Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
had in the past have failed at the joints.
The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
shots from a cleaver.
Any advice appreciated.
On Feb 7, 2:23 pm, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
> Wed, Feb 7, 2007, 8:31am (EST-3) [email protected] (RayV) hath
> been intimidated and queryeth:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has had
> in the past have failed at the joints. <snip>
> Any advice appreciated.
>
> I would like to know exactly why she has decided she wants a one
> piece. How aboutasking here exactly what is her reason, rather than "I
> guess".
Because she wants one piece.
Talk some sense into my MIL... Hmm, requires me to be smarter than my
MIL and my lovely wife at the same time. Now I really need some
advice.
Wed, Feb 7, 2007, 11:51am (EST-3) [email protected] (RayV)
<snip> Because she wants one piece.
Talk some sense into my MIL... Hmm, requires me to be smarter than my
MIL and my lovely wife at the same time. Now I really need some advice.
If 'twas me, I'm thinking I'd tell her to track down a big enough
chunk of suitable wood - something cutting board safe, to buy it, and
you'll make it for her. I'd also tell her I didn't think it'd work out
well, but it was her choice.
Or you could cut one out of plywood.
JOAT
Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will
acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.
- Johann Von Schiller
On Feb 7, 10:31 am, "RayV" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
Assuming you can find a piece large enough, and thck enough, you can
rout the cleats into the piece. No need to glue, screw, attach
separate cleats/feet. Start with a piece 2" thick. Rout the middle
section to 1.5" for instance. Leaving 1" on either end at the full 2"
thickness. Built in cleats/feet. No attachment method to figure out
or break. Now whether you can find a large enough piece for this
project or whether the board itself will split, etc. is a different
question with a different answer.
On Feb 7, 11:31 am, "RayV" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
My sympathies go to you...
I would start by asking her to find a picture from a catalog or the
internet of what she has in mind. It may dawn on her that it really
isn't done.
Short of that, tell her you will make a smaller version of a glued up
cutting board for your wife and demonstrate (over 5 years) how glue
really can hold nicely if done right. If it falls apart after 5
years, tell her you will make one to her specs.
On Feb 7, 11:31 am, "RayV" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
It's easy. The trick, Ray, is in the finish.
Ask her what kind of wood she wants. You should be able to get it in
one piece, if you get it as rotary cut veneer.
Now, the finish. Get some of that stuff they use on old tables in
bars or restaurants. You know, the stuff that they usually put on
1/4" thick or so. Pour some on one side and let it cure, then do the
same on the other side. Kep flipping and finishing until you get that
veneer up to the 2", 4" or 6" that she wants.
Pretty simple, really.
John Martin
On Feb 7, 11:31 am, "RayV" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
Run fast, run far..... DO NOT LOOK BACK... :-O
I just can't shake the image of a man being led to the firing squad on
this one... :-) He's marched out of the shop.. failed cutting board
discarded on the side, cigarette hanging from his lip, and the
blindfold loosely tied about his neck...
Ok, I'm really curious what your MIL is planning on doing with this
sizable piece of chopping space? Considering that most counter tops
don't run 30" deep... Where's she gonna put the beastie?
That's a boat load of empty space to chip, chop, slice, and dice on...
On Feb 9, 11:48 am, "bremen68" <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Feb 7, 11:31 am, "RayV" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> > meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> > had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> > The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> > big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> > like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> > or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> > Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> > end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> > This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> > shots from a cleaver.
>
> > Any advice appreciated.
>
> Run fast, run far..... DO NOT LOOK BACK... :-O
>
> I just can't shake the image of a man being led to the firing squad on
> this one... :-) He's marched out of the shop.. failed cutting board
> discarded on the side, cigarette hanging from his lip, and the
> blindfold loosely tied about his neck...
>
> Ok, I'm really curious what your MIL is planning on doing with this
> sizable piece of chopping space? Considering that most counter tops
> don't run 30" deep... Where's she gonna put the beastie?
>
> That's a boat load of empty space to chip, chop, slice, and dice on...
She usually puts the one she has now on the table to:
chip, chop, slice, dice, cleave, roll, etc things like whole chickens,
pizza dough or a 1/4 of deer. She is at or above 70 years old so the
cleaver isn't that much of a concern.
Based on the advice so far the plan I have come up with is get some
Maple, 5/4 or thicker, edge glue it with epoxy (either T & G or a
spline) making it a little longer than needed. Then trim a little off
of each end to reattach for the cleats with dowels. I shouldn't have
to worry about splitting since the grain would run the same direction
and it would be the same boards
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> RayV wrote:
> > Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> > meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> > had in the past have failed at the joints.
> <snip>
> As the old saying goes, you can't get there from here.
The endgrain slab off a big old tree has possibilities. You'd probably
want to go at least 2" thick though, and possibly more.
> BTW, use 7/8" stock, assemble, then head to the top shop and let them
> run it thru the drum sander to bring it to size.
I've seen objections to using sanders on cutting boards, the theory
being that it can leave grit embedded in the wood and this is bad for
fine knives.
Chris
RayV wrote:
> Talk some sense into my MIL... Hmm, requires me to be smarter than my
> MIL and my lovely wife at the same time. Now I really need some
> advice.
This once ... and maybe ONLY this once ... YOU are the expert here. You
don't have to be smarter in all realms ... just this one.
Bill
--
Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that there is one
rascal less in the world.
Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)
http://nmwoodworks.com
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Wed, Feb 7, 2007, 8:31am (EST-3) [email protected] (RayV) hath
been intimidated and queryeth:
Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has had
in the past have failed at the joints. <snip>
Any advice appreciated.
I would like to know exactly why she has decided she wants a one
piece. How aboutasking here exactly what is her reason, rather than "I
guess". I betcha any she might have fail in the past, and woodworking
glue was used, it wasn't the joint that failed, it was the wood.
By the way, in case you can't talk some sense into her, and she
still wants a one piece, I'd make her pay for the woo, because I betcha
a chunk that size, and thick enough to hold up, isn't going to be real
cheap. It'll be heavy too.
JOAT
Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will
acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.
- Johann Von Schiller
No matter how you go about building this, you're going to be in BIG trouble.
If you make it the way she wants, and it fails, you are a lousy woodworker.
If you make it the right way with many small pieces of maple glued together
so the surface is end grain, you are in trouble, because you didn't make it
the way she wanted it made. If you don't make it at all because you can see
what's about to happen to you, you're in trouble with both the MIL and
SYMBO. No matter what, you lose. It's one of those times in life when no
matter what you do you're going to be the bad guy.
When put in this situation I always try to stall and educate the consumer
before proceding. (don't stall too long though). Try to explain why cutting
boards are made of short pieces with the end grain facing up. Show them (MIL
and SYMBO) how butcher blocks are made that way and explain why. Also try to
explain why cutting boards can't be put in the dishwasher or soaked in the
sink. Hopefully they will begin to understand why their cutting boards have
failed in the past. If you succeed in this, then you can build one the right
way and it will last a long time because they won't abuse it trying to get
it clean.
My wife ruined 2 small cutting boards with the dishwasher shortly after we
got married 42 years ago. She also insisted on scouring cast iron frying
pans no matter what I said, until my cousin (the professional chef) agreed
with what I was telling her about the proper way to clean them. I haven't
(and won't) ever make her a cutting board because she still insists on
scrubbing them (even though she has learned not to put them in the
dishwasher). She buys a new cheap chinese cutting board every 3 years or so
when her's begins to come apart, and I let her buy it because it's the
safest way to live with her. I would love to make her a nice one, but I know
she'll ruin it, and then there will be many heated words said by both
parties. For mutual survival, it's just not worth doing it.
--
Charley
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Feb 7, 10:31 am, "RayV" <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> > meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> > had in the past have failed at the joints.
> >
> > The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> > big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> > like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> > or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
> >
> > Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> > end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
> >
> > This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> > shots from a cleaver.
> >
> > Any advice appreciated.
>
> Assuming you can find a piece large enough, and thck enough, you can
> rout the cleats into the piece. No need to glue, screw, attach
> separate cleats/feet. Start with a piece 2" thick. Rout the middle
> section to 1.5" for instance. Leaving 1" on either end at the full 2"
> thickness. Built in cleats/feet. No attachment method to figure out
> or break. Now whether you can find a large enough piece for this
> project or whether the board itself will split, etc. is a different
> question with a different answer.
>
On Wed, 7 Feb 2007 18:20:30 -0500, "JRY" <[email protected]>
wrote:
How about buying her a big Epicurean brand cutting board. Dead flat,
will survive the dishwasher with no trouble.
The lady wants a one piece cutting board give it to her.
The one who stated to use a slab of maple large enough was in the right
frame of mine.
I would find a maple log that was just cut down in the past day or so thats
the right diameter thats larger than what she wants.Have 2 "rounds/slabs"
that are about 2-3inchs thick cut from the log.
Put out in an unheated garage (you do not want it to thaw out too quickly
if its frozen) and paint some poly or someother sealer on the tops and
bottoms but DO NOT SEAL THE BARK SIDES.
Every few days go out and put some more poly sealer on it.Repeat until the
sealer doesn't penetrate anymore.
Wait a few months to a year and if it was done properly you will have a
airdryed nonsplit "round/slab".
Once its dry cut and plane it to the size you want.
I have done this myself and it comes out just fine.
Didn't make a cutting board but a coffee/end table that had some great bug
marks scars from where the bark was.
"Martin K" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:kZryh.9074$xu4.564@trndny04...
> RayV wrote:
>> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
>> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
>> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>>
>> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
>> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
>> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
>> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>>
>> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
>> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>>
>> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
>> shots from a cleaver.
>>
>> Any advice appreciated.
>>
> Here is one site that may be able to have a slab of maple. But
> as someone else noted.... bring money.
> http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/index.html
>
>
>
>
In article <[email protected]>, Chris Friesen <[email protected]> wrote:
>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>> RayV wrote:
>> > Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
>> > meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
>> > had in the past have failed at the joints.
>> <snip>
>
>> As the old saying goes, you can't get there from here.
>
>The endgrain slab off a big old tree has possibilities. You'd probably
>want to go at least 2" thick though, and possibly more.
No, it doesn't. It WILL crack, and crack badly, as it dries.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
"RayV" <[email protected]> wrote
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook.
Sounds like a material I once read about somewhere. It's on the tip of my
tongue...
NO! It was the tip of a MOTHER-IN-LAW'S tongue! :-)
Wait a sec... 30"x30"?? Assuming you could find a slab that square (or
round) that was maybe 6/4 thick so it would stand up to a cleaver...
...she'll almost certainly never be able to lift it.
Are you sure she's really not asking for a nice butcher block top on a
rolling stand of some kind?
J.
RayV wrote:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
>
> RayV <[email protected]> wrote:
>>Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
>>meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
>>had in the past have failed at the joints.
> <...snipped...>
>
[snip]
Actuallly my first check was with Google, which provided several sources.
It's also easy first-hand -- go to any big city and find a good Oriental
grocery or market. They should have cutting boards or chopping blocks made
from the cross-section of a tree. These have been used for Chinese food
preparation for ages. I found one on the internet at
http://www.wokshop.com/HTML/products/cleavers/cleavers_knives_choppingbl.html;
the same item seems to be pictured at
http://shopping.msn.com/results/shp/?bCatId=5174,minPrice=0,maxPrice=129.99,av=3499-4574894,page=2.
These appear to be made from a single piece of wood, and you're cutting into
the end-grain. You'll also find a lot of butcher-block style round chopping
blocks made of multiple pieces.
If you go into an authentic Chinese restaurant you'll see the cook cutting
up the bbq pork and ribs on this style chopping block. Regards --
RayV wrote:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
<snip>
As the old saying goes, you can't get there from here.
Machine some 3"-4" wide stock with tongue and groove construction,
assemble with epoxy, and the gates of hell will freeze shut before a
joint fails.
A piece of maple will split before a joint fails.
BTW, use 7/8" stock, assemble, then head to the top shop and let them
run it thru the drum sander to bring it to size.
Lew
[email protected] wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Feb 7, 10:31 am, "RayV" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
>> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
>> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>>
>> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe
>> be big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
>> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
>> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>>
>> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of
>> the end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>>
>> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
>> shots from a cleaver.
>>
>> Any advice appreciated.
>
> Assuming you can find a piece large enough, and thck enough, you can
> rout the cleats into the piece. No need to glue, screw, attach
> separate cleats/feet. Start with a piece 2" thick. Rout the middle
> section to 1.5" for instance. Leaving 1" on either end at the full 2"
> thickness. Built in cleats/feet. No attachment method to figure out
> or break. Now whether you can find a large enough piece for this
> project or whether the board itself will split, etc. is a different
> question with a different answer.
>
>
Finding the wood is no problem. You just need to find the wood dealer
first. And look through his 'specials' area. And be prepared to part
with a few pictures of Benjamin Franklin.
Not something I'd do. Get her a copy of the Williams-Sonoma catalog, or
one from Sur La Table, and point her to the Boos Brothers work. Smile.
Patriarch
"RayV" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
{snip}
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
{snip}
Just asking!!
Any bets that a monster that size and thickness will warp or twist over
time? Even with cleats? I don't think there are many maple trees big
enough to get a quarter sawn plank that size are being harvested these days.
Least wise not that we hobby woodworkers would be able to find.
I could be wrong.
Phil
In article <[email protected]>,
RayV <[email protected]> wrote:
>Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
>meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
>had in the past have failed at the joints.
<...snipped...>
One word: PLASTIC
--
Contentment makes poor men rich. Discontent makes rich men poor.
--Benjamin Franklin
Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf.lonestar.org
On Thu, 8 Feb 2007 02:27:53 +0000 (UTC),
[email protected] (Larry) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
>RayV <[email protected]> wrote:
>>Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
>>meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
>>had in the past have failed at the joints.
><...snipped...>
>
>One word: PLASTIC
Yeah, it occurred to me that he might want to get some solid surface,
epoxy some maple veneer on all sides, and then encapsulate that under
a layer of Kevlar and more epoxy. Let's see her bust _that_ sucker.
RayV wrote:
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
>
Here is one site that may be able to have a slab of maple. But
as someone else noted.... bring money.
http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/index.html
On Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:02:57 -0500, "J."
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Wait a sec... 30"x30"?? Assuming you could find a slab that square (or
>round) that was maybe 6/4 thick so it would stand up to a cleaver...
>
>...she'll almost certainly never be able to lift it.
>
>Are you sure she's really not asking for a nice butcher block top on a
>rolling stand of some kind?
Plant a maple tree under the kitchen. Keep it well watered and well
lit. When it's 30 inches in diameter saw it off.
>RayV wrote:
>> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
>> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
>> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>>
>> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
>> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
>> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
>> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>>
>> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
>> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>>
>> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
>> shots from a cleaver.
>>
>> Any advice appreciated.
>>
With "specs" like that, your best bet may be going to a Counter Top shop and
inquiring about a "sink cut out". Then epoxy the required cleats where you
want them. That's an expensive route to take I realize, but may satisfy the
MIL and the SWMBO both. .
Bill
"RayV" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
>
"RayV" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Key to this question is *my MIL* wants a one piece cutting board,
> meaning not made of glued up boards. I guess because those she has
> had in the past have failed at the joints.
>
> The monster she wants is not of ordinary size 30" x 30" would maybe be
> big enough. It should also have cleats on opposite ends and sides
> like a bench hook. So the question is IF I can find a slab of Maple
> or similar that size would it be stable enough with the cleats?
>
> Maybe a better way to go would be to find a round picee cut off of the
> end of giant tree and cut it square then add cleats.
>
> This will of course be subjected to moisture, knives and occasional
> shots from a cleaver.
>
> Any advice appreciated.
>
Maybe you should tell her that the failure was because of improper care of
the surface. Solid one piece will fail more quickly in this environment.