Hi! So, I've been wanting to make a blocking board for some time now but I was overwhelmed with choosing the wood. My first thought was my local Home Depot, Lowes, etc. That alone was not motivating enough. I don't make enough granny squares to really need a blocking board.
One night, a thought came to me: I can use a cutting board! Almost all of them are made to be tough and it can handle the water I spray to wet block.
So I got on Amazon and searched for a cutting board. I wanted a budget friendly, thick 12x12 board (at least). I was flexible on the size. Most cutting boards were pretty thin. I was not willing to compromise on the thickness. Most of the boards I found was $40+ but this one was only $24.99 (at time of purchase).
I found a cutting board that was 17x12" board that was 1" thick.
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Now on to the rods. I wanted metal rods and found a couple of 4" sets. I love gold. so I wanted to brass colored rods but I also love copper so, I got both. The rods are 3mm. This means that I will need to use 1/8 inch drill bit, which I already have. Then my husband said I needed a drill press but I'm not spending that money! They range from hundreds to over a thousand dollars! yikes! I'm sure secretly, he just wanted one.
I found a drill guide and purchased that instead!
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SUPPLIES
17x12x1" Cutting Board
Drill with 1/8" drill bit
3mm x 4" Rods
100 grit sandpaper
Dishwashing sponge (to hold the sandpaper)
Ruler
Pencil
Awl
Mineral Oil
Wash Cloth
Step 1: First, you want to mark your board for where you want to drill. This board was not exactly 17" so it threw me off. Instead of starting at the center and go out, I just measured from the edge.
I wanted my holes 1" apart. I drew lines both ways so that I had 1" squares.
I used the 18" ruler to draw the lines with a pencil.
Next, you want to use the awl to puncture holes where the lines meet. I actually decided to make a few holes diagonally in an "x" from the center hole. You can place holes anywhere you want!
Now the fun part! Grab your drill and make sure you're using a 1/8" drill bit. I placed tape on the drill bit where I want to stop because I didn't want to put a whole through the bottom. Note: my tape got pushed up and one hole actually went through! I just eyeballed where I wanted to stop. By this time I was already familiar with where I want to stop.
Place the drill bit into the hole that marks 1/8" on the drill bit guide. Slide the guide up so that you can see where to place the drill. Slide the guide back. down and hold in place. Drill into board until where you marked the drill bit. I have to admit that I got lazy and didn't hold the guide down for some of the holes which made the hole drill in an angle(ish).
After you drill all your holes, sand the surface so it's smooth. Turn the board and try to get as much sawdust out as possible.
I cut the sandpaper in the size of a dish washing sponge and wrapped it around the sponge. Then I gently sanded the surface. This helps remove the pencil marks too.
After you clean off your board, you want to apply mineral oil on the board. I used mineral oil. because that's what the instructions said to use for the board. You can use peak oil or tung oil. I used a clean wash cloth to rub the oil on the board.
I love how it turned out! You may want to use the awl to reinforce the holes. Place the awl in the holes and gently move it in a circular motion so that you make the hole slightly bigger and this helps move any sand dust left inside the hole. I wish I had used a vacuum to suck up the dust from the holes. Next time!
Here's a video of what I did. I didn't initially record anything when I made this so I hope you still find it helpful!
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