Hey everyone! I'm new to cribbage and really excited about making my own cribbage board. I've never done any woodworking before, so I could really use some help. I picked up a Rockler template and I'm looking into what type of wood to use. It seems like hardwood is a good option, but I'd love some recommendations. Also, how should I seal the wood? Is epoxy the way to go, or is there something better? And when's the best time to drill the holes—before or after sealing? Thanks in advance for any tips! ?
3 Answers
Awesome choice with the Rockler template! I’d definitely stick with hardwood; walnut made for a beautiful board I made. Since you might not have all the heavy-duty tools, get S4S lumber (surfaced on four sides). Once you cut it to shape, use the template to drill the necessary holes. For sanding, work your way up through the grits—like from 80 to 120 to 180. For sealing, an oil-based finish is great. Try out hard wax oils; Rockler carries some solid options! Just mix and apply; it cures in about a week. Happy woodworking!
Check out this [making cribbage boards video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl1vy8haTro). It's super helpful, and the first part taught me a bunch already!
I loved that video too! Thanks for sharing—I’ll watch the rest of it later!
After you drill the holes, definitely do a final sanding or planing. It’ll help achieve a smooth finish, since there might be some tearout around the holes. And about the pegs, you can find tons of unique styles online, so have fun picking some out!
Also, if you can, use a drill press for those holes. It’ll make sure they’re straight and evenly deep.