As a dedicated woodworker, the accumulation of wood scraps is an inevitable aspect of the craft. Given the current high costs of wood, including myself, many woodworkers tend to regard these remnants as valuable commodities, stashing them away beneath the workbench or in the less illuminated corners of the workshop.
To mitigate waste, I employ a proactive approach before embarking on each project. Taking a few moments to devise a cut list meticulously allows me to optimize material usage, thereby minimizing unnecessary leftovers. Wood species methodically sort the remaining sizable pieces and neatly stack them beneath my workbench, ensuring their potential for future utilization.
However, the challenge arises with the smaller fragments, particularly those derived from expensive and rare exotic wood. In such cases, I collect them in a designated bucket, reserving them until a convenient moment arises for transformation. A common practice I employ involves bonding these diminutive pieces together and employing the lathe through a technique known as segmented woodturning. This process entails joining segments of wood and crafting them into various items on the lathe.
With the festive season approaching, I decided to channel these efforts towards crafting wooden ornaments in anticipation of Christmas.
