
Mike.

Originally Posted by MikeK

Wongo,

Slightly different subject but ....... did you make the boards out of a single piece of wood or did you laminate them? If you laminated them, what glue did you use?

Regards,
Mike.

Mike,

They are from one piece of wood. If I was to laminate them, I would use titebond II or 2 part epoxy.

Wongo,
I've used spotted gum, blackwood and blue gum. I don't think there is a problem with any of the timbers you're planning to use. Blackwood dust is not good to breath, but then, what is? I'd beware of treated pine and oleander (!) and perhaps the badwoods site has details of others that are bad to consume by mouth. But you aren't going to be eating huge amounts from a cutting board.

Wongo,

The reason I asked the glue question was due to a concern of toxicity. I still have that concern with the glues you recommended. Anyone else have these concerns or am I just being a big worrier ?

Regards,
Mike.

The summary MSDS for epoxy resin says 'Ingestion may produce health damage (limited evidence)'
For Aquadhere, it says 'Exposure may produce irreversible effects (limited evidence)'

However, these are talking generally about the stuff while you are using it. The summaries don't say anything about dangers after it's been used, and I suspect that most adhesives (perhaps not contact adhesive) are going to be inactive once they've set.

You may be able to get a full Material Safety Data Sheet for these products from the manufacturers, or by subscribing to ChemWatch (sorry, haven't got a link and it's probably a bit expensive unless you're a commercial user.)

Ingestion of several chopping boards could also produce irreversible effects, no evidence.
A brass rod may also cause problems as could a stainless steel washer that fell off.
Some of these people really are professional worriers.
I seriously doubt that any timber used on a chopping board is going to cause problems compared to the nasties that reside in the grain when the board is not cleaned properly.
Treated pine excluded, although I love the taste of arsenic.

Alex,

Generally once these adhesives are fully cured, they are rendered inert. Can't comment on Titebond (which incidentally is not on ChemWatch), but epoxies are food safe once cured. Epoxies in the uncured state can cause skin rashes, sensitisation, allergic reactions etc depending on the routes of exposure. Wear gloves and wash your hands - no eye rubbing!

Of course, if you are sanding or cutting these materials, precautions must be taken to prevent the inhalation of dusts generated.

If I were making a chopping board, I would use a resorcinol-formaldehyde if using dark timbers, or an epoxy as a second choice.

As Iain suggested, I would be more worries about the chicken or meat residue ...

Iain,

I don't think that it's fair to label the group of people who ask a valid question about toxins as "professional worriers". There is no end to the toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis and using the expertise on this BB gives me the confidence to proceed with my projects.

BTW1 - I believe that the best practice treatment these days for treated pine is CCB (Copper Chromium Borate) vs CCA (Copper Chromium Arsenic) in the past.

BTW2 - I agree with you re the toxins associated with lack of cleaning of the board(s).

Regards,
Mike.

Without Prejudice
I did not label those who asked the question, only those who provide 'expert' evidence.
A little like social workers who have all the answers to the worlds socialogical problems with little evidence to back them up.
I accept the change of recipe for treated pine but still maintain that most adhesives as are timbers are safe for chopping boards.
I am grateful that you accept that chicken meat and others can result in a higher risk of infection (if I read correctly) than the risk of impending disaster from the toxic effect from a few seconds exposure to a redgum chopping board.

It might also be worth noting the apparent disinfecting effects of timber boards as explained in this thread.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...read.php?t=775

It is also interesting to note that end grain timber boards are approved for commercial use in the USA, the home of the ambulance chasing lawyer.

As for timber and glues, I am still using an endgrain cutting board that was made of cypress pine and PVA glue 25 years ago. It fell to bits temporarily this year when SWMBO put it in the bloody dishwasher.

Luke