No Wood Left Behind. Part 3 Results.

Here are some examples of boxes made entirely out of wood scraps collected from students and craftsman's waste over the last while.

This first box was made of a single piece of Poplar milled into the 4 sides that are dovetailed together. The Lid was one piece of Hard Maple resawn and book-matched. Feet are 2 small miters glued together that came from one long strip.

This second box I am really happy with the results but also with the scraps I was able to obtain. Beautiful woods such as Mahogany, Quilted maple, Old growth Oak and Crotch Walnut and inner lining of Spanish Cedar. Lots of small details added allover the box. I used up close to exact amount of scraps I collected for this box with very little waste.

I love this next box! what an adventure and learning experience it was to build. It was built along side of other projects and worked on when the ideas and feeling was right. The box sits at 5" square with a pleasing proportionate height. Woods used are Black Cherry, Sweet Cherry, Hard Maple and Black Walnut. The time to build these boxes are certainly worth something. The woods used to build them is 0 dollars. The experience and satisfaction in giving these woods a new life for people to appreciate.... Priceless!! Make something from nothing! For someone for something :)

Rich

No Wood Left Behind. Part 2.

Continuing from my previous post I would like to complete my circle of thought.

Other uses for collected scrapes of varied sizes are Safety implements like push sticks, feather boards, jigs, stop blocks and test pieces. Its important to determine what will be worth keeping and what should to be turned back into carbon dioxide.

One thing to consider is that working with smaller pieces can present a risk of danger if using machines. So only use the pieces that you are certain to have safe means of doing so.

The reasons why small pieces of wood are disposed of are worth looking at.
In the mind of a professional craftsmen he would not be bothered with these small pieces because their is a project at hand, a time line and bills to pay. Usually he will have a stash of useful sized hardwood for Jigs, Push-Sticks and test pieces leftover from commissions. But more often then not they will just throw away great pieces.

As for students enrolled into a program or a lone craftsman I feel they should be well aware of the use of all wood, if its for the project at hand or off cuts to be for future use. For the most part students will be busy with reports, deadlines and main projects that most will feel they should not be bothered with such things. Most often their is not much care for the wood, just that the project is finished leaving many pieces behind. Whats important is to waste little and have a confident understanding on wood selection and estimation.

So by collecting select pieces you are saving on future materials for small applications that otherwise would have been cut from a larger board and producing more waste. Being an environmentally aware society we are there are many small ways we can all contribute. Truly this is not limited to scrapes, its about responsible use of this wonderful material.

In the next part I'll talk about the greater lessons and creative aspects when dealing with limited materials available and responsible use. If its a small off-cut of quartered White Oak to the long single board of eighty year air-dried Mahogany. Every..single..cut..counts..period.

Rich

No Wood Left Behind. Part 1.

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

While working with different craftsmen and students throughout the years, I couldn't help but notice the amount wood that never gets used.

What I mean by “wood that never gets used” is whats left when a project is finished. If the pieces are large enough they will be kept and stored until a project comes that demands minor amounts of material, Fine. It's the smaller pieces that get put in the garbage we're looking at, that with careful consideration can be given a second life. It is also a great way to start your own wood species collection.

As a young craftsman with limited money and tools I would build small projects with these scraps that would apply a verity of techniques while using multiple woods, all to test and expand my experience. While around craftsman and students there is no end to wood pieces available. I have found it very beneficial to collect some scraps but not everything I see.

I consider many possibility's of future use for building or adding to a project in a decorative accent, inlay, jewelery carvings, box feet. Or if its even worth my time and effort.

Heres a glimpse at some of my wood "scraps" collected from craftsmen and students. A wonderful assortment.

I will continue my post on “No Wood Left Behind” shortly. Please please stay tuned. : )

Rich

Alittle Introduction.

Welcome Everyone!

My names Rich and this is the first blog post I've ever done. I am glad I have finally gotten around in blogging. Being part of the generation that I am some would say its about time I blogged.

I have been woodworking for three years, slowly building up shop as I see fit with my experience and funds. I put large emphasis into the use of hand tools and in applying proper theory to start a solid foundation to build skills upon.

I'd like to talk about some of my experiences that I've had over the years leading up to the present. It has been a long and hard journey but a joyful one. Ill try to post in order of my experiences, but for the sake of web page material ill wright whats on my mind.

Things I'll be discussing in my future blogs are interesting facts about wood and working of the material, trouble shooting, layout and processing to finishing. I would also like to discuss micromanaging time and work...Organization and Efficiency is Key! It keeps the energy flowing. As well I'll be reviewing the hand tools and machines I use everyday.

Stay tuned! ill be adding regularly.

Rich