Filler for cutting boards?

[Wynterplace]

Hi everyone.

I was at a cafe the other day and they had tables similar to the one in the image below. I was wondering if the filler used is likely to be an epoxy?

If so, Is an epoxy suitable for cutting boards? Or would it be to hard for the knives?

http://i.imgur.com/XXvHXmZ.jpg




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[China]

Tables and cutting boards are two very different items, you don't use filler on cutting boards and quality cutting boards are always end grain.

[Rod Gilbert]

Hi Wynterplace,
Yes it is quite likely it is epoxy as it does a great job as it is very stable when set and can be tinted to suit the job. That said it would not be my recommendation for cutting board for the reason you said the knives and it would scratch and show marks. I would only use solid timber for cutting boards that didn't require filling.
Regards Rod.

[Wynterplace]

Yeah, I've rethought that post and was just in the process of editing it when you replied. I'm making some serving platters, not cutting boards... so was making them long-grain. I'll wait til I have some better wood so there is no need for filling.

I'm still interested in knowing what the filler on this table might be though. So f anyone can answer that question that would be great.


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[Wynterplace]

Just saw your post too rod, thanks for the reply. I'll look at epoxy fillers for the wood when I'm using it for a non-food related project.


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[hurcorh]

West system epoxy with black dye is a popular choice. This timber looks like Marri in case you were interested too. A WA timber. Looks nice when finished but can have lots of cracks to fill hence all the black epoxy. Cheers.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Yes, almost guaranteed to be a coloured epoxy. West System epoxy with some kind of synthetic powder or micro-balloon filler and dye is a possibility. If it were mine it would be using Bote-Cote Epox-E-Glue, which does not need any dangerous-to-inhale fillers as it comes as a great paste that you can add either spirit dyes or dry powder colours to. I use it all the time for cracks, splits and holes in a range of timber. The manufacturer calls it "thixatropic" and I've never looked that word up but it is a sticky paste that fills voids easily and doesn't run out like I found the West System did. For that advert I should get a cut from them but I don't, I'm just a customer of theirs!