Multi-Species Mix
Six species of 1″ strips converted to end grain — the scrap-bin classic that reads as a woven mosaic.
Strip layout to scale, left edge to right edge — heartwood tones from the species data the 3D preview uses.
| Finished size | 12″ × 15″ × 1 1/2″ thick |
|---|---|
| Construction | End grain (two glue-ups) |
| Strips | 12 |
| Species | Maple, hard (sugar), Cherry, black, Walnut, black, Oak, white, Mahogany, Honduran, Birch, yellow |
| Difficulty | intermediate |
| Est. lumber to buy | ≈ 3.9 board feet (incl. 15% waste) |
Opens this exact layout in the free designer — live 3D preview, printable cut list, and lumber cost at your prices. Edit anything.
About this pattern
The multi-species mix cycles six woods — hard maple, cherry, walnut, white oak, mahogany, and yellow birch — as 1″ strips, then converts them to end grain: crosscut the striped panel into 1 1/2″ slices, flip alternate slices end for end, and glue up again. Because six species cycle across twelve strips, the flipped rows shift the color sequence sideways and the top reads as a rich, almost woven mosaic rather than plain stripes.
It is also the classic scrap-bin project: any hard, closed-grain offcut that will yield a 1″ strip qualifies. Match species for similar hardness and movement — the six here all sit in a safe range — and skip open-pored or oily exotics that fight glue. Twelve narrow strips mean a lot of jointing and a slippery glue-up, so use stout cauls above and below the panel to keep it flat while the clamps go on. Expect this one to get the compliments.