what does everyone do with their exotic cutoffs?

[WoodChuckWoods]

I usually save everything, but i am running out of space. i dont want to throw it out and it doesnt seem like we have any highschool shop programs in my area. so i was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to not waste it?

 

[erock]

With a name like "WoodChucks"  and you don't throw anything away? [poke]

I try not to throw a lot of cut off away.  I like to use them for backers for the router table.  Or for clamping.

But then I get to a point where it drives me crazy having it around and I just "chuck" it into the dump.  The scrap bin fills up fast for me.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

most of my scrap is exotics like wenge, purpleheart, zebra, bloodwood, canary, etc.... i cant see throwing them out

 

[peter halle]

make small / micro projects with them?

 

[erock]

How about making nice plugs for screw heads?

Or some kind of inlay?

Or small boxes with hand cut dovetails?

Or test different finishes on them and save them and glue them to a piece of plywood and hang it on the wall for reference for upcoming projects.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

erock, i like the finishes idea i might do that with some as far as plugs go i could probably supply every foger with free plugs for life  [jawdrop].

 

[sw1211]

Do you have a lathe?  Segmented turning.

 

[waynelang2001]

Do you have a lathe?  Segmented turning.

Thats Exactly what I do when my off cuts take up to much room. Here are a few pics of the segmented lamps i have made.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Wow, nice scrap, Wayne!

Love the avatar, too; that's me, pre-coffee.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

Wow I'm going to buy a lathe tomorrow!! And keep all my scrap thanks

 

[woodguy7]

Pen kits are nice as well, if you have a lathe.

Lovely work Wayne, not seen much from you lately.  You been busy ?  Any nice projects to share  ;D

 

[waynelang2001]

Pen kits are nice as well, if you have a lathe.

Lovely work Wayne, not seen much from you lately.  You been busy ?  Any nice projects to share  ;D

Hi woodguy,

The end of last year was not easy, I had work coming out my ears, and the guy I had working for me had to move so I was stuck finishing everything off myself. On top of that my Carpal Tunnel is back. Hopefully this year will be a bit kinder and I can get some nice jobs in that I can share with you guys.

 

[Kev]

I just collect mine in various piles ... becoming homes to spiders and the like ... and generally annoy the wife!

 

[waynelang2001]

I just collect mine in various piles ... becoming homes to spiders and the like ... and generally annoy the wife!

I also have piles with spiders, but I dont think black widows are what i want in my shop.

 

[RONWEN]

Wayne, Now that is recycling at it's finest.  Instead of smoke and ashes you make keepsakes.  Great work!

 

[Sparktrician]

Thats Exactly what I do when my off cuts take up to much room. Here are a few pics of the segmented lamps i have made.

No insult intended, but the first thing that popped into my mind was an M. C. Escher print in the making... 

[big grin]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Wood stove.

I really refuse to keep something that is under 16".

It becomes to dangerous to work with.  Has to be 12" to run through the planer (butted) and I really don't like edge or face jointing something under 16" long.

I have burnt a ton of SA Hardwoods.  Ipe will give off some heat once you get it going.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

so i took everyones advice and made a little box today. the miters aren't perfect but its only the second box i've ever made, the next one will be better(i hope). my daughter loves it so thats enough to make me feel good about it  [laughing]

 

[PaulMarcel]

Nicely done inlay!

 

[Stone Message]

Dear Charles

I hate throwing anything away. My wood scraps go through a crazy but well ordered process...

- First they lay around the workshop wherever they were created - next to the saw mostly.

- Next, I tidy up and the potentially useful scraps go into a scrap rumage box. From here they may be used but otherwise stay in the box until the annual tidy.

- Any scraps deemed too small or rough for further use go into the firewood box.

I now use a cyclone to separate my wood dust and shavings. All of this goes on the compost heap. Only the man-made material dust (MDF etc) goes to the dump.

When I am between jobs I often have a dig through my scrap box and it is amazing what you can knock up in a very short time. Here are some examples from the last few weeks.

The clock is only 4 inches high and is made from walnut and maple. The movement came from a travel clock with a broken case. The handle is just a piece of brass tube with two bits of threaded stud soldered in and some miniature brass drawer pulls for the ends. You may remember that I did a video review of the OF 2200 router - that big beauty was perfect for all of this delicate work as it was so smooth and easy to use.

The tray is just big enough to take the two mugs of early morning tea. The sides are walnut and the base is a sample of Corian left over from a job 3 years ago.

The box is made of walnut with an inlay of (I think) maple. I made the stay from a leftover piece of flat brass.

I do not do wood turning any more (I was never good enough) but my one commerical success was made from small pieces of exotic wood left from other jobs. The gavel and striker are shown in their mahogany stand. I forget what the other woods were but I supect there is some cocobolo amongst it.

You can always store the scrap in your attic, in a garden shed or under the bed - I have used all of these methods during my career!

Take care,

Peter