What to make with small wood scraps
Short pieces under 18 inches pile up fastest. These builds use nothing longer than that.
12 projects that fit
Assuming a basic kit: circular saw, jigsaw, drill with hole-saw bits, sander and clamps. Enter your own pile for an exact match.
Coasters (set of 4)
Four square coasters from a short length of 1×4.
Phone stand
Two pieces and one angled joint. Holds a phone or small tablet.
Headphone stand
A base, a post and an arm. Most of the time goes into sanding.
Tea-light holder
A 2×4 offcut with three drilled pockets. A quick gift.
Toy car
A chunky car body cut from 2×4 with a curved roofline.
Door wedges
One diagonal cut through a short block makes a pair.
Garden stakes
Six pointed plant markers cut from thin strips.
Desk pen holder
A 2×4 block drilled with a row of angled holes for pens and pencils.
12″ spice rack, 3 shelves
A 12-inch wall rack with 3 shelves and dowel rails, sized for standard spice jars.
16″ spice rack, 3 shelves
A 16-inch wall rack with 3 shelves and dowel rails, sized for standard spice jars.
8×12 edge-grain cutting board
An 8-by-12-inch cutting board from 11 hardwood strips glued on edge, 1½″ thick.
6×12 serving board
A 6×12-inch serving board from a single 1×6 hardwood offcut, with eased edges and an oiled finish.
Tips for working with small scraps scraps
- Keep a bin for pieces over 6″ long. Anything shorter is usually kindling.
- Small parts are dangerous on power saws. Cut them from a longer piece where you can.
- Short hardwood offcuts are ideal for coasters, stands and small boards.