Woodwork: DIY Live-Edge Cheeseboard Workshop

Create your own stunning, handcrafted cheeseboard with our Woodworking courses in Sydney!

Looking for a unique, creative hands-on project? Join this beginner-friendly live-edge cheeseboard workshop to craft a food-safe board you'll be proud to show off. You’ll learn essential woodworking skills, explore beautiful natural materials, and take home a cheeseboard that's as practical as it is stylish.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this live-edge cheeseboard-making workshop, you should be able to:

• apply basic woodworking techniques to shape and finish timber
• safely operate saws, sanders, and routers
• select and design a cheeseboard from live-edge timber
• apply a food-safe finish to timber projects
• complete a finished cheeseboard ready for use or gifting

After finishing this course, you might like to enrol in our Furniture Repair & Restoration workshop or Woodwork Course for Beginners.

Course content

What will be covered in this live-edge cheeseboard-making workshop?

Welcome & Safety Briefing

• Meet the instructor and fellow participants
• Overview of workshop goals and cheeseboard-making process
• Shop safety essentials: PPE, tool use, and dust control
• Quick workshop tour

Wood Selection & Design Planning

• Introduction to live-edge wood: types, drying, grain, features
• Selecting your own live-edge board
• Designing your board: orientation, handle style, optional add-ons like juice grooves or branding

Cutting, Shaping & Sanding

• Demonstration: trimming and shaping with saws (table saw, bandsaw, jigsaw)
• Participants shape and sand their boards
• Sanding progression: from coarse to fine grits for a smooth finish

Routing & Fine Detailing

• Demonstration: routing edges and adding juice grooves
• Optional branding of boards with initials or logos
• Fine sanding by machine and hand up to 400 grit

Finishing

• Learning about food-safe finishes: mineral oil, beeswax blends
• Applying oil to enhance wood beauty
• Buffing, curing, and final detailing with optional feet, handles, or leather accents

Intended audience

Who is this live-edge cheeseboard-making workshop for?

This course is designed for adults with beginner to intermediate woodworking skills. No prior woodworking experience is necessary, but enthusiasm for hands-on projects is a must!

Course venue

This course is offered at Redfern and Summer Hill Campuses. 

Course materials

Materials and tools provided:

• Pre-selected live-edge wood slabs
• Finishing supplies (oils, waxes, rags, buffing pads)
• Workshop tools (saws, sanders, routers, clamps)
• Safety gear (eye protection, ear protection, dust masks)

What to bring to class

• Closed-toe shoes
• Appropriate clothing that may get dirty

Additional information

Please note the following:

• Boards vary naturally — each participant’s project will be unique