For a relatively new woodworker, there aren’t many projects that come out better than you expect. You typically  have a vision, and your final project is close, but never perfect.  This is NOT one of those projects.  I am just so excited with how this set of cutting boards came out, I’m just pleased as punch with it!

It is a set of puzzle shaped mini-cutting boards (I used maple) that assemble together to form one large cutting board:
But the fun part is that any individual mini-cutting board can be used as a serving tray, and the notch in the puzzle piece shape can be used to hold a wine glass!  ISN’T THAT GENIUS!?


It is also great if storage space is a problem, since you can take the pieces apart and stack them and  they store with a tiny footprint. But if you need a large cutting board you could attach them end to end and have a long oversized serving board on a buffet or down the center of a table.
The beauty of this project is in it’s simplicity.. and it is great starter project for new scroll saw and router owners!  Since those are the only tools you need (a sander may help too!)

And there is little waste lumber, since the finished outside edges are the edges of your board.  (Which is great when you have to buy your wood by the linear foot.) 
I can’t wait to share just exactly how easy this was to make! 

Supplies:

• High Quality 1x8 Board (I used maple and I bought 3 linear feet.. you can adjust the length to however many pieces you want)
• Scroll saw or Band Saw
• Router with round over bit (I used a plunge router and freehanded it, but you could use a router table to make it easier)
•  (This can help you decide which one is right for you)
• Palm or Random Orbit Sander 
• A detail sander would be useful too for inside the curves, but I just sanded by hand '
• Food grade mineral or tung oil

Tutorial:

I first made a paper template of the male end of a puzzle piece and made a mock up out of cardboard to be sure the wine glass stem would fit without falling out or being too loose.

I traced the paper template onto the board repeating every 10 inches (making sure to start and end the board with the puzzle shape.
I cut the pieces out with the scroll saw making sure to stay as tight to the line as possible (If you are off then your pieces won’t be interchangeable.. they will only fit into their original partner. I used a router along the entire perimeter of the top to give it a rounded finished edge, and I sanded all the surfaces. 
I sealed the boards with FOOD GRADE mineral oil, although you could use any food safe finish. (I liked the natural wood color since I had paid so much for the nice clear maple!) 
This would be such a fun hostess gift and it is a great way to hone your precision cutting skills.  The entire project (4 mini boards) only cost me about $15 and tool less than an afternoon!