LESLIE: Now we’ve got Betsy in Vermont who’s working on a project for the kitchen. How can we help?
BETSY: I want to build a 2×3 cutting board. Should I use plywood and then what is food-grade linseed oil and where would I find it?
TOM: Oh, that’s an interesting question. So you want to build a cutting board and well, plywood – I guess you could but I would much prefer to see you use a hardwood.
LESLIE: Mm-hmm.
TOM: So you would probably want to use an oak or a maple or a birch or a poplar.
LESLIE: And what’s interesting. If you choose one of those types of wood you can get simple 1×1 or 1×2 stock lumber and stack them all together so you almost get that butcher block feel.
BETSY: Mm-hmm.
TOM: And in terms of the finish on it, you can use vegetable oil …
LESLIE: Mm-hmm.
TOM: … which is fine. Made tons of cutting boards over the years with just vegetable oils. Or if you get a food-grade linseed oil you may have to order that from a specialty shop because you’re not going to find it at a hardware store or a home center but that certainly is another option.
BETSY: OK, so I go for birch, oak or …
TOM: Or walnut. You know, one of the hardwoods. Poplar. Yeah, but plywood’s going to be too soft for that.
BETSY: OK, thank you much.
LESLIE: Got a home improvement problem? Got a home improvement dilemma? We can help so call in your home repair or your home improvement question 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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