Have you ever looked at those scraps of wood piling up in your workshop and wondered what you could make with them? We all hate to throw away good material, but sometimes those leftover wood pieces seem too small or oddly shaped to be useful. Well, I’m here to tell you there are tons of great scrap wood woodworking plans that will let you turn what seems like trash into handmade treasure!
In this article, we’ll look at different types of scrap wood that are perfect for DIY projects. We’ll also talk about places to find plans and inspiration when working with salvaged lumber. Finally, we’ll go through steps for prepping and cutting scrap pieces as well as creative ideas for turning them into cool home items.
| Key Takeaways | Summary |
|---|---|
| Salvaging wood is sustainable and affordable | Reclaiming lumber from old furniture, construction/demolition debris cuts project costs |
| Prepare materials before use | Remove hardware, sand smooth uneven areas of reclaimed wood |
| Find inspiration from many sources | DIY blogs, Pinterest, books offer scrap wood project ideas |
| Cut irregular pieces to workable sizes | Use power tools like jigsaws, miter saws, table saws to cut scraps |
| Build functional items from scrap wood | Construct furniture, storage, cabinets from mixed wood pieces |
| Craft decorative homemade goods | Make wall art, wreaths, candles, coasters from recycled boards |
Types of Wood Scraps Perfect for Projects
Not all wood is created equal when it comes to making things, so it helps to understand the different types of scrap you might have on hand:
Woodshop Offcuts
Whenever you cut wood from larger slabs or boards for another project, the leftover edges are known as offcuts. These range widely in size and shape. Triangular offcuts work well for making frames, smaller pieces can be glued together into cutting boards or coasters.
Salvaged Wood
Old wood furniture ready for restoration makes great scrap for new projects once you remove nails, screws, glue and any rotten sections. Reclaimed wood from old home demolition is also extremely popular for its weathered, aged look. Just beware of lead paint or other harmful chemicals.
The natural patina, stains, nail holes and textures make reclaimed wood perfect for rustic furniture or signs. Just sand smooth any sharp or dangerous edges. I once grabbed old barn wood off Craigslist to make a sweet farming-themed shadowbox!
Finding Inspiration for Projects
DIY and woodworking blogs are incredible sources for scrap wood project ideas. Sites like Woodworkhub showcase plans for everything from jewelry boxes to Adirondack chairs. Browsing sites like Pinterest you can find repurposed wood decor like candle holders, wall plaques and more. Join woodworking Facebook Groups to view images of items fellow hobbyists have constructed from salvaged boards.
There are also books dedicated exclusively to small wood crafts and scrap wood furnishings. Whenever I’m looking for inspiration, I browse my library’s collection of DIY manuals like “Big Book of Weekend Woodworking” by John A. Nelson which has chapters on projects using reclaimed materials. Compare ideas from multiple sources to find the perfect quick project for your wood pieces and skill level.
Prepping and Cutting Scrap Wood
Once you’ve selected the scrap wood projects you want to take on, the next step is preparing the materials. Here is a typical workflow:
- Wipe down any dirty reclaimed wood and remove nails, screws or staples
- Sand smooth any rough areas on salvaged boards
- Cut wood scraps to standard sizes needed for plans
- Use ruler and pencil to measure and mark cuts
- Clamp pieces steady and cut to size with jigsaw
- Further smooth edges with orbital sander
Make sure to work safely when handling irregular shaped scrap wood. Use work gloves when tearing down old furniture or structures. Wear eye protection like glasses or goggles when using power tools to trim materials.
I love my Makita jigsaw for making curvy cuts in scraps. And you can’t beat a power sander for smoothing weathered barn boards! Invest in quality safe tools if you’ll be prepping lots of salvaged lumber.
Creative Ideas for Scrap Wood Projects
Once your materials are prepped, the fun part begins – making stuff! There are endless options for repurposing cut-offs, recycled boards and other leftover lumber. Here are just a few creative ideas to get your brainstorming started:
Fun Furniture
Odds and ends of 2x4s, plywood or dimensional lumber work great for making stools, benches or shelves. You can build an outdoor storage cabinet from fencing slats and paneling offcuts. Mix colors and wood types for a funky chunky look!
Decorative Home Items
Reclaimed wood panels trimmed into geometric shapes make rustic wall art. Cut log rounds and tree branches turn into beautiful candle holders and vases. Use popsicle sticks and colored ice cream spoons to form holiday wreaths or a world map.
Sentimental Gifts and Crafts
Many people create family name signs from old pickets or barn boards as sentimental gifts. Glue colorful bottle caps into mosaics to decorate planter boxes. Nail mismatched frames together for a memorial photo collage. Cutting board scraps arrange nicely into custom coasters.
Get creative with the wood you have available! Even small leftover pieces layer well into trays, sculptures, boxes and more. Don’t limit yourself to traditional projects – letting your imagination run wild often produces the coolest results from scrap materials.
Key Takeaways
- Salvaging wood from old furniture, construction debris or demolition is extremely sustainable and cuts project costs
- Prepare used wood by removing hardware and sanding smooth any uneven areas
- Pinterest, woodworking blogs and DIY books offer endless inspiration for scrap wood projects
- Cut irregular pieces to workable sizes using jigsaws, miter saws or table saws
- Construct functional items like benches or cabinets from mixed wood scraps
- Craft decorative art, wreaths, coasters and other home goods from recycled boards and offcuts
With some vision and effort, those useless looking wood scraps cluttering your shop can be transformed into amazing projects adding charm to your home or joy as gifts. Get out there and rummage through old barns, construction dumpsters, thrift stores and more for your next wood source. Happy creating!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I source reclaimed wood on the cheap?
Check Craiglist, Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji for people selling or giving away old barn boards, fencing planks and construction debris. Watch for local home or barn demolitions where owners let scavengers take wood.
What kinds of scrap wood work best for beginner projects?
Pine, maple and oak offcuts are easy for novice DIYers to work with using just basic tools. Softwoods like pine and cedar cut easily. Reclaimed pine or oak boards make nice rustic signs. Avoid creosote telephone poles or chemically treated woods.
Can you explain how to build a picture frame from assorted wood scraps?
Yes! This easy scrap wood project uses pieces as small as 1-inch wide. Cut various wood types into 4 even lengths for frame sides. Mitre cut corners at 45 degrees. Check frame is square. Glue corners and clamp 30 minutes. Lightly sand then stain/finish as desired. Attach strong picture wire at back.
What is an easy way to evenly space out an irregular shaped mosaic made from scrap wood?
Start by tracing your mosaic design onto a solid backing – use sturdy plywood, MDF etc. Then temporarily tack small wood scraps around the outline spaced how you envision the final mosaic. Once layout looks good, number each piece and remove. Apply adhesive inside outline then glue numbered pieces into original positions.
I found strange old wood in my barn. How can I tell if it’s safe to use for projects?
Unidentified woods or really old salvaged lumber may contain harmful chemicals or dangerous hardware. Wear gloves and mask when inspecting. Scrape an inconspicuous area with a knife to test hardness. Smell wood – lingering creosote or chemical odor means don’t use! Odd markings may also indicate treatment. When in doubt, don’t risk your health – discard mysterious barn wood.
External Links
Need more ideas for reusing leftover lumber and worthless-looking wood scraps? These blogs, websites and books offer hundreds of project guides, techniques and inspiring ideas.
Top 5 Blogs for Scrap Wood Projects
www.shanty-2-chic.com – Fun furniture and home decor ideas from salvaged materials
www.funkyjunkinteriors.net – Creative upcycling ideas transforming scraps into art
www.creativediycrafts.com – Easy DIY wood craft how-tos with photos
www.thebudgetdecorator.com – Decorating fixes repurposing salvaged wood
www.remodelaholic.com – Builder’s tips for using reclaimed wood in homes
Great Books with Scrap Woodworking Plans
“Making the Most of Salvaged Lumber” by Andy Rae
“Upcycling Scrap Wood” by Rick Peterson
“The Reclaimed Wood Handbook” by Zachary Edelson
“Salvage Secrets Design and Decor” by Joanne Palmisano
“Unexpected Projects from Repurposed Scraps” by Tammy Kelly
Places to Source Inexpensive Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed Wood Traders Listings – www.woodtrader.com
Local Classified Sites – Craigslist.org or Facebook Marketplace
Old House Salvage Warehouses
Building Supply Stores Discount Rack
Demolition Companies and Architectural Salvagers
Instructables guide on "Scrap Wood Art" projects