Step 1: Watch an Overview Video

Step 2: Gather Your Materials and Tools

Materials and Tools:

2 spruce boards
2 pine boards
measuring tape
chop saw
table saw
push log
joiner
planer
dado blade
wood glue
clamps
pencil
mineral oil

Step 3: Measure and Cut the Boards

A knife block keeps knives sharp and safely out of the way.

Measure and cut boards, using chop saw to determine length of block. Combine different grains of wood.

Use table saw to rip width of boards to size. Use push log for safety on smaller boards.

Step 4: Unify the Wood

Run each board through joiner to square lumber, remove warps and unify wood.

Use a planer to take unevenness out of wood, and smooth and square boards.

Mark widths of slots on two center pieces.

Step 5: Make Cuts

Add dado blade to table saw and make first cut for slot. Dado blade will make uniform cuts.

Shift board and run through dado blade a second time to create full width of slot.

Tip: There are zero cuts on the outer boards; all slots are cut in inner boards.

Step 6: Glue, Clamp and Condition the Wood

Glue pieces one by one and stack them.

Clamp pieces together until glue dries. Wipe off excess glue before it dries.

Angle base of block at 15 degrees.

Use mineral oil to condition wood.