Same Board, 3 years later.
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Two ToneD Brick and Mortar End Grain Cutting Board
After a positive result form the Brick and Mortar cutting board I made for my mom, I decided to take what I had learned and try make another for my partner, Alexa. This board would be larger, as well as feature two types of exotic colored woods; Purpleheart and Padauk (it has the red heartwood).
Required Resources: 8 hours, $50
Size: 16" x 16" x 1.5" Thick
Materials: Purple Heart, Padauk, Alder, Titebond III (Food safe wood glue)
Finish: Howard's Butcher Block Conditioner (Canuba + Bees Wax + Mineral) Oil
Tools: Table Saw, Stationary Belt Sander, Orbital Sander, Planer
New Techniques: Instead of resawing a thicker board into 0.375" strips for the mortar pieces, I bought some finished Alder stock of the correct thickness. While I'd rather use maple in a cutting board, the time saved by using the pre-cut and planed Alder was well worth it. This board went together like a dream.
Lessons Learned:
Fades to Black: When I first stated getting into woodworking I was transfixed by the exotic colored woods; Purpleheart, Padauk (red), Canary wood (Orange, Red, Yellow), etc. They were so unique and beautiful, I wondered why I hadn't seen much of them used in other woodworking projects before. After doing some research on line, I found out that colored woods, such as these, don't maintain their vibrant colors forever. Over time and especially when exposed to UV, Purpleheart turns black(ish), Padauk turns dark brown. Of course, mesmerized by the exotic colors, I chose to disregard all the warnings from forums online and went out to buy a dozen board feet of these woods and integrate them into projects like this cutting board. Turns out, the internet was right; It's been 3ish years since I made that cutting board and both the Padauk and Purple Heart bricks are similar shades of blackish brown. To preserve color in woods for longer, keep the projects out of direct sunlight, use multiple coats of polyurethane, or better yet use spar or UV inhibiting polyurethanes. Also, if you are concerned about a piece of stock that has changed color, plane off the top face. Likely you will uncover fresh and vibrantly colored wood just below the surface.