Looking for creative ways to utilize your woodworking scraps? Deano Builds has developed a guide for turning leftover wood into six unique projects that can be gifted or sold. These projects are perfect for woodworkers of any skill level and make fantastic gifts for friends and family.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Offcuts from previous projects
- Table saw
- Router table
- Rubber feet
- Sandpaper
- Wood oil (like orange oil)
- Drill
- Clamps
- Magnets (for the knife block)
- Brass hooks (for key holders)
- Velvet (for drawer lining)
- Wood screws
- Bungee elastic (for sunglasses holder)
Step 1: Create Slab Chopping Boards
Start with the simplest project: slab chopping boards. Deano recommends taking a couple of offcuts from slabs, squaring them up on the table saw, and using a router table to add a chamfer. Finally, attach some rubber feet, give everything a good sand, apply some oil, and voilà!
Step 2: Key Holders
Next up are the key holders, which are not only practical but also a great way to use up smaller offcuts. These holders are popular as gifts due to their functionality and small size. For an added touch, consider including inlays by using two contrasting colors of wood.
Step 3: Design Reading Glasses Holders
Similar to the key holders, sunglasses or reading glasses holders are another fantastic project. Deano utilizes bungee elastic for a simple yet effective solution. To finish these off, he adds brass hooks for the key ring holder.
Step 4: Make Coasters
Coasters are a woodworking favorite because they are easy to make and provide a great use for awkward-sized scraps. Deano emphasizes the importance of consistency in aesthetics, allowing you to create matching sets alongside other projects like the sunglasses holder.
Step 5: Build a Magnetic Knife Block
For a more advanced project, consider making a magnetic knife block. Deano shares that this was his first attempt, and he walks through the process of squaring up the boards, gluing them together, drilling holes for magnets, and finishing it off with oil.
Step 6: Create a Custom Tobacco Pipe Holder
The final project is a custom tobacco pipe holder, dedicated to his friends Rob and Emma. This project showcases Deano’s intuitive building style, where he allows creativity to guide the process. He constructs a drawer and incorporates some unique design elements to hold their collection.
In Conclusion
Deano Builds encourages woodworkers to embrace their offcuts and create something special. Whether you’re looking to gift these projects or sell them, they are sure to impress.