Had it mentioned to me why I haven't put juice grooves in any of my cutting boards. Because I didn't know how ! Got on the internet and looked for some jigs for this and came up with a few ideas for this one. I made this one for sizes from around 10×10 inches up to around 24×24 inches with any square or rectangle shape in this size range. The base is 1/2 inch ply, the sides were made of 2×4s and 1×2s cut and planed to the sizes I wanted. Measurements were for my Bosch plunge router but can be adjusted for ANY router. The upright 1×2 is moved in or out on the 2×4 piece to adjust from your center of the router to outside edge plus 1/2 the dia. of your bit plus how much space you want from your groove to the cutting board edge, I chose 1/2 inch. It is a lot easier to do than it sounds. Once I got the measurement I locked the upright 1×2 to the planed 2×4 with pocket hole screws ( nothing fancy ), and I wasn't worried about seeing the holes left. This also makes it easier to access them if needed. You just screw them to the base around your cutting board. Use the bit of your choice and make several light passes going deeper each time to the depth wanted. The board shown is the first I've done this to. This one is set for boards around 1 1/2 inches thick. I you used a thinner board, just put something under it to rise it level with the 2×4 or close. If your board is thicker, just shim the side rails higher to match the board.
Since the original post I have used this several times and have always had excellent results.
Nice Mel, I do the same thing. So easy, makes you wonder why you waited so long. Got to be careful in the corners so it doesn't burn, try not to stay there very long, keep it moving
Figuring out how to do something you have never done is what makes a good challenge.
I need to do that one of these days. Not so much for cutting boards I make, but once the neighborhood found out I have a planer, I’ve been rehabbing older wooden cutting boards for various neighbors, and being able to “put back” a juice groove that’s too shallow would be nice.
Dave - I did redo a groove for a lady in my neighborhood. Told her all bets were off on if I could do it, did a little adjustment on the jig and it actually came out nice. Mike
We used to make slab doors with a routed design in the front using the same method except adding a block in each corner of the frame. Just in case anyone can use the method someday.
Figuring out how to do something you have never done is what makes a good challenge.
