Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
If you’re making cutting boards and plan on gifting or selling them, you’ll want to avoid a very common problem: Warping.
But why does it happen?
Wood is always moving…its open pores constantly absorb and release moisture. And since cutting boards are often exposed to liquids, we’ve got to build them to move with it, not fight against it.
Here’s the rule:
If one side of the cutting board is releasing…or taking in…more moisture than the other, it creates internal stress.
It doesn’t matter if it’s long grain or end grain…when the movement is unbalanced, the board will twist, cup, or rock.
With long grain cutting boards, the grain runs along the top surface. To prevent warping, use thinner strips…each piece moves less, and the glue joints help spread that movement across the board. If possible, use quarter sawn lumber too, since it moves less across the face and adds even more stability.
With end grain cutting boards, the grain runs vertically, so movement travels up and down instead of across the face. They’re much more stable…but only if they’re built thick. If the board’s too thin, it’s far more likely to warp over time. Aim for around an inch and a half.
For both types, be sure to finish all sides evenly. If you add mineral oil to the top, you need to do the bottom and sides too. End grain boards especially need to be saturated thoroughly...they’ll soak up finish fast, and uneven absorption is a major cause of warping.
Use enough glue between strips to get a solid bond, but don’t over-clamp. Alternating the grain direction on each strip helps balance internal stress.
After they’re made, communicate that boards should be stored upright or flat on a rack. Like we mentioned earlier, if one side dries more than the other, that’s where warping begins.
One way to fight that is to add feet or runners to the bottom...just make sure that’s what the intended user actually wants.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
If you’re making cutting boards and plan on gifting or selling them, you’ll want to avoid a very common problem: Warping.
But why does it happen?
Wood is always moving…its open pores constantly absorb and release moisture. And since cutting boards are often exposed to liquids, we’ve got to build them to move with it, not fight against it.
Here’s the rule:
If one side of the cutting board is releasing…or taking in…more moisture than the other, it creates internal stress.
It doesn’t matter if it’s long grain or end grain…when the movement is unbalanced, the board will twist, cup, or rock.
With long grain cutting boards, the grain runs along the top surface. To prevent warping, use thinner strips…each piece moves less, and the glue joints help spread that movement across the board. If possible, use quarter sawn lumber too, since it moves less across the face and adds even more stability.
With end grain cutting boards, the grain runs vertically, so movement travels up and down instead of across the face. They’re much more stable…but only if they’re built thick. If the board’s too thin, it’s far more likely to warp over time. Aim for around an inch and a half.
For both types, be sure to finish all sides evenly. If you add mineral oil to the top, you need to do the bottom and sides too. End grain boards especially need to be saturated thoroughly...they’ll soak up finish fast, and uneven absorption is a major cause of warping.
Use enough glue between strips to get a solid bond, but don’t over-clamp. Alternating the grain direction on each strip helps balance internal stress.
After they’re made, communicate that boards should be stored upright or flat on a rack. Like we mentioned earlier, if one side dries more than the other, that’s where warping begins.
One way to fight that is to add feet or runners to the bottom...just make sure that’s what the intended user actually wants.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
