How to Make an Exotic Hardwood Spreader

 This project combines two of my favorite things—beautiful woods and lovely kitchen utensils. I used a length of 1/8" thick bloodwood for this spreader. I love its unique coloring and graining and how it sands to an almost glass-like smoothness. If you're making any kitchen utensils, always be sure that the wood you select is food safe. 

I used these Proxxon tools:

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TG 125/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Precision Vice FMZ

Here's how I made the Bloodwood Spreader:

1. Print out the Spreader Pattern. Mount the spreader pattern on blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. The painter's tape makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank.
   
   
   
2. Cut the shape on the bandsaw, or you can use the scroll saw.
   
   
   
3. Use the disc sander to round the edges of the handle. Taper the edge of the blade to form a wedge with the bottom sanded into a knife edge.
   
   
   
4. Mount the Delta sander into the precision vice, and continue shaping and sanding the piece. Working on the mounted Delta sander makes fine detail sanding easier. Use progressively finer sandpaper grits—150 and 220.
   
   
   
5. Next, complete the piece with hand sanding use 320 and 400 grit sandpapers.
   
   
   
6. Finish the spreader with a coat of butcher block oil.
   
   
   

Enjoy your hardwood spreader!!

Carole

How to Make a Hardwood Cheese Spreader

Two of the things that I love—beautiful hardwoods and cheese—brought together. This cheese spreader/butter knife is a great project to get to know your machines.

Supplies and Equipment for Making the Hardwood Cheese Spreader

• 1/8" thick hardwood (I used curly maple); length and width will depend on the size of the spreader you design
• Food safe wood oil
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E
• Drill Stand MB 200
• Sanding bands
• Polishing tips

Instructions for Making the Hardwood Cheese Spreader

1. Decide on the size for your cheese spread. Mine is small—just 4" long x ½" at its widest. Design the shape you want using a computer design program, or sketch your design with paper and pencil. You could also trace the outline of a butter knife or cheese spreader that you already have, and make adjustment as desired. When you're happy with your design, print it.
2. Prepare your hardwood blank by covering with painter's tape. This makes removing the pattern easy.
   
3. Lightly cover the reverse side of the pattern with adhesive spray, and mount on your prepared wood blank. It is important that length of the spreader is parallel with the grain.
   
4. Use either the bandsaw or scroll saw to cut out the basic shape.
   
5. You'll have a rough shaped spreader.
   
6. Use the disc sander for initial shaping.
   
7. Change the orientation of the drill stand from vertical to horizontal. Insert a sanding band in the rotary tool, and mount in the drill stand.
   
8. Continue sanding the cheese spreader, refining the shape, and tapering the cutting edge using the drill stand and rotary tool fitting with a sanding band. If necessary, hand sand with fine grit sandpaper until the cheese spreader is as smooth as possible.
   
9. Change the sanding band to a buffing/polishing tip.
   
10. Liberally coat the cheese spreader with food safe wood oil. I used butcher black oil. Buff and polish the cheese spreader.
    

Carole