NCWA Woodworking Forum

[cerjor]

Where do you store the left over scrap wood from a project? I have a bunch of pieces that are 3/4 x 2 x 18 inches, give or take a bunch of inches. It seems too good to burn but I have now found a way to efficiently store it.

Chuck Robertson
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Chuck Robertson
Camano Island

[mikenew]

Hi Chuck,

A few years ago I made three plywood boxes just for this purpose. The boxes are made of 1/2" plywood and measure 18" wide x 24" long x 12" high. Each box has a number of 1/4" slots cut into the sides to hold a couple of vertical masonite dividers. I put 1-1/2" castors on the bottom of every box, so I can roll them under a bench to get them out of the way.

Small offcuts fit great in these boxes, usually inserted vertically unless they're really short. I use one box mostly for hardwood offcuts and another for small pieces of plywood and MDF. The dividers help keep things "classified," and I use one of the sections for short scrap 2x4s that get used for drilling, clamping, test joints, whatever.

The third box holds junk and mostly takes up shop space, but it's a mighty fine box just the same.

Cheers - Mike

[cerjor]

Mike,

Thanks, maybe I'll have to build one.

Chuck
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Chuck Robertson
Camano Island

[Nick Van]

I have a simple approach to the problem. I bought six small plastic waste baskets and store them at an angle on a storage shelf. I have them classified as to species and can store a bunch of wood up to 24" long. Works great!

Nick

[daduehning]

I'm really lo-tech. I have 3 or 4 carboard boxes stashed under benches and tools that I keep scrap in. The boxes are about the size of Mike New's, but not nearly as pretty. I try to keep hardwoods, softwoods, MBF and plywood scraps in different boxes. I also keep lots of really small stuff in a plastic box (actually, I think it's a cut-off kitty litter jug) on my benchtop to use for pads when clamping, etc. Some day I'll have to start burning some of it, but I'm too cheap to throw anything out that I might be able to use.
Doug

[Woodjet]

Chuck - first I built a box with wheels that I could pull from under the shelves on the side of my shop. Filled that. Then I built a rack for pieces that are a little longer. Filled that one too. Then I started using the empty salt bags for the pieces that I thought that I would use in the fire place. Filled those and counting. Also filled up several plastic buckets. Arrrrrrg. I just have a tough time throwing away wood and amazingly enough, I do did through those piles often and use some of the pieces. So, sorry, I am not much help! - Walter

[Charley Drake]

You have seen the cutting boards/clip boards at craft shows with strips of multi-colored wood joined together? The ones that make good presents? That's the scrap wood "storage" solution. Segmented wood turning works well too.

Charley Drake