[Doug Ridley]

No matter how small they are they can usually be used for something. These are pinbacks made from Tupelo Gum scraps. They are approximately 2 and 1/2" long by 1" wide by 1/4" thick. Carved entirely with power for speed and safety. The pins are glued on the back with 5 minute epoxy. They are one of the few things Mary paints with acrylics as it is faster than oils and we sell them by the dozen to the gift shops. Though we only sell about 3 dozen a year it is a good way to salvage some of the smaller offcuts. I thought it might generate some ideas for someone.

[Thor]

Very good tip. You got so much detail in the little carvings and the painting is wonderful.
Thor

[Marci MN]

Wow I like those! *makes note to self to save scraps* Thanks for sharing!

I've been saving the chips and sawdust for bedding. They should work nice for chick bedding when the chicks start hatching in the spring.

[decoycarve]

Marci,
Be careful using the chips and sawdust around farm animals. Some animals are highly allergic to the toxins in some woods. I know walnut and cherry is bad for horses. I have been thinking about trying to make compost out of some of the sawdust. My roughout machine kicks out quite a bit of sawdust. I am a packrat at heart and for the longest time saved every scrap. Actually the blank that I sent for the CIJ thread were pieces that I just refused to throw away. I rent my shop and space is at a premium and I give a lot of my scraps away for kindlin wood.
Goody

[Just Carving]

I've been saving my scraps and chips for my brother to use in his wood burning stove. This way he doesn't need to spit a log into small enough pieces of kindling.

[MelNM]

Great idea Doug, I'll be doing that.
thanks
Mel

[wade clark]

Mel,
Doug's brother thanks you!
Wade

[Marci MN]

Thanks for the heads up Goody, I didnt think of animal allergies. I'm hoping baby chicks wont be bothered by them. I'll have to keep a close eye on them when I move them from incubator to brooder. This is where I'm hoping the smaller chips will be easier on thier feet.

Cedar chips would be a good one for doggy beds tho..wouldnt it?

And one other question... could any of these woods chips be ok to use in the smoker? Does anyone know?

Back to using scraps to carve.. I did two funky fish out of scraps today. I say funky cuz theres just no species that look like these. I'll have to paint them bright just to keep the cartoonish look in them. LOL

[Bandaid]

Hi Marci--cedar chips in a smoker are a no-no, the oil in the wood gives the fish and/or meat a terrible taste. Same goes for any fir or spruce wood. Berry or fruit tree wood are the recommended chips to use.

Reg

[Hugh]

Don't know if you have alder growing in your area, but I have used them for smoking pork and fish, and they do a very nice job. An Native girl from BC told me about this, her parents and grandparents smoked salmon with alder for yrs. I know its good, cause I like it.