![](https://rolandrolson.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220801_131342-01-1140x855.jpeg)
Chopping board-like coaster
This is possibly the easiest coaster to make, but still, it does what a proper coaster should do. It’s thick and protects the table from heat and cold. It also has a juice groove to hold water that comes from condensation when a cold drink is served on a hot day. Everything you would expect from a coaster is here but it looks like a miniature chopping board. In fact, this block of wood was cut off from an old chopping board that cracked and was removed from the kitchen.
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I started by cutting a disc out, using my jig saw. Next, I sanded the workpiece to the line and created something that looked like a perfect disc, but it wasn’t – I explain that later. Using a router and a parallel fence it came with, I cut the juice groove. I’ve done this before and it’s always worked fine, I only have to remember to keep the RPMs low to prevent burn marks (2 out of 6 on the dial). In this method, the notch in the fence follows the curve of the wooden disc and keeps the bit at a certain distance from the edge. In theory, a perfectly round outer edge gives a perfectly spaced-out juice groove. In reality, that ridge is not evenly thick and it needs sanding. The other possible reason for not getting a constant, even ridge is human error – the router is held in hand and may tilt a bit. Luckily, there is always plenty of material to sand off and get a perfect-looking ridge. There is only one setup in this method because the opening in the fence can’t be adjusted, but it’s worked in every application, so far.
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The bottom edge was rounded over and I applied hard wax oil. This particular product was very similar to water-based varnish and had to be applied like one. Probably, the coaster would work better without any finish – it could soak any water in, like a sponge, but unexpectedly it got its waterproof properties. I applied 2 coats with a light sanding in between – just like the label said. When it dried, I installed 3 rubber feet in pre-drilled holes. That made the coaster non-slipping.
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And so it was – a chopping board-like coaster – very original and very easy to make. It’s fully waterproof and heatproof too. I tested it with cold drinks and any condensation water can be simply wiped off with a cloth or left there on the surface, that doesn’t matter – it can handle it. Hot drinks served in metal cups do no harm either. So I can call the job done and enjoy drinks served on this coaster!
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