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Laying Out The Shape

The layout for this project is quite straightforward in the sense that the rectangular part of the chopping board is already cut to shape. Therefore, the only substantial shaping (that needs laying out) is in the handle.

Firstly, find the midpoint accross the width of your blank and trace a line along the length. This will help ensure a symmetrical chopping board. Then lay out the shape of the handle by sketching with a pencil on one side of the centre line only. You can lay out the other half once this side is cut to shape.

On this chopping board, Paul makes the handle about 4 ¼” long (108mm) and 1 ¼” wide (32mm) which drops to 1” (25mm) at the narrowest point. Note that these are only the widths of one half of the handle and they’re not critical. You can vary the shape and size according to the blank you’re using.

Find the centre across the width of your blank
Find the centre across the width of your blank
Mark the half way point on both ends
Mark the half way point on both ends
Join the two pencil marks with a straight line as a reference for symmetry
Join the two pencil marks with a straight line as a reference for symmetry
Draw the shape of a handle to one side of the centre line only
Draw the shape of a handle to one side of the centre line only
Carry the line from handle to the outside edge to create the 'shoulder'
Carry the line from handle to the outside edge to create the 'shoulder'

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