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Engraved serving boards make wonderfully unique, personalised gifts. You can engrave names, personalised messages and even drawings suited to the person you’re giving it to, or a design that you like! If you’re looking to create the perfect D.I.Y. gift for a loved one, keep reading this handy guide from Bunnings Warehouse.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glass, ear muffs, gloves and mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
To begin, select a flat piece of wood for your project that’s free from major cracks and knots. You can have any size and thickness, so have a play with mini or large serving boards to suit the person’s taste. For safety and ease of use, choose a piece of wood that will sit nice and flat when completed.
Now it’s time to choose your design! You may want to write a personalised message, the person’s name or even draw a picture. Sketch out your design on some paper or print one off. With a pencil and transfer paper, carefully trace your design onto the board. Alternatively, if you’re a confident drawer you can sketch your design directly onto the board.
Prepare the space for soldering in an area away from children and pets. Lay down the stand provided for your tool or find a heat-proof surface to rest your soldering iron. Making sure your iron is off and cool to touch, attach the correct nozzle to the end of the iron - you’ll be able to play with different thicknesses depending on the shape of the nozzle. Turn the iron on and allow 2-3 minutes for it to heat up. It’s good practice to always return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use.
On an offcut piece of wood, do a few test runs so you get used to the tool and you can see the results that different pressures and nozzles can achieve. Once you’re happy, carefully trace your design with the soldering iron on to your board. Start lightly and go over the pattern a few times to achieve a bolder, clean-cut look.
To finish off, sand the board lightly to remove any rough spots if required.
If your serving board is intended for food, apply a food-grade sealant with a cloth or paint brush. Alternatively, if the board isn’t for food, you can go ahead and apply a regular sealant. The sealant not only nourishes and protects the timber, but it enhances your design too. Allow the sealant to dry completely before moving on to the next step, you may need a few coats depending on the size and thickness of your board.
To finish off your board, pick out handles that are best suited to your design and board aesthetic. Once the sealant has dried, use a pencil to mark out where the handles will go and drill into these marked areas. Next, insert the screws through the underside of the holes and directly into the handles, tightening them with a screwdriver.
And there you have it! A personalised serving board ready to be wrapped up and presented as a lovely gift.
You’ll find everything you need at Bunnings Warehouse. Speak to one of our friendly team members to ask them about our range of wooden boards and soldering irons today.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
