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Best use of Wood Scraps (That's NOT a Project!)

3496 Views 32 Replies 23 Participants Last post by JackDuren, 4 mo ago

wilschroter

Discussion Starter · May 6, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

Over time I'm getting more and more handy at giving my wood scraps a second (and third) life.

I'm curious what you're doing with your scraps to extend the lifespan on them that doesn't involve some silly project like a pencil holder. For example, joining two plywood scraps with some dominoes to build a bigger panel (I've done this a ton) or simply using them for shims.

There are probably a ton of good ideas/uses that I haven't thought of - would love to hear yours.

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

SMP

· #2 · May 6, 2022

Stick them in a box for "some day" . Then use said scraps to make a bigger storage bin for the increasing collection of scraps.

Reactions: 2

pottz

· #3 · May 6, 2022

well my rule for scraps is,exotic woods or burl woods,if its big enough for a pen i keep it.hardwoods anything 12" or longer i keep.soft woods anything 12"-24" i keep.the rest is trash bin.

WoodES

· #4 · May 6, 2022

I am working on cleaning out my scrap box. Should yield 10 to 15 chaotic end grain cutting boards in another month or two….

pottz

· #5 · May 6, 2022

I am working on cleaning out my scrap box. Should yield 10 to 15 chaotic end grain cutting boards in another month or two….

- WoodES

excellent,those will be worth at least 80-150 bucks each depending on size.,

WoodenDreams

· #6 · May 6, 2022

I've been cutting and gluing up scraps to make the tops and bottoms of Urns. Did start to save the small scraps in boxes. With the cost of boards nowadays. I'm going to take the time once and awhile, to cut them up into pieces for segmented pieces for Urns.

ManySplinters

· #7 · May 7, 2022

Brackets, fixtures, glue blocks, wedges, tool holders…

I've made multiple camera mounts, phone holders, USB power strip holders, curtain rods, feet to go under furniture, strengthen up a cheap dresser, printer stands, laptop stands, speaker stands. These aren't projects to me, just everyday things that I'd rather have in wood than plastic… Projects are what generate the scraps.

LesB

· #8 · May 7, 2022

I heat my shop with a wood stove so about once a year I go through my scrap bin and do a triage, or culling and marginal stuff goes in the burn box.

Random scraps turned into cutting boards or cheese boards and even coasters are fun to make but can be time consuming when you can only add a few pieces at a time during glue up. I found trimming and squaring up pieces on a table saw sled was the easiest way to work with and control all those relatively small pieces. It can be a real challenge to not form a lot of straight lines across the board because the human eye tends to pick them up right away and it sort of spoils the randomness of the board. One method for small cheese type boards is to make it extra thick (2 1/2"+) then when it is all glued up cut it in half (on a band saw) and you have two 1"+ thick boards.

BigMig

· #9 · May 7, 2022

Brackets, fixtures, glue blocks, wedges, tool holders…

I ve made multiple camera mounts, phone holders, USB power strip holders, curtain rods, feet to go under furniture, strengthen up a cheap dresser, printer stands, laptop stands, speaker stands. These aren t projects to me, just everyday things that I d rather have in wood than plastic… Projects are what generate the scraps.

- ManySplinters

Pictures, dude, pictures please!

Reactions: 1

Foghorn

· #10 · May 7, 2022

I have a green egg. Ever try Brazilian Rosewood smoked lake trout? Heavenly.

pottz

· #11 · May 7, 2022

I have a green egg. Ever try Brazilian Rosewood smoked lake trout? Heavenly.

- Foghorn

ahhhhhh…..........maybe not ?

Foghorn

· #12 · May 7, 2022

I have a green egg. Ever try Brazilian Rosewood smoked lake trout? Heavenly.

- Foghorn

ahhhhhh…..........maybe not ?

- pottz

Ha! A little bit fascetious but I have actually used some BRW scraps years ago for just such a thing. Nowadays it's more cherry, maple, hickory etc. or knife scales. tool handles, and various small wood things to reduce the scrap piles that I hold on to for way too long.

987Ron

· #13 · May 7, 2022

Small flat pieces back up for drill to keep from having tear out.
Test pieces for setting router bit heights, i.e. roundover bits.
Splines for box joints both internal length wise and cross visible decorative ones.
Clamping blocks so as not to mar the wood or to extend the clamping pressure.
Stain test strips.
for a few

pottz

· #14 · May 7, 2022

I have a green egg. Ever try Brazilian Rosewood smoked lake trout? Heavenly.

- Foghorn

ahhhhhh…..........maybe not ?

- pottz

Ha! A little bit fascetious but I have actually used some BRW scraps years ago for just such a thing. Nowadays it s more cherry, maple, hickory etc. or knife scales. tool handles, and various small wood things to reduce the scrap piles that I hold on to for way too long.

- Foghorn

ha, i thought you were joking ? i smoke a lot but i would never have even thought of that wood for smoking !

MrRon

· #15 · May 7, 2022

If you're a model railroader like I am, no scrap of wood goes to waste.

WoodES

· #16 · May 7, 2022

I am working on cleaning out my scrap box. Should yield 10 to 15 chaotic end grain cutting boards in another month or two….

- WoodES

excellent,those will be worth at least 80-150 bucks each depending on size.,

- pottz

With the amount of work that I have put into the project and probably about 1000 pieces of scrap of various dimensions and 1-5/8" long (to allow for a final thickness of 1 -1/2") I'll probably be making about 50 cents/hour.

Anyway, I just finished gluing up the individual pieces this week into strips this week, now off the initial shaping then gluing them pieces into ever larger blocks to get them into cutting board sizes.

I can't recommend making boards this way, but the pieces are usable and I don't have a lathe or a woodburning fireplace….

Thus, these will be given to family and friends so I can enjoy the true value of the effort.

pottz

· #17 · May 7, 2022

I am working on cleaning out my scrap box. Should yield 10 to 15 chaotic end grain cutting boards in another month or two….

- WoodES

excellent,those will be worth at least 80-150 bucks each depending on size.,

- pottz

With the amount of work that I have put into the project and probably about 1000 pieces of scrap of various dimensions and 1-5/8" long (to allow for a final thickness of 1 -1/2") I ll probably be making about 50 cents/hour.

Anyway, I just finished gluing up the individual pieces this week into strips this week, now off the initial shaping then gluing them pieces into ever larger blocks to get them into cutting board sizes.

I can t recommend making boards this way, but the pieces are usable and I don t have a lathe or a woodburning fireplace….

Thus, these will be given to family and friends so I can enjoy the true value of the effort.

- WoodES

so true,people will say the price we wanna charge for our time and material costs that it's too much.how does a simple woodworker compete with commercial or shall i say chinese production.everyone loves custom home made products but wont pay for what it's worth !

Woodmaster1

· #18 · May 7, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

2

The picture explains what to do scraps.

Wood Art Heat Gas Fire

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pottz

· #19 · May 7, 2022

2

The picture explains what to do scraps.

- Woodmaster1

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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ManySplinters

· #20 · May 8, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

22

Pictures, dude, pictures please!

- BigMig

Alright, let's see what I've got:

Camera mount for my GoPro, used to inspect roof tiles from ground.

Wood Fixture Gas Machine Audio equipment

Another camera mount for using my video camera as a webcam.

Camera accessory Citizens band radio Reflex camera Gadget Cameras & optics

A phone holder for my missus, with space at the bottom to leave charging cable attached.

Wood Rectangle Computer keyboard Floor Flooring

A phone holder in my truck. Stands phone upright with a slot in front for the charging cable.

Wood Luggage and bags Rectangle Bag Bumper

A recipe holder that sits in the kitchen.

Bottle Wood Table Flooring Floor

A document holder for the missus.

Wood Flooring Floor Hardwood Wood stain

A little 2" by 2" dovetailed bracket to hold a modified IKEA led lamp.

Chair Wood Automotive tire Electrical wiring Bicycle part

A printer stand, leaves room to store paper.

Table Wood Publication Shelving Desk

A couple brackets (finger joints) and a chain pull for another led shop lamp (aimed at ceiling).

Wood Office supplies Rectangle Beige Table

Made a chip clip from some walnut (about 4" long)

Rectangle Magenta Pattern Fashion accessory Electric blue

From some firewood scraps in the yard, my mallet.

Wood Natural material Musical instrument Hardwood Wood stain

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1 - 20 of 33 Posts