Creating a custom cheese slicer with the Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit is an enjoyable woodworking project that combines functionality with creativity. This project is perfect for beginners and seasoned woodworkers alike and makes an excellent gift or addition to your kitchen. Follow this step-by-step guide to craft a unique cheese slicer that’s as beautiful as it is practical.

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Why Choose the Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit?

The Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit simplifies the process of crafting a cheese slicer by providing high-quality hardware, including the cutting wire and arm. This allows you to focus on designing and building a stunning wooden base that’s fully customized to your preferences.

Benefits of using the Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit:

• Easy to assemble
• Durable, professional-grade hardware
• Allows full creative control over the wooden base design

Materials Needed

Wood for the Base:

• Hardwood such as maple, cherry, walnut, or teak (dimensions: 8-11 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 3/4″ inch thick)

Hardware and Finishing:

• Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit
• Food-safe wood finish (e.g., mineral oil, beeswax, or food-grade cutting board finish)

Tools Needed

• Table saw or circular saw
• Drill and drill bits (as specified in the kit instructions)
• Router (optional, for edge detailing)
• Sandpaper (60-grit to 220-grit)
• Clamps
• Measuring tape
• Pencil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Select, Cut, and Prepare the Wood

Choose a durable hardwood for the base to ensure longevity. Cut the wood to size (approximately 8 x 6 inches) and sand it thoroughly.

• Decide how many pieces (or possibly 1 single piece) and design for layout of board.  In my case I used strips of walnut, maple, and cherry.
• Rip strips of wood to length.  In my case 11″ long.
• Glue and clamp up the boards in the desired pattern.  I used an exterior rated glue, as I wanted to ensure it was water proof.
• I used 7 clamps with mine.  Increase or decrease based on size of your project.
• Lastly cut the board to a finish length.  In my case the final size was 7″ x 10″.

Step 2: Sanding

After Glueup you’ll want to sand your project.  I like to use a square power sander, but this project is small enough that sanding by hand is easy enough.

Tips for accuracy:

• Start with 60-grit sandpaper to smooth rough surfaces.
• Finish with 220-grit sandpaper for a silky-smooth finish.

Step 3: Drill Holes for the Slicer Hardware

Refer to the Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit instructions for hole placement. Carefully mark the spots with a pencil and use a drill to create precise holes.  The hole will need to be 3.75″ in depth using a .25″ drill bit.  I used a spade bit with my drill press.  The hole needs to be put 5.75″ from the bottom of the board per the kit instructions.

Tips for accuracy:

• Use a drill press if available.
• Ensure holes are perpendicular to the wood surface.

Step 4: Cut a Kerf

Cut a Kerf into the finish cut board that 3/8″ inches deep, and cut it 3″ from the end of the board per the kit instructions.  The width of the cut is the width of a saw blade (1/8″).

Step 5: Add Edge Details (Optional)

For a professional touch, use a router to round over or chamfer the edges of the base. This adds elegance and makes the slicer more comfortable to handle.  In my case I used a 1/4″ round over bit on the top of the board.  I like to route with my router table whenever possible, but that’s optional too.

Step 6: Apply a Food-Safe Finish

Protect the wood and enhance its natural beauty with a food-safe finish. Use a clean cloth to apply mineral oil, beeswax, or cutting board conditioner.

• Apply 2-3 coats for maximum protection.
• Let each coat soak in before buffing to a soft sheen.

Step 7: Assemble the Cheese Slicer

Attach the slicer arm and cutting wire to the base using the provided hardware. Follow the instructions included in the Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit to ensure proper tension and alignment.  This kit is VERY easy to assemble.  The wire slides into the kerf and attaches to the slicer arm.

Tips for Success

• Choose the Right Wood: Dense hardwoods like maple or walnut are durable and resist wear. Avoid softwoods that may dent easily.
• Double-Check Measurements: Accurate hole placement ensures smooth assembly. Measure twice, drill once!
• Keep It Food-Safe: Only use finishes labeled safe for food contact.

Why This Cheese Slicer Makes a Great Project

A custom cheese slicer is both functional and stylish, perfect for entertaining or gifting. By combining the Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit with your woodworking skills, you can craft a piece that reflects your personal style while providing a practical kitchen tool.

Final Thoughts

Making a custom cheese slicer with the Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit is a rewarding and straightforward woodworking project. Whether for yourself or as a gift, this project is sure to impress. With its professional-quality hardware and the ability to personalize the design, you’ll end up with a unique and highly functional piece.

So, grab your tools, select a beautiful piece of hardwood, and get started on your one-of-a-kind cheese slicer today!

Keywords: Rockler Cheese Slicer Kit, DIY cheese slicer, woodworking cheese slicer project, custom cheese slicer, food-safe woodworking, how to make a cheese slicer, woodworking gift ideas

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I recently completed a cheese slicer handle project with a Rockler cheese slicer kit, and the results were fantastic. The design allows the slicer to detach easily from the handle, making it very convenient to clean. For this project, I turned the handle from cherry wood, which added a beautiful, polished finish. Rockler’s cheese slicer kits are perfect for both beginner and experienced woodturners, as they’re easy to use, fun, and a great way to hone essential woodturning skills.

These kits make it simple to practice various woodturning techniques and create a functional, custom kitchen tool at the same time.

For anyone turning handles on a lathe, here are a few tips:

1. Use the Right Tool: Start with a roughing gouge to shape the handle, then switch to a spindle gouge for detailed work.
2. Secure and Align the Wood: Ensure your wood is centered and secure on the lathe to avoid vibrations, which can affect precision.
3. Smooth Sanding for Comfort: Sand down the handle, progressing from lower to higher grits, for a smooth, comfortable grip.

Overall, handle projects like this cheese slicer make a rewarding and quick project, especially when experimenting with different wood types like cherry!

If you make one of these be sure to post a picture of it over on the WoodLogger Facebook Page.  I’d love to see how yours turns out. (pun intended)

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Material List

• (1) Cheese Slicer Turning Kit (Rockler)
• (1) 2″ x 2″ x 6″ Wood Blank (I used Cherry)
• (1) Optional 3/4″ Turning Mandrel (Rockler)

Milling & Assembly

	This turning kit was a solid choice from Rockler.  The slicer is desinged to screw into the base and allows for easy cleaning.  I used an accessory mandrel to help with turning this.  For the wood I chose to use a block of cherry wood.
	The first step to get started is to find the center of the block on one end.  I used a center finder to help with this.  If you don’t have a center finder just use a ruler to mark an X off by drawing a line across each end.  The plan for this scoop called for hole to be drilled that is 3/8″ drill bit and drilled 1″ deep.
	Next up was installing the inset.  For this I used CA glue and used the included allen wrench to screw the inset into the wood.
	Although it’s an optional piece I would highly recommend using the mandrel that rockler sells for this kit.  It can be used for other kits that Rockler sells too.  I screwed in the wood to the mandrel and then turned the handle using a bowl gauge, and skew.
	After turning the handle I used a 5 pack of sanding papers that range from 150 grit sand paper to 600 grit.  I worked my ways through the grits and then moved on to waxing the handle.  For waxing I used EEE Ultra Shine and applied a few coats.  After that I applied a coat of Shella Wax.
	This turning kit turned out great.  It’s an easy to turn handle, and the kit has everything you need (minus the optional mandrel).  The easy to remove scoop makes it easy to clean and should last for years.

The post How to Turn a Cheese Slicer – Rockler Kit appeared first on WoodLogger.