Scrap Wood

[jacric2005]

Is it just me? Every time I think of getting rid of scrap wood, or throwing smaller pieces on the burn pile, something comes up that has me using some of the scrap wood. My mind even invents projects that could use it. That said, I would appreciate seeing your methods of storing, thoughts on using, etc. Thanks.

 

[CoogarXR]

I pretty much burn everything under 2ft. Anything bigger gets put in my scrap pile and eventually gets used.

 

[lilredex]

A couple of projects to keep you busy...

 

[nadogail]

Welcome to the club of Scrap Wood Savers.

 

[karoc]

Never realize how much scrap wood you have or just stuff till you start preparing to move. I don't really save to much framing type wood(I do have some) but its hard to burn hardwood.

 

[txvwnut]

I did not realize how much off cuts(scrap) I had until I changed work benches. I made a pile that was definitely going away, I found myself picking from it the other day. I generally keep anything that’s six inches and longer anything else is supposed to go.

 

[ScottsGT]

I think I’ve made one thing from scrap, and it was all larger pieces that was either drops or wood bought and not used. All my scraps get cut into 6-8” and split into starter wood for my fireplace.

 

[Don1357]

It is 29f outside right now and I need to continue nailing tongue and grove siding. Trust me, I have the most perfect use for the scrap wood on my burn barrel next to me.

 

[F451]

Never realize how much scrap wood you have or just stuff till you start preparing to move. I don't really save to much framing type wood(I do have some) but its hard to burn hardwood.

No kidding. And I'm not even that much into home repair projects or woodworking. Got rid of a TON of scraps when I moved. Immediately missed them in the new place.

Now I'm slowly accumulating again.

Have a crew over building a new deck and roof over the new deck. Couldn't resist snagging some sweet 8x8 blocks and glulam beams scraps. No place to keep them, but couldn't pass them up, too handy to have around.

 

[Jayman17]

I struggle with this as well. Problem is storing it but it is really nice having the scrap when it's needed. I need to draw a line somewhere...

Jay

 

[Don1357]

I struggle with this as well. Problem is storing it but it is really nice having the scrap when it's needed. I need to draw a line somewhere...

Jay

As of ten minutes ago I'm stacking it like this.

There is a point of diminishing returns, where the cost of materials doesn't overcome the cost in real estate and organization. If your time just keep getting taxed moving around stuff or not having a place to do something it is costing you too much.

 

[Rich M.]

Wood. You will never, ever need it until you do. Never fails.

Little hint: Have you ever bought something that you once got rid of?

 

[captain14]

Wood. You will never, ever need it until you do. Never fails.

Little hint: Have you ever bought something that you once got rid of?

Is there a minimum number to your question?

 

[Innovate1]

I am just going through this myself. Seems like I am always needing a few pieces for something and not having to run somewhere to get them is handy. Finishing up my garage so lots of lumber and plywood cutoffs. I saved some of the bigger pieces but have to limit myself or it gets out of hand. I have to remind myself what the cost of replacement is - for most it is pretty low. The small lumber cutoffs get cut up for kindling. A bunch of the rest went on the burn pile. Seemed a shame. Offered it to a friend but he already had enough. Have to consider storage space it takes up too.

 

[Innovate1]

Wood. You will never, ever need it until you do. Never fails.

Little hint: Have you ever bought something that you once got rid of?

I think it's a corollary to Murphy's law. You need it right after you decide it has been sitting around too long and toss it.

 

[Don1357]

I am just going through this myself. Seems like I am always needing a few pieces for something and not having to run somewhere to get them is handy. Finishing up my garage so lots of lumber and plywood cutoffs. I saved some of the bigger pieces but have to limit myself or it gets out of hand. I have to remind myself what the cost of replacement is - for most it is pretty low. The small lumber cutoffs get cut up for kindling. A bunch of the rest went on the burn pile. Seemed a shame. Offered it to a friend but he already had enough. Have to consider storage space it takes up too.

I keep based on what I have space for. I have a nice area for lumber, so I can keep long pieces of 2x4, 2x6, and the like. It makes no sense to keep small pieces of that sort of lumber because you can just watch CL for 2 days and go get a bunch from somebody doing a remodel or cleaning their personal hoarding of them.

 

[moab11]

This was one of my covid projects in the spring, It's amazing how much it holds and how easy various scraps are to access and use. My dad liked it so much that I ended up making one for him.
It's 2ft deep, 5ft long and 4ft tall. Left side shelves are approx 12x12, leaving room for 4ft scraps of plywood and such in the big compartment on the right. tall skinny pieces get stuck in the vertical bins.

 

[Copymutt]

Yesterday I used several short sticks for shelving to hold coffee cans full of nuts, bolts, washers, bolts, lag bolts, carriage bolts etc. Day B4 used a few pieces to prop up a mower deck for major repairs. I’ve even purposefully bought sheets of severely delaminated plywood as it’s the quickest best kindling for the wood stove. It helps to have lots of under cover storage that’s inconspicuous. I wouldn’t have that clutter in my garage. I keep a few bits of wood, steel,pvc etc in an old wire milk crate.

 

[Ralf11]

You guys haven't distinguished between structural lumber and cabinet grade hardwoods, or trim...

 

[Stuart in MN]

A couple of projects to keep you busy...

Another YouTube channel that's good is Pask Makes, he has a playlist he calls Scrapwood Challenge. https://www.youtube.com/c/PaskMakes/playlists

 

[Done That]

Been cutting a bunch of stair stringers, need to figure out a wren house or something for all the scrap I'm generating.

 

[19Vert64]

Tend to only keep longer pieces and burn the smaller one’s. Grabbed a couple of these rack on clearance at Lowe’s a few years back for like $15 a piece


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[dkroth]

Grabbed a couple of these rack on clearance at Lowe’s a few years back for like $15 a piece

If you had some extra scrap wood you could have made them yourself and saved $30.









.

 

[19Vert64]

Bought all 5, kept two and sold the other three on ebay for $45 a piece. Pretty sure I did ok


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[Chem1]

Moab11,
That looks awesome! I am going to steal that idea!

 

[brianh]

I have a hard time throwing any away or burning it. The stuff I use for making furniture that is.
So I make smaller stuff like cutting boards.

I also fill up a big bin and give my friend that does a lot of wood turning a call to come get it.

If I saved it all I would not be able to move in the shop.

 

[pmiranda]

Anyone have a good use for the triangles cut out from stringers? I kept some PT ones for a few months but never really came up with a use and chucked 'em in the trash, since you can't burn them.

 

[HenryAZ]

I always keep a few scraps around (wood and plywood) to use as sacrificial pieces to clamp underneath a work piece when drilling through holes. Other than that, less than a foot long (or .5 sq. ft. for ply) I throw out. I also keep a few small pieces of very thin material (such as 1/8" or 1/4" stuff) to use as shims.

When I used to work in a millwork shop, we had a free wood box outside that always attracted scroungers. Our test for "free wood" was if it wouldn't make a blind slat (1/4" x 1 3/4" x 18", or plywood edge banding (1/2" x 13/16" x 18"), then it went into the free box.

 

[mmb617]

Many times I've been saved a trip to the store by my scrap pile. Small projects often don't need anything other than what's already on hand. I've been known to design a project around what I have if it will still function ok.

I don't know if that makes me cheap or lazy. Maybe both?

 

[CraigStu]

When we moved 7 years ago I threw out most of my scraps. Worst move ever since maybe 2 weeks in the new house, I had to go buy stuff I know I had thrown away. Our move 1.5 yrs ago I moved scrap wood. Not all of it, but a LOT more then the previous move.

 

[bdbecker]

Having a few things on hand is never a bad idea. How much you hold onto really depends on your circumstances. Growing up, we lived on a rural acreage. We had plenty of space to store stuff and running to town was a minimum half hour trip. Now I live in the suburbs and work out of a two car garage, but I can be at Home Depot or Menards within 5 minutes. I still hold onto some stuff, but its a lot less than it used to be.