What To Do With Woodworking Scraps: Ideas That Use Your Wood Cut Offs

7 inspirational projects that show what to do with woodworking scraps

What are you ever going to do with all that scrap wood?

It’s a question thousands of people have asked themselves, especially owners of a Woodland Mills portable sawmill. If you’re milling cants then you’re likely going to end up with a bunch of small scraps and miscellaneous stuff like offcuts from each side of the log, let alone any odd sizes of cuts you’re not sure what to do with. A bunch of scraps can accumulate quickly in a busy workshop, so it’s important to tend to your scrap pile to keep it organized and ready for use.

But the great thing about wood pieces like these is that there’s infinite possibilities. Small bits of wood are perfect for creative projects, and thin strips can become small projects like picture frames. Larger, flatter pieces could be used to make small boxes for storage. 

But if you want some great ideas on what to do with your off cuts, then you should look at these scrap wood projects from sawyers in the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group. Many of these projects can be easily built from scraps. These woodworkers know how to put different wood pieces to use, making cutting boards, planter boxes and other great ideas that put your wood scraps to use.

Round Resin Burl Charcuterie Board

John said he was growing tired of throwing out beautiful wood burls from his wood scraps, so he chose to put these cut offs to use by pouring them in a resin mold. These small pieces have unique shapes and grain patterns that pop with John's high quality finish.

Image courtesy of John S., from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Curved Corner Shelf

Often sawyers are looking for straight logs, usually the same size, to mill into lumber for their woodworking projects. But what do you do with curved logs like Dave's? He turned these scrap materials into a corner shelf, turning empty corner into a valuable storage space in his home.

Image courtesy of Dave A., from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Gardener's Harvest Basket

For smaller foot long scraps, Jessica had the great idea of making a basket for holding vegetables from her garden. The mesh on the bottom helps any dirt to sift through while you're carrying it, and the sturdy rope are not only reliable, but give it a beautiful country charm.

Image courtesy of Jessica L., from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Rough-Hewn Birdhouse

Why not help make homes for the songbirds around your property? Joseph put together a small birdhouse using rough cuts from his sawmill, and small items like this can help create a welcoming environment for birds on your property.

Image courtesy of Joseph Q., from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Scientific Vial Planter

Rich came up with a great gift idea for his wife, turning a small piece of scrap wood into a planter utilizing vials like a scientific lab experiment. It's a wonderful gift that's warm and inviting due to the soft edges and Rich's excellent finishing touches.

Image courtesy of Rich L., from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Stacked Coaster Set

A simple DIY craft you can make at home, Dustin demonstrated how he uses his wood scraps by sharing a coaster set he made in his workshop. These helpful little accessories for your dining or coffee tables are easy to make and can become wonderful gifts.

Image courtesy of Dustin B., from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Natural Garden Trellis

Using your off cuts from your sawmill to make garden trellises is really smart, because it uses longer cut offs from making cants and prevents them from going to waste. Plus they have a great natural look in your garden that will really pop when you have vegetables growing all over them.

Image courtesy of Staci T., from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Want to make your own scrap wood projects?

Woodworking with scrap wood is a rewarding way to turn leftover materials into something beautiful and useful. Whether you have a pile of boards from your last project or a collection of small pieces from your sawmill, scrap wood projects are a fantastic opportunity to get creative, save money, and reduce waste. From crafting decorative picture frames and cutting boards to building practical storage solutions, there’s no limit to what you can make with a bit of imagination and the right tools.

Getting started with scrap wood is simple.

• • Begin by sorting your wood pieces by size and type, setting aside boards that are straight and free from major defects

  • Even small scraps can be transformed into unique projects, so don’t overlook those thin strips or oddly shaped cut offs

  • Make sure to follow basic safety precautions, always wear protective gear, keep your workspace organized, and use sharp, well-maintained tools

With just a few essential tools and some inspiration, you can cover a wide range of ideas, from quick DIY crafts to more involved woodworking projects. Not only will you save on materials, but you’ll also discover the satisfaction of giving new life to wood that might otherwise go to waste.

Resources for scrappy woodworkers

Do you want to make your own scrap wood projects to make use of your off cuts? While there are plenty of uses for waste wood, including using it for firewood, there are excellent ideas out there for how to use different sizes of wood scraps to make great woodworking projects.

For some inspiration you should check out the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group, where tens of thousands of talented sawyers and woodworkers post daily, including sharing their own projects.

But for general tips for your own scrap woodworking projects, you should try:

• • Look at the leftover material you have left and see what things you actively need around your home or garden that could use wood cuts of that size

  • Think of what to do with little pieces of wood, like making wooden toys or puzzles for your children or grandchildren

  • Some species have wonderful grain patterns like cedar, so think of ways you can show that off

  • Ask yourself: do you want a decorative project or a useful one?

  • If you're decorating a building like a hunting lodge or cabin then use your off cuts for siding

  • If a cut isn't the right size then feel free to cut it down to size further, you can always use your off-off cuts for kindling