Scrap Wood And Boredom

Originally Posted by Leo G

Well....OK. Take 4 strips of each of the two different colors of wood. Cut 3 of each to whatever size you want the squares to be and cut the other two 1/8" wider. Glue them up in alternating colors making the wider boards the 1st and last of the boards. Let dry. Do a rough sanding to get rid of the glue and even things up, probably 80-100 grit. Then cut the glued up board against the grain so you get strips of alternating colors. Make the cuts the same as the smaller strips. Then glue these together, spinning each alternate pc to get the checker board effect. Being especially careful to keep the squares aligned. After this is dry sand off the glue and flatten it down. Then cut the extra 1/8" off of both sides. Make strips to surround the checkerboard. Miter them to fit and either pin nail or glue them on. Route a decorative edge on the surround. Sand to the desired grit and finish. See, simple.